Q: Flat spot in motor.

asked by on January 14, 2016

I noticed there is a flat spot in my engine when accelerating. The car is hesitating when accelerating in all gears.

Engine hesitates during acceleration Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

A fixed hesitation point when accelerating points to a specific mechanical issue either in the ignition or fuel system. The mechanical advance in the distributor needs to be checked for free motion and base timing would need to be checked. In the fuel system the checks will change based on whether you have a carbureted or gasoline injection system. You may want to enlist the help of a mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, who has the tools and equipment to diagnose the cause of the hesitation.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Experiencing a slight rattle and loss of power.
Is this an automatic or manual transmission? I need to know what type of transmission you have because this rattling sound could be different things depending if it is an auto trans or manual. Either way I would recommend that...
Performance chip messed up my car
Since I don't know what kind of chip you have or the specifics of how it was installed, I'm not sure how much advice I can provide. But first, I would start by double checking that everything is exactly how...
Check engine light on and car bogging down
Hi there. If the Check Engine Light came on, then there is a problem that the computer is seeing. If the light is flashing, then it may have a misfire. If not, then it is something else in the powertrain....
Where is the hood sensor located?
Depending on your specific model of Chevrolet, your hood latch and sensor should be all one assembly. However, it is possible to separate them taking the hood sensor out and keeping the hood latch itself operational. I would recommend having...
Car's interior-rear view mirror broke off from the windshield. How do I reattach it or is it even possible?
Hi there. It seems that the base may be cracked and not fitting on the support base that is attached to the windshield. You can try putting Gorilla Glue on the mirror bracket to make it fix the crack and...
getting P1028 & P2006 for 2008 MB C300 but 1.dont feel any loss of power 2.Idle is Not Poor (no)fluctuation
Code P1028 indicates the engine control unit is detecting that the coolant temperature is lower than the thermostat is designed for. This typically can be caused by a thermostat that is stuck open (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/thermostat-replacement). The thermostat is designed to allow...
Engine accelerated slow with check engine light on. Light is now off and runs fine
The check engine light is on when the problem was present and vehicle was either in failure mode and reduced power and throttle response. As soon as the intermittent problem went away and systems started working normal the light went...
Why won't my brake lights turn off
There is a brake light switch on or near the pedal assembly. That switch could have been jarred in such a way that the switch contacts are stuck in the closed (lights always on) position. If that is what has...

Related articles

I Hit the Brakes Very Hard. Did I Create a Flat Spot on My Tires?
Almost Almost everyone, at some point in his or her driving experience, will slam on the brakes. Slamming on the brakes is generally more than just an emotional response to a situation. When you're avoiding an accident or reacting to...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for College Students
You’ve You’ve done it – high school is officially behind you. Now it’s time to head off to a brand new world. College is that and more and you may need a car during your pursuit of a higher education....
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Rock Climber
If If you’re a rock climber, you want a vehicle that gets you where you need to go, even if the terrain gets rough. You may be living out of your vehicle at times, so you also want a rig...