car sputters in the 3000 to 5000 range

[laz93se]

hey guys the car has been acting funny recently.after driving for about 45 minutes the car starts to sputter in the 3000 to 5000 range.and it only does it after driving it for a while not when its cold.could it be a bad thermostat.

[F22-GURU]

Yes & No!!

[wed3k]

like misfiring? does the tach bounce all over the place and feel loss of power?

[laz93se]

it does not bounce all over the tach.just after driving for a while when i get on the highway the car sputters with loss of power.its like a surge of boost but then drops and goes up as long as i keep the foot on the gas.

[laz93se]

i'll get back to you guys later on tonight when i'am at work

[h22sparkle]

hmmm I say lack of spark whens the last time your ride has gotten a tuneup ?

[laz93se]

hmmm I say lack of spark whens the last time your ride has gotten a tuneup ?

i'd say about 7 months ago.

[wrichards2005]

Maybe its like mine, once its warmed up it sputters to accelerate. It sounds like its pinging. Probably just needs a tune up...

[TheTempest]

if it's pinging, roll back the dizzy a few degrees.

[F22-GURU]

I suggest you go out and buy some specialist testing equipment like I did.
Here are just a few examples in my Diagnostic Equipment List.
Battery Load CCA Tester - $495
Battery Charger - $180
Battery Booster Pack - $150
ABW Auto-Sensing Multimeter - $400
Basic Timing Light - $300
Snap-On Scanner Kit - $3300
OTC Digital EFI/EMS Tester - $1100
ABW Computer-Safe Test Light - $40
Various Auto Electrical & EFI/EMS Workshop Manuals - $800+

Then you shouldn't have much trouble finding what's wrong.

Now I'm going to sound like a Broken Record.

CHECK THE BATTERY VOLTAGE
CHECK THE ALTERNATOR CHARGE RATE
CHECK THE ECU GROUND @ THE THERMO HOUSING.
CHECK ALL OTHER GROUNDS FOR POOR CONTACT.
CHECK FUSES
CHECK VACUUM
CHECK FUEL PRESSURE

Do all this before any further checking or testing. If they are all OK then start looking elsewhere.

There are only FIVE things you need to completely diagnose an Engine Running Problem properly.

1. AN AUTO-SENSING MULTIMETER.
2. A VACCUM GAUGE.
3. A FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE.
4. A GOOD RANGE WORKSHOP MANUALS.
5. AN FAIR KNOWLEDGE OF HOW THE CAR WORKS.

If you've got all those then you should be able to fix the problem.

[wrichards2005]

A simple timing light? 300 dollas?

Also, its only pinging when its fully warmed up, could that still be timing related?

[Direthought]

Here you go. Thanks to "Modern Automotive Technology" one of my highschool auto shop books.

Loss of power:
Dirty or incorrectyly gapped spark plugs.
Dirt or water in the fuel system.
Faulty fuel pump.
Incorrect valve timing.
Blown cylinder head gasket
Low compression
Burned, warped, or pitted valves
Restricted exhaust system
Faulty ignition cable
Faulty coil.

Now if you have a knock, (which i dunno but some of these people have been throwing it around) and it only occurs after warm-up, it is most likely Rod-bearing knock. (connecting rod that is)

[laz93se]

(guru) i don't have most of those tools,i think it could be the timing since the dizzy was loose.don't know how it got loose but i'am going to take the car to a shop i know and i will update you guy's as soon as posible.

[F22-GURU]

A simple timing light? 300 dollas?

Like I said, Things in Australia cost an Arm & a Leg. After Import Duties, Stamp Duties, a dollop of Goolie Strangling Tax, a shit Exchange rate and a quick fuck up the arse, we pay about 2-3 times as much for tools as you do in The States. . Little Johnny "Bonsai" Howard is too far up George Dubya's arse to do anything about it.

BTW: I mainly have Snap On or ABW Tools.