Pontiac Repair: hesitation, tail pipes, input sensor

Question
hey,

Ive got a 2002 Grand Am GT with 248 000 kms on it, its got the 3400 engine. When im around the 2000-2300 RPM my car seems to hesitate and also when i start it i get a raw fuel smell out of the tail pipes, Ive change just about everything like the intake gasket, plugs, wires, fuel and air filter, tranny fluid, and ive even had the fuel system clean. A few of my friends keep tellin me it might the catalytic converter or the fuel injectors.

If you have any idea what it could be can you please get back to me

thanks Chris

Answer
Hey chris:

you could have leaking injectors try this put a fule gauge on the car turn the key to the run position and let the pressure build up turn the key off and watch the gauge it shouldn't drop rapidly it should hold for at least 1/2 hour before it starts to drop off if not then you could have a leaking injector.. what you really need is a scan tool and see what the fuel blance rate is when the enine is running to see it it is actaully running rich "too much fuel" or the engine being run rich due to a bad input sensor to the engine. with out knoing what's going on it's a krap shoot and your wasting your money throwing parts at it.. A converter is not going to cause a raw fuel smell on start up. Good luck :)