What causes a car to sputter and idle rough?

0 votes
asked Apr 4, 2019 in Repairs/Maintenance by bretoner2 (310 points)
What causes a car to sputter and idle rough?

1 Answer

0 votes
answered Apr 4, 2019 by Larry S (42,350 points)
When a vehicles engine is sputtering it usually means that it's not getting enough fuel delivered to the engine to allow it to operate properly.

The engine needs the proper amount of fuel to run properly so if it's starving for fuel then sputtering of the engine can occur.

The fuel delivery problem could be bad fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, clogged fuel injectors and even water in the fuel.

The sputtering and rough idle could also be caused by bad spark plugs or a vacuum leak somewhere on the engine.

I would check to make sure the vehicle is getting enough fuel and have the fuel injector nozzles cleaned as that can be a cause of rough idle and sputtering.

Also check the mass air flow sensor and check to make sure the throttle position sensor is working correctly.

108,715 questions

117,673 answers

1,358 comments

7,058,500 users

...