{"id":2473,"date":"2022-07-28T04:45:21","date_gmt":"2022-07-28T04:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/?p=2473"},"modified":"2023-01-09T03:24:08","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T03:24:08","slug":"why-is-your-engine-sputtering-causes-and-how-to-fix-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/why-is-your-engine-sputtering-causes-and-how-to-fix-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is Your Engine Sputtering? (Causes and How To Fix It)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Getting into your car to find that it sounds a bit off, backfiring, or is sputtering on and then dying off, can be alarming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A sputtering engine might mean nothing, or it might be a cause for concern as it is the sign of a bigger, more complicated problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Why Is Your Engine Sputtering\" class=\"wp-image-2474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_71 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contents<\/p>\n<\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/why-is-your-engine-sputtering-causes-and-how-to-fix-it\/#What_Does_a_Spluttering_Engine_Mean\" title=\"What Does a Spluttering Engine Mean?\">What Does a Spluttering Engine Mean?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/why-is-your-engine-sputtering-causes-and-how-to-fix-it\/#What_Does_Engine_Sputtering_Feel_Like\" title=\"What Does Engine Sputtering Feel Like?\">What Does Engine Sputtering Feel Like?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/why-is-your-engine-sputtering-causes-and-how-to-fix-it\/#What_Causes_Engine_Sputtering\" title=\"What Causes Engine Sputtering?\">What Causes Engine Sputtering?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/why-is-your-engine-sputtering-causes-and-how-to-fix-it\/#How_Can_I_Stop_My_Engine_From_Sputtering\" title=\"How Can I Stop My Engine From Sputtering?\">How Can I Stop My Engine From Sputtering?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/why-is-your-engine-sputtering-causes-and-how-to-fix-it\/#Is_Engine_Sputtering_Bad\" title=\"Is Engine Sputtering Bad?\">Is Engine Sputtering Bad?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/why-is-your-engine-sputtering-causes-and-how-to-fix-it\/#Is_It_Okay_To_Drive_a_Car_With_a_Sputtering_Engine\" title=\"Is It Okay To Drive a Car With a Sputtering Engine?\">Is It Okay To Drive a Car With a Sputtering Engine?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Does_a_Spluttering_Engine_Mean\"><\/span><a><\/a>What Does a Spluttering Engine Mean?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The reason that your engine sputters is due to the inefficiency of combustion. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This inefficiency means that the fuel injected, for one reason or another, is not achieving total combustion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This problem usually occurs when the car is stopped or during attempts at acceleration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When something is off, the air-fuel balance isn\u2019t correct, and this can cause many different problems within an engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Does_Engine_Sputtering_Feel_Like\"><\/span><a><\/a>What Does Engine Sputtering Feel Like?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sputtering feels like your car wants to go, but the engine feels sluggish no matter how hard it tries to accelerate. It might also feel that, while driving, the motor isn\u2019t working to its full ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or you may get a slight shake or shudder when you start or stop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of these symptoms can be considered sputtering. It may also remind you of the way running out of gas feels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Causes_Engine_Sputtering\"><\/span><a><\/a>What Causes Engine Sputtering?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re lucky, the sputtering noise your engine is making is just a sign that you\u2019re running low on gas. Unfortunately, this isn\u2019t always the case, and other issues might be causing the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some are easy fixes, but some are not, and all will <a href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/engine-knocking-sound-at-idle-causes-and-how-to-fix-it\/\">cause the engine to sound<\/a> not quite right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Mass Air Flow Sensor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/uncategorized\/bad-mass-air-flow-sensor-symptoms-and-replacement-cost\/\">Mass Air flow sensor<\/a> is crucial to any electronically controlled fuel-injection system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It regulates the amount of fuel the injectors release by understanding the air mass in the piston chamber to ensure the proper air-fuel balance for combustion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The air density will fluctuate depending on temperature and humidity, which is essential for fuel efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the mass air flow sensor is damaged or dirty, it can\u2019t read the air density and won\u2019t perform correctly. This issue leads to too much or too little fuel in the chamber. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Too much fuel causes the excess to burn off instead of combust. Too little doesn\u2019t combust enough to drive the pistons up and down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, it causes poor performance and sluggish acceleration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Spark Plugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/spark-plugs\/how-many-spark-plugs-does-a-diesel-engine-have\/\">Spark plugs are another essential<\/a> component of a fuel-injection engine. The spark plugs provide the spark that will ignite the fuel and air mixture inside the piston chamber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This spark allows the pistons to turn the drive shaft and the wheels to move forward. This component may be the culprit behind the spluttering if these are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dirty<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Malfunctioning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Damaged<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Fuel Injectors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve talked about a couple of parts of the engine being fuel-injected, so it only makes sense that the fuel injectors themselves could be causing the engine\u2019s sputtering. These can also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Malfunction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have faulty wiring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be dirty<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/engine\/how-to-clean-fuel-injectors-without-removing-them\/\">fuel injectors<\/a> don\u2019t work correctly, the fuel-air mixture is again thrown off, and the engine sputters as if running out of gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Catalytic Converter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/nepis.epa.gov\/Exe\/ZyNET.exe\/P100TSYK.TXT?