To the point... Changed air filter two days ago, didn't have a chance to drive it immediately afterwards. The old filters where in really bad shape.
Took the car out today and twice within 5 miles it hesitated when starting from a stop. Bad hesitation, half throttle and very little movement from the car, then it kicked it and all was good.
I am wondering if the old really clogged air filters affected the computer and it's not 'use' to being able to breath again, so a throttle reset is in order.
No engine light. I'll try the throttle reset tomorrow but thought I'd post to see if anyone had any ideas. I did a search and found owners who had throttle response issues but not immediately after changing the air filters.

 

I assume that you have the original airbox? Did you check all of the obvious things like making sure the screws were tightened after changing the filters and ensure that the airbox is firmly in place?

 

Yep, oem air box, no mods and I carefully checked that the air boxes were snug and not showing any of the filter around the edges. I'm 'pretty' sure I secured the unit back on the throttle bottle as I checked it multiple times. I will check that again tomorrow.

The first time I lost power was disconcerting as I was turning left against on coming traffic and limped across the road before power kicked back in. Yikes!

 

Don't think it's your air filters

 

Correct ...clean air filters would not create the issue you are describing.

 

Sounds like your car has a stutter when you throttle down. My guess would be either timing or something in your fuel system.

 

Maybe a throttle reset and give her some time to get used to breathing all of that air again!

 

I was thinking the same thing. A throttle body reset may help.

 

I'm assuming that the car runs well now with no problems, am I correct?

 

Thanks for the input everyone! I'm happy to report I was just a bit too cautious when replacing the airbox cover. I looked at the rear of the cover from the passenger side and I could see a 1/4" space above the throttle body. A firm push on the back corner popped it into place. All is well. It was the first time I've had the cover off so wasn't sure how much pressure to apply.

Oil and air filter change complete and I connected the window washer nozzle that had come off. Now she needs a bath and a nice drive!

I did notice a bit of white smoke from the exhaust when I returned from a little test drive around the block. Also, it could be my imagination but it sounds like the engine is louder (engine sound from bay, not from exhaust). When I bought this car last year the dealer had changed the oil (obviously not the air filters!!!) and the sticker they put in the windshield said 'Penzoil - 5W-30'. I've done two oil changes since then with Mobil 1 0W-40. Does the thinner oil allow more lifter, cam, crank "noise"? Engine runs great and I've never had any issue with this car since I've had it.

 

Synthetic oil generally doesn't offer quite as much niose surpression as a petroleum base oil does. If the dealer put a 5w-30 Penzoil sticker on the car it still could have been synthetic oil. But if you started hearing more mechanical noise after a couple of Mobil 1 oil changes, maybe the dealer did infact use straight petroleum base oil when they changed it.