You are driving along and your engine starts to sputter. Frustrated, you press down harder on the accelerator to force the engine to pick up speed. This has been happening too much lately. What could be wrong? LP & Sons Auto Care lists eight problems below that will make your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s engine sputter every time you drive it.
1. Catalytic Converter Clogs
The catalytic converter treats the engine’s exhaust so it’s safe for release. Unfortunately, the hydrocarbons found in the exhaust can leave carbon deposits in the catalytic converter and clog it. This pushes the exhaust back into the combustion chamber and makes your engine sputter.
2. Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter can make your engine sputter because you do not have fresh air flowing into the combustion chamber. It’s important to change the air filter every 12,000 miles to make sure it doesn’t get clogged. Failure to do so can cause engine performance problems.
3. Dying Fuel Pump
A dying fuel pump can also make your engine sputter because it is unable to supply the fuel the engine needs to run inefficiently. You will particularly notice problems when you try to drive at faster speeds and when your engine is under stress such as driving up a hill.
4. Engine Vacuum Leak
An engine vacuum leak will fill the engine with air and cause a lean fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. This can make your engine sputter because the engine is being fuel-starved. Replacing the leaking vacuum hose usually solves the problem.
5. Fuel System Clogs
Another thing that will impede the flow of fuel into the engine is a clog in the fuel system. For example, if the fuel filter is clogged, you will not have enough fuel going into the engine. The same is true if the fuel hoses or fuel injectors are clogged.
6. MAF Sensor Malfunction
A malfunctioning mass airflow sensor can indirectly cause a lean fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. As we mentioned above, this mixture can make your engine sputter because the engine is getting more air than fuel.
7. O2 Sensor Malfunction
The same is true if the oxygen sensor is malfunctioning. It, too, can indirectly create a lean fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, you will continue to have engine performance problems until you replace the faulty O2 sensor.
8. Old Spark Plugs
Finally, old spark plugs that are worn will make your engine misfire because they are misfiring. The misfiring is the engine sputtering.
LP & Sons Auto Care in DeLand, FL, can determine why your engine is sputtering all the time and fix the problem. Give us a call today.