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&amp;Client=EPA&amp;Index=2000+Thru+2005&amp;Docs=&amp;Query=&amp;Time=&amp;EndTime=&amp;SearchMethod=1&amp;TocRestrict=n&amp;Toc=&amp;TocEntry=&amp;QField=&amp;QFieldYear=&amp;QFieldMonth=&amp;QFieldDay=&amp;IntQFieldOp=0&amp;ExtQFieldOp=0&amp;XmlQuery=&amp;File=D%3A%5Czyfiles%5CIndex%20Data%5C00thru05%5CTxt%5C00000037%5CP100TSYK.txt&amp;User=ANONYMOUS&amp;Password=anonymous&amp;SortMethod=h%7C-&amp;MaximumDocuments=1&amp;FuzzyDegree=0&amp;ImageQuality=r75g8\/r75g8\/x150y150g16\/i425&amp;Display=hpfr&amp;DefSeekPage=x&amp;SearchBack=ZyActionL&amp;Back=ZyActionS&amp;BackDesc=Results%20page&amp;MaximumPages=1&amp;ZyEntry=1&amp;SeekPage=x&amp;ZyPURL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">catalytic converter<\/a> is a vital component of a vehicle\u2019s exhaust system. This converter is needed as a means to reduce emissions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It serves its function by turning dangerous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/indoor-air-quality-iaq\/carbon-monoxides-impact-indoor-air-quality\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">carbon monoxide<\/a> into much less harmful <a href=\"https:\/\/scied.ucar.edu\/learning-zone\/how-climate-works\/carbon-dioxide#:~:text=Carbon%20dioxide%20is%20a%20colorless,atom%20and%20two%20oxygen%20atoms.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">carbon dioxide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If this component malfunctions, exhaust can back into the engine, cause the converter to overheat, and eventually emit a sulfurous <a href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/smells-clean\/reasons-why-your-car-smells-like-rotten-eggs-and-how-to-fix-it\/\">smell akin to rotten eggs<\/a>. The exhaust backup is what causes the sputtering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Oxygen Sensor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The oxygen sensor is a device that aims at ensuring the proper fuel-air mixture for combustion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Operating at 650 degrees Fahrenheit, the oxygen sensor tells the vehicle\u2019s computer whether the fuel is burning correctly and adjusts the proper ratios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Either too much or too little combustion will cause sputtering from inefficiencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering-2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Why Is Your Engine Sputtering\" class=\"wp-image-2475\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Why-Is-Your-Engine-Sputtering-2.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Can_I_Stop_My_Engine_From_Sputtering\"><\/span><a><\/a>How Can I Stop My Engine From Sputtering?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a few simple steps that you can take to prevent and eradicate vehicle spluttering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Clean More Exposed Parts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are specific components in the fuel and ignition systems that are more liable to get dirty from everyday use. When components get dirty they won\u2019t perform correctly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regularly check and clean the following parts to ensure optimal functioning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Spark plugs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fuel Injectors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gaskets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Regular cleaning will ensure the longevity of your vehicle\u2019s engine.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Replace Faulty Fuel System Components<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Routinely checking all the components that may have something to do with the sputtering engine is a good idea also. Check and replace any part that you can tell has gone bad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Test others if you don\u2019t know or take your car to a trusted mechanic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Test Resistance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Testing the resistance of things like a spark plug, ignition coils, and other <a href=\"https:\/\/ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub\/multimeters101\/chapter\/testing-resistance-ohms-with-a-digital-multimeter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">electronic parts with an ohm tester<\/a> will let you see if everything is functioning properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All electronics have a resistance they\u2019re supposed to work at, and if you test and it\u2019s off, replace it as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Perform Regular Maintenance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The best cure for a sputtering engine is prevention.<\/strong> Always get the scheduled maintenance taken care of and try and give your car and engine a once-over whenever you can to ensure everything is correct. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This prevention can help you steer clear of future problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Engine_Sputtering_Bad\"><\/span><a><\/a>Is Engine Sputtering Bad?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Engine sputtering is never something that a driver wants to hear. While it could be a minor problem, it could also mean a trip to the mechanic and a chunk of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unless it\u2019s a gas issue, a sputtering engine should be looked at as soon as possible to ensure that irreversible engine damage doesn\u2019t occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_It_Okay_To_Drive_a_Car_With_a_Sputtering_Engine\"><\/span><a><\/a>Is It Okay To Drive a Car With a Sputtering Engine?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While it is okay to drive the car, it may not be the best choice. It can add wear and tear to an engine that is already struggling and damage other vehicle components. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, the only place you should be driving a sputtering car is the mechanic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Getting into your car to find that it sounds a bit off, backfiring, or is sputtering on and then dying off, can be alarming. A&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2474,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2473","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-engine","wpcat-8-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2473"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2473"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2473\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2793,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2473\/revisions\/2793"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}