Took my wife's 8 in today for an oil change and the fuel tank shielding recall; it's an early '04' built in 8/03.

She casually mentioned to the dealer that he had an episode of hesitation--one time--where the engine hesitated on acceleration on a very hot day--low 90's and a long drive on an interstate.

When I called to check on the car he said that the recall work was done but they were proceeding with a decarbonizing on the combustion chamber to deal with the hesitation. Spray in solvent that is left to soak for a while, change the oil and plugs and hopefully that will do it. He said that the AT models have the PCM module sent to CA to be recalibrated as the fix but the MT's go this route as the first step.

I'ma bit suprised to say the least. We drive this car on the interstates atleast 90% of the time. We both hit 6K revs (min) atl east once per drive and probably redline line it once a week. I would have thought that would constitute as enough to blow out the carbon, but....

Th dealer also said that they don't have the parts yet to do the the lower control arm replacement; he had no idea when that might happen. We had the M flash done in November.

Does this sound like the standard fix for a case of hesitation? How wide spread is this carbonization issue? Thanks for any help.

I think they are just going to change your plugs :/

I've never heard of this.
They're probably going to take it out and really flog it on some back roads.

Well, that's how I decarbonize mine. ;)

yes its a standard op for carbon build up. but that AT pcm thing isnt. also they should check the intake from filter to throttle body and clean the maf

$20 for the oil change; $300 + for the other work--thermal recall, decarbonizing--was all covered by the warranty.
Added new plugs and they put in a new flash; didn't drive it to much to tell but the idle was very smooth--not sure if it was the plugs or the ECM reflash.