Engine "Coughing" During Accleration?

[viper69]

I've been experiencing an issue with my Volvo for a bit, pretty consistently too.

When I accelerate from 1, 2 into 3, the engine seems to cough a bit. I don't know how to make this sound right, but basically when I accelerate the engine seems to have a hard time accelerating a bit, as if something is blocking it's ability to breathe (if it were a living animal).

To overcome this, sometimes I have to step on the gas more, maybe use the clutch a bit to BRIEFLY rev the engine.

Once I'm into 3rd gear this coughing/sputtering is gone.

Is this indicative of old/dirty spark plugs (just replaced today), or perhaps the fuel injection?

And, while I'm on it--- should one use those various fuel injector products you put in with a tank gas? If so, how frequently (miles or time?), and does adding it in vary with weather (living in a cold climate w/snow vs a warm climate like the Southwest).

There's no codes present in the car.

[abscate]

Very typical of worn ignition parts.

How old ( miles/time) are your

Coil
Spark plug wires
Distributor cap
Rotor
Spark plugs ( Brandt new)

[viper69]

Very typical of worn ignition parts.

How old ( miles/time) are your

Coil
Spark plug wires
Distributor cap
Rotor
Spark plugs ( Brandt new)

Thanks for replying. I took it out for a drive and noticed the coughing is gone. I’ll need to drive it a few times to be sure.

What’s a coil?

As for the other parts I’m not sure. I’d have to check my records.

Rotor... as in brake rotors?

When should one replace wires and distributor cap? More importantly what signs does the car give to indicat those 2 items need to be replaced?

[misha]

...When should one replace wires and distributor cap? More importantly what signs does the car give to indicat those 2 items need to be replaced?

Pretty much what you're experiencing right now.

[abscate]

If you run any modern car until symptoms show, you will have multiple worn parts and difficult troubleshooting

See the discussion of Stage Zero about the process of restoring a 20+ year old car to reliable operation. Most all of the operations are bolt on parts doable in the driveway. Replacing every 20 year old vacuum hoses and block offs is mandatory. I’ll guess you have 4-5 compromised parts that have degraded on time

[viper69]

Thanks guys. I don't doubt there are some parts that need replacing.

What's the best way to know if you need shocks? Generally, I drive my cars frequently, even the Volvo. So I don't really notice changes over time.

[viper69]

If you run any modern car until symptoms show, you will have multiple worn parts and difficult troubleshooting

See the discussion of Stage Zero about the process of restoring a 20+ year old car to reliable operation. Most all of the operations are bolt on parts doable in the driveway. Replacing every 20 year old vacuum hoses and block offs is mandatory. I’ll guess you have 4-5 compromised parts that have degraded on time

Where can I find this thread on Stage Zero. I searched the forum, found numerous posts w/those words in it, but not thread started by someone.

My Volvo has lived in warm weather 12 months a year since 2000. This fall it's going back to live in a climate that gets snow, ice etc, ie the Northeast of USA- Not too happy about this at all.

[misha]

It's born in cold climate...in Sweden.It's his natural environment.
Just make sure that you have 50-50 coolant mix in it(50% coolant and 50% destilled water).

[abscate]

Where can I find this thread on Stage Zero. I searched the forum, found numerous posts w/those words in it, but not thread started by someone.

The best thread goes way back to 2009 - from Matt himself

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/stage-0.html

[viper69]

Thanks a lot for this.