You rely on your engine’s performance to get you where you need to go. Whether you drive a car, truck, or utility vehicle, you need the engine to run smoothly and efficiently. Crossroads Automotive advises that there are specific problems that can make your car’s engine sputter. We are going to list six of these problems below. These are the most common reasons for engine sputtering.
1. Clogged Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter treats your automobile’s exhaust before it is released out of the tailpipe. It takes toxic emissions and converts them into safe emissions. Eventually, the hydrocarbons found in your vehicle’s exhaust will clog the catalytic converter. When this happens, exhaust backs up into the combustion chamber and your engine sputters as a result.
2. Clogged Fuel Filter
The fuel filter needs to be changed every 30,000 miles to ensure that it is always clean. If you fail to meet this mileage milestone, you may end up with a clogged fuel filter that will affect your engine’s performance. When the filter is clogged with sediment, it reduces the amount of fuel that makes its way into the combustion chamber. Consequently, your engine will sputter.
3. Clogged Fuel Injectors
The same is true for the fuel injectors. If carbon builds up on the nozzles and clogs them, your engine will be starved for fuel. Anytime the engine is starved for fuel, it will struggle to run. This will not only make your engine sputter, but you might also experience rough idling and stalling.
4. Malfunctioning MAF Sensor
The mass airflow sensor can indirectly make your engine sputter. The reason why is that this sensor reports airflow data to the engine control module, your vehicle’s main computer chip. If the module receives incorrect data, it may unnecessarily increase the air in the combustion chamber. When this happens, your engine will sputter.
5. Malfunctioning O2 Sensor
The oxygen sensor can also confuse the engine control module. It reports oxygen levels in the exhaust. If it provides the engine control module with incorrect data, the module, again, may put too much air in the combustion chamber. This will make your engine sputter.
6. Vacuum Hose Leak
Finally, a vacuum hose leak will also make your engine sputter and increase your RPMs sporadically. This is because the vacuum pressure that is leaking out of the hose fills the engine with air.
Call Crossroads Automotive in Topeka, KS, today if your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s engine is sputtering all the time. We’d be happy to fix the problem.