Sputtering while driving.

[Sallback]

While I'm cruising down the road my car will lose all of it power for split seconds at a time and its only when I am giving around 25-50% of the throttle in certain gears. It tends to do it around 2500 to 4000 RPMS but when I am anywhere above or below that it seems to be running normal. I am not sure if it has something to do with fuel or spark? Any Ideas Please?

 

[GSX93DSM]

I would check your wires and spark plugs, I would also check for vacume or boost leaks. This is were I would begin to check for the problem.

 

[4UH8ERS]

While I'm cruising down the road my car will lose all of it power for split seconds at a time and its only when I am giving around 25-50% of the throttle in certain gears. It tends to do it around 2500 to 4000 RPMS but when I am anywhere above or below that it seems to be running normal. I am not sure if it has something to do with fuel or spark? Any Ideas Please?

Sounds like your MAP sensor is about to take a crap on you! Pull it out and make sure its clean.

 

[BigRand]

don't forget to fill out your mod list....it makes it easier to help you faster.

 

[Sallback]

I checked all those and I am still having trouble pin-pointing the problem. I even have an occasional backfire.

 

[BigRand]

check the gap on your spark plugs....and make sure the plugs are okay.....if you can get some new NGK Bkr6e's.....gap them around .45......

It sounds more like a spark issue, but if you need to check the fuel side...start by check the fuel pressure at the rail by pluging in a fuel pressure tester on the passenger side of the fuel rail (the test port un screws)..

 

[Sallback]

Sounds like your MAP sensor is about to take a crap on you! Pull it out and make sure its clean.

How do you make sure your MAP sensor is clean? I pulled it out and was not sure on what I should clean?

 

[Jeff99GS]

How do you make sure your MAP sensor is clean? I pulled it out and was not sure on what I should clean?

Unplug the MAP sensor, Take the two 8mm screws out of it, an pull the MAP sensor up out of the intake Manifold. Then make sure the opening of the MAP sensor is clear and free of black carbon build up. If you do have a lot of carbon deposits on the MAP you can clean it with some throttle body cleaner and some electrical contact cleaner spray.
(REMEMBER DO NOT STICK ANYTHING SHARP DOWN IN THE HOLE OF THE MAP SENSOR)
You will damage the sensor.
Another thing to check would be your Fuel Filter,

Are you getting any CEL's check engine lights?

 

[Blitzeclips]

How do you make sure your MAP sensor is clean? I pulled it out and was not sure on what I should clean?

When you pull it out, there should be 2 little O-ring seals around the outer wall (blue I think?), then there is the very bottom with a small hole in it. Pull the sensor out and use some carb cleaner to clean it. Just spray a towel with the cleaner then clean off the gunk on the actual sensor.

 

[BLACKpsiECLIPSE]

humm.. Check your TPS. It deff. could be that also.

 

[Sallback]

It was pretty clean (The MAP sensor). It seems to be running fine one minute, powerful and strong, then the next it is sputtering like hell. I think I am going to go change the fuel filter and purchase a new filter for the intake. I really appreciate all the help.

 

[Blitzeclips]

I'm telling you I had the EXACT same problem.

Know what fixed it? I sure don't.

But heres what I did:
Checked plugs and changed them out for brand new ones. Set the gap. Drained the gas and refilled entire tank from Sonoco. They're known for having a better quality gas. Cleaned the MAP sensor.

That's what I did, and everything was fine after that.

 

[Focker420]

If u have checked the plugs,wires,map,tps.
Im going to say the ignition coil could be the problem. It sounds like your missfiring like hell what do the spark plugs look like? Color , any deposits ,and the electrode what is the shape of it tapered, Should be cut flat across and look like a flint for a zippo lighter. If u have stock spark plugs.

 

[TALONTRAX]

I agree with the tps.possibility. Also,sounds stupid,but how old is the fuel filter ? Backfiring usually indicates fuel starvation. A clogged fuel filter can cause this symptom maybe intermittantly,& have no check engine light . . .

 

[Jeff99GS]

I agree It could be the ignition coil or TPS, but thats why we need to know if you have any CEL's Check Engine Lights on? If you have a bad Ignition coil you will get a CEL and sometimes a Flashing CEL..... So in order for anyone to help you more we really need to know more details about whats going on?

 

[Sallback]

Ok, well the CEL has always been on since I bought the car. The only time I could ever get codes from the car is when it is hooked up to a computer that is self-powered. The code was saying that the O2 sensors were bad. Well I couldn't afford them at the time and never got around to changing them. I am also assuming my cat is probably bad since it has 178k miles on it. Thats 178k miles on the whole car not the engine. I did an engine swap with a wrecked eclipse about a year ago that only had 52k miles on it so the motor is in good condition. I really should take the money and replace both O2 sensors. I am also sure the fuel filter is probably the original one that came with the car so I need to replace these things ASAP.

 

[Jeff99GS]

Ok, well the CEL has always been on since I bought the car. The only time I could ever get codes from the car is when it is hooked up to a computer that is self-powered. The code was saying that the O2 sensors were bad. Well I couldn't afford them at the time and never got around to changing them. I am also assuming my cat is probably bad since it has 178k miles on it. Thats 178k miles on the whole car not the engine. I did an engine swap with a wrecked eclipse about a year ago that only had 52k miles on it so the motor is in good condition. I really should take the money and replace both O2 sensors. I am also sure the fuel filter is probably the original one that came with the car so I need to replace these things ASAP.

Well You should definatley Check that CAT cause if it is bad/plugged up it will make your car shutter and have a loss in power under a load...The Front O2 sensor is the important one.... if your front o2 is bad tha car will run Rich all the time and have terrible gas mileage. Just take your car to an AutoZone and have them check the codes...it can be very helpful!

 

[Sallback]

Well You should definatley Check that CAT cause if it is bad/plugged up it will make your car shutter and have a loss in power under a load...The Front O2 sensor is the important one.... if your front o2 is bad tha car will run Rich all the time and have terrible gas mileage. Just take your car to an AutoZone and have them check the codes...it can be very helpful!

I have the same computer that Autozone has and it won't read on my car. There is no power running to the pin that powers the computers. I made a post previously about this.

 

[Jeff99GS]

I have the same computer that Autozone has and it won't read on my car. There is no power running to the pin that powers the computers. I made a post previously about this.

Oh well that sucks, I would start up that car and check to see if you have a good amount of exhaust flow. If it seems like not much exhaust gas is coming out of your tailpipe, then I would say the CAT is clogged. Also Check the Gasket around your EGR valve or block off plate. If that is leaky it will cause stutering and stalling.

 

[dsm4444]

I had this same exact problem with my 95 talon. I went through months not knowing what it was and it drove me insane. No shops knew what it was and suggested a screwed up fuel system. Then i took it to one last shop and had it diagnosed as a bad EGR valve. He replaced it for me that day and i've never had the problem since. Give it a try.