You’re driving along and your engine starts to sputter. It feels as if it’s hiccupping, and you’re afraid it’s going to stall. In fact, it has been stalling lately when you’re sitting at an idle. What could possibly be going wrong with your European automobile? Usually, Eurotech Auto Service & Repair explains the engine sputters can be attributed to a fuel system problem, but there are three other reasons why your car’s engine might sputter all the time. Let’s talk about this further below.
1. Fuel System Problems
A fuel delivery problem can cause your engine to sputter because it is being fuel-starved. Clogged fuel lines, clogged fuel injectors, a malfunctioning fuel pump, or a clogged fuel filter will all prevent your engine from getting the fuel that it needs to operate efficiently. Alongside the sputtering engine, you will also notice a marked difference in how much fuel economy you get per tank. Your gas mileage will, pardon the pun, tank.
2. Faulty Spark Plugs
Another problem that will make your engine sputter is worn or dirty spark plugs. When the spark plugs have worn out, they will misfire, and this will make your engine sputter. If the spark plugs are relatively new, then the issue could be in your engine control module. This is your car’s main computer, and it tells the spark plugs when to fire. If it is malfunctioning, the spark plugs may be misfiring.
3. Malfunctioning Mass Airflow Sensor
Another malfunction that can lead to a sputtering engine is your mass airflow sensor. This is the part that is responsible for keeping track of how much air flows into your vehicle’s engine. If it reports inaccurate numbers to the engine control module, the module may make adjustments to the air and fuel combination in the combustion chamber that will affect the engine’s performance.
4. Dying Catalytic Converter
Finally, your European automobile’s catalytic converter is responsible for taking the carbon monoxide produced by the combustion engine and turning it into the safer gas that is carbon dioxide. If you have a rich fuel mixture in the engine, this overloads the catalytic converter and can cause it to fail. A failing or malfunctioning catalytic converter will cause your engine to sputter. A dirty catalytic converter can also create this problem.
Eurotech Auto Service & Repair in Fort Myers FL, would be happy to inspect your European automobile’s engine to find out why it isn’t performing as it should be. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.