Engine "sputters" when accelerating - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

whip_cracker · 05-05-2009, 12:27 AM

Hey guys,

Was on a cruise yesterday with SupaTouring and A yesterday and came across a weird problem...

When in 4th gear (overdrive on my Auto) on a 3VZFE engine, and put the foot on the throttle, I get this sputtering noise, sporadic... drops the acceleration when it does it too... it can sputter when driving on a flat road, or going up a hill. It can do this "sputtering" noise 5 times a second no problem. It gives you the feeling that it could be bad fuel not burning correctly or something.

I've used 98 octane V Power in this for quite some time... the only thing that myself and a couple of others think it could be is either fuel filter, dirty injectors or maybe even the timing being out... maybe even bad fuel. I'm not 100% sure but the mechanic reckons to change the fuel filter in the engine bay first and see if that helps... then to go looking down the lines of getting the injectors cleaned.

Anyone got any ideas? It didn't happen when idling in P, but I noticed this morning when pulling outta the driveway and sitting the car waiting for the garage door to close, the car sputtered a little bit... has been happening for the last day or so, slightly noticed it Wednesday/Thursday after I filled up.

Thanks lads

whip_cracker · 05-05-2009, 03:42 AM

Ay lads,

Looks like it's stepped up a notch... the "sputter" is now constant, every 1/2 second it does it... my car now sounds like a freakin WRX with the exhaust and all! Hahahahaha

I had my uncle have a check... he reckons one of the cylinders might not be firing due to a bad spark plug...

Any other ideas? Adam? One of the American bros help out an Aussie :P Hahaha

Thanks

***Knailgun*** · 05-05-2009, 05:20 AM

check the distributor and wires for any condensation, the seal might have also gone on it.....mine did that same thing once upon a moon

***ASG14*** · 05-05-2009, 06:30 AM

Shannon, I'd agree with ^. Start with the cheap stuff 1st.

Also, my Parent's old '87 Nissan Sentra did the same thing and it turned out to be the fuel pump on it;s way out, and would the car would sputter under load due to not enough fuel.

Does this only happen at higher speeds?

***eyeball96*** · 05-05-2009, 08:40 AM

Adam it sound kinda like what was happening to Heathers 5sfe when I changed the wires.

DFBonnett · 05-05-2009, 01:14 PM

It could well be failing ignition components such as plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. What is the condition/age/mileage on these?

whip_cracker · 05-05-2009, 04:02 PM

Has 172k on the clock... not sure what that is in Miles? Maybe 110k Miles...

Adam, it's happening all the time now... there's a chance that it's the dizzy, being that there's a VERY SMALL oil leak with it, but it's been like that since I bought it 2-3 years ago with 117k on the clock... every service you just need to get a cloth to wipe away the oil. If the oil was building up in the dizzy, I'd be worried for sure though!

I've been told by many that it could be the plugs... can only see though ay! I haven't had to touch the plugs yet because apparently the plugs are meant to last around 100k... apparently that's "bullsh!t" according to my uncle... lol (my uncle's the kind of racecar driver that will have him and his team swap an engine in a buggy in a couple of hours... absolutely nuts.

Thanks guys, I'll keep those other things on the list to check too :P

whip_cracker · 05-05-2009, 04:21 PM

Quick question,

Can anyone recommend a type of plug I should be after?

Adam suggested once some NGK Iridium Spark Plugs.. if not, the Denso Platinums straight from Toyota.

Thanks guys

***ASG14*** · 05-05-2009, 04:24 PM

Shannon, if you can wait a couple weeks I can get it all here and ship it if there is a large difference.

whip_cracker · 05-05-2009, 05:15 PM

I'd like to see this car run for two weeks... hahaha. When you have this sorta "boxer engine" noise you know you want it sorted ASAP. What a royal pain in the arse it was a few mins ago driving to work... bloody hell!

There a P/N that I should be looking for mate?

Thanks ay..

whip_cracker · 05-05-2009, 05:26 PM

Maybe this Part Number?

NGK Iridium: BKR6EIX-11?

whip_cracker · 05-05-2009, 05:58 PM

Hang on...

BCPR6EIX-11? Apparently the one I mentioned before was for the 4 bangers... this P/N is for the 6 cylinders... apparently the thread's different as per SuperCheap Auto (one of Aust's biggest Auto shops... not exactly the cheapest either).

Thanks lads

whip_cracker · 05-06-2009, 03:51 AM

UPDATE:

Was a spark plug in the front bank on the right. Replaced it and workin like a dream. Replaced the front bank with the NGK Iridium IXs and will be replacing the rears next week by the mechanic. Took one look at it... and went "nope, some other poor barstard can do that!" hahaha

Thanks lads