Rough running, lunges when accelerating?

1994 BUICK CENTURY
150,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MARYMARY58
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
On Mother's Day, a huge storm hit, and I ran through a huge puddle. It went up under the engine area. It wouldn't accelerate, especially uphill and ran rough. I had coil packs and spark plugs replaced as well as the air filter and fuel filter. My boyfriend had sprayed an entire can of carb cleaner on the mass air flow sensor before I took it to the shop. It ran decently for a couple of months and now it is idling rough and hesitating when accelerating. I wanted to replace the MAF sensor, but I thought the mechanic would have mentioned it and it ran fine after the coil pad and plugs were replaced. I keep thinking that's the problem. I also used heet twice when I filled up. Could that have clogged something up? It seems like it never was completely fixed.
Sep 22, 2023 at 6:54 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,240 POSTS
Hi,

If you disconnect the MAF, see if it runs better. If it does, replace the MAF. Also, have you checked for diagnostic trouble codes? If not, that needs done. It will point us in the right direction for a repair.

This vehicle and an OBD1 system and doesn't require a scan tool to retrieve codes. All you need is a short jumper wire or even a paper clip. Follow the directions in this link and let me know if you are able to retrieve any codes and what they are.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe
Sep 22, 2023 at 7:21 AM
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