If your car, truck, or C/SUV’s engine is sputtering all the time, you’ve got a fuel delivery or other problem. Premier Auto Repair is going to list the common causes of engine sputtering below. We can inspect your engine to find the problem. Once we find it, we can fix it.
Clogged Catalytic Converter
A clogged catalytic converter can push engine exhaust back into the combustion chamber. When this happens, the engine struggles to ignite fresh air and fuel to maintain combustion. Unfortunately, your engine will sputter because the combustion cycle is being affected by the catalytic converter.
Clogged Fuel System
Your engine might also sputter if you have a clog in the fuel system. Examples of fuel system parts that can get clogged are the fuel filter, the hoses, and the injectors. It’s important to have your fuel system maintained every 30,000 miles to avoid clogs in the system that prevent fuel delivery.
Faulty Fuel Pump
If you have 100,000 miles or more on your odometer, your fuel pump may be dying. This will prevent the delivery of gasoline or diesel fuel to the engine, and, consequently, a sputtering engine. The engine will sputter even more at high speeds and when it is operating under stressful conditions.
Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor, or MAF sensor, can go bad due to age or because it is dirty. The sensor can indirectly affect how much fuel is in the combustion chamber. If the MAF sensor is faulty, you may end up with a lean fuel mixture in the combustion chamber and a sputtering engine.
Faulty Oxygen Sensor
The same is true with the oxygen or O2 sensor. When this auto part goes bad, which usually happens around 90,000 miles, the O2 sensor will indirectly skew the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Again, a lean fuel mixture will make your vehicle’s engine sputter.
Vacuum Leak
If one of the vacuum hoses in your engine is leaking, your engine will fill up with air. This excess air can make your engine sputter because it is overtaking the fuel. If your engine and acceleration are lagging and you hear hissing or suction sounds coming from the engine, you have a vacuum leak.
Worn Spark Plugs
Finally, you probably already know this but worn spark plugs can also make your engine sputter. When the plugs wear out, they misfire and this misfiring is what makes your engine hiccup. Replacing the plugs and wires (if they need it) will solve the problem and restore your engine’s performance.
Again, Premier Auto Repair in Tyler, TX, can find out why your engine is sputtering and fix the problem. Call us today.
