Hey, I have a 04' ES 300 and I have been experiencing slow acceleration and hesitation. Primarily when i am coming off a stop sign or something similiar I press the gas and the car just doesn't accelerate like it should. The RPM goes up to 2.5k but the car doesn't accelerate much, there is a 1-2 second hesitation period before it finally accelerates and its not very smooth.

My first thought was that this was obviously a transmission problem, until I poured a bottle fuel injector cleaner into my fuel tank and the problem was solved. My car ran like new and accelerated perfectly, but only for the next 2 days and it was back to the same old problem.

Then, I went to get a cheap fuel injector cleaning service at Jiffy Lube ($70) and my car ran like new, smooth with great acceleration for the next couple of days and then it was back to the same problem.

I went to a mechanic and he said I have 3 options... I need your guys' help to help me figure out which option is correct so i don;t have to waste my $$$ on all 3 things finding a solution.

1.) I might have gunk in my fuel tank - They will remove my fuel tank and clean it out with a pressure washer...

2.) I have dirty fuel injectors - They will remove my fuel injectors and clean them by hand scraping away all gunk and dirt...

3.) I have a computer failure - They say maybe my computer system isn't telling my fuel injectors to spray enough gas into the engine.

I think options 1 & 2 sound ridiculous, why would there be gunk in my fuel tank I only use premium Shell V-Power gasoline and this problem doesn't happen everytime I accelerate maybe about 50% of the time.

Option 2 sounds like the way to go and I think is the correct solution, what do you guys think?

Thanks for your advice, Peter.

 

Clean your MAF sensor and replace your air filter if havent yet. Try that first and report back.

 

I had my 04 ES fuel system cleaned with the BG fuel system cleaner. Made a big difference. I run mobil or BP gas, 89 octane, sometimes mixed with 93 octane. Car runs better on straight 89 then 93 or 87.

 

I would say get a can of Seafoam and dump the whole can into your gas tank and then top it off with gas. Do not refill until the tank is almost empty.