Why does my Buick LeSabre chug and hesitate when it is first started?

Question

I have a 1994 Buick LeSabre, that starts and runs fine, however. If it has sat overnight or for a long period of time, when started it mildly revs up and down and "chugs". We live at the bottom of a small valley, and when starting to drive it, uphill, it will not accelerate properly and hesitates around 20 mph and will not go faster until I get to the top of the hill and then the engine sounds like it is running fine and I have no more problems for the rest of the ride, no matter how long or short. Recently, the battery guage has been lighting up red when it does that and goes away after the car gets running right. What is causing this acceleration problem along with the "chugging" sound and sensation, with small little bursts of power and then backing down? Does my question even make sense, since I am not a mechanic or car specialist? Hope you understand.

Answer 1

You live in a valley? Try using a fuel line drying agent that is added to your gas tank. Sounds like there may be moisture in your fuel system. I like the idea of a tune up on the spark system, plugs wires roter and cap.

If the vehicle is running at lower than normal operating rpms, the vehicle will want to die and will light up the battery light.

You may also have a clogged or patially clogged injector. Another thing to look at is the last time you had your fuel filter changed. If it is dirty, with no fuel moving through the dirt can crystalize and cause poor passage of the fuel. Once ran for a while it could clear up on it's own but will eventually clog totally and not run at all.

Answer 2

Sounds like you're way down on power.



The "chugging" is your engine wanting to stall



The first place to start would be a full tune up and oil change if not done already. Full tune up would be spark plugs, ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor, air filter, fuel filter, O2 (oxygen)sensor, and thermostat. At this age you very well may need new fuel injectors or at the very least have them professionally "cleaned" Also if you're engine uses a timing belt or chain I'm not sure but if it is a belt that may need to be changed too. Always a good idea as a broken timing belt can destroy your engine. Finally, have the charging system checked and the cooling system flushed.



If the battery light is coming on you need to get the battery tested and possibly replaced and then check all cables and wires (going to the battery).



Next it seems you're car is having trouble "warming up". This could be a simple sensor (like the O2 sensor) or the thermostat.



While you are having these things checked I would go ahead and have the accessory belt(s) checked.



You're car is 13 years old, have it checked out!! : ) Hope this helps....

Answer 3

you could have an alternator going bad on it ,and it will rob it of much needed power ,and cause it to do that,what you need to do is take it and have it checked out real good,any good repair shop can do this for you,and maybe find out why this is happening to it,id have it done before it got worse,if nothing else seems wrong with it,then it may be something simple,but you, need to have it checked,and have the computer scanned,ever whats causing this may have left a trouble code ,and the computer will have this in its memory,good luck on it,hope this helps.