C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Sputtering Already!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 27, 2007 | 03:43 PM
  #1  
ITHZ's Avatar
ITHZ
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton GA.
Default Sputtering Already!!

So, I just got my '87 lastnight.Drove it to work this more and no problem. I go to lunch and it starts sputtering worse and worse.I hit the brakes to stop and it dies.Starts right back up every time and drives fine for awhile until I have to stop,then sputters and will not recover.Kill it and restart and its fine.Any ideas?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2007 | 04:45 PM
  #2  
JAKE's Avatar
JAKE
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Default

Originally Posted by ITHZ
So, I just got my '87 lastnight.Drove it to work this more and no problem. I go to lunch and it starts sputtering worse and worse.I hit the brakes to stop and it dies.Starts right back up every time and drives fine for awhile until I have to stop,then sputters and will not recover.Kill it and restart and its fine.Any ideas?
There are a number of things that can cause this. I'd first check for any stored error code using the ALDL under the dash. You can use a paper clip or a short piece of wire to do this.

I'd then check the spark plug wires the see if any spark is arcing to ground. I'd pull the plugs, check their condition but I wouldn't re-install them, I'd go with new ones.

Then I'd look at fuel - pressure, filter, all injectors firing.

Then Ignition - Distributor cap, coil and module.

I'd then check all the hoses to make sure none is leaking vacuum. I'd put a vacuum gauge on the engine to see if the vacuum reading holds steady or bounces up and down or has a low reading.

I'd then move to the sensors - IAC (Idle Air Control), TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) and MAF (Mass Air Flow).

Keep us updated on what you find.

Jake
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2007 | 09:44 PM
  #3  
ITHZ's Avatar
ITHZ
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton GA.
Default

Originally Posted by JAKE
There are a number of things that can cause this. I'd first check for any stored error code using the ALDL under the dash. You can use a paper clip or a short piece of wire to do this.

I'd then check the spark plug wires the see if any spark is arcing to ground. I'd pull the plugs, check their condition but I wouldn't re-install them, I'd go with new ones.

Then I'd look at fuel - pressure, filter, all injectors firing.

Then Ignition - Distributor cap, coil and module.

I'd then check all the hoses to make sure none is leaking vacuum. I'd put a vacuum gauge on the engine to see if the vacuum reading holds steady or bounces up and down or has a low reading.

I'd then move to the sensors - IAC (Idle Air Control), TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) and MAF (Mass Air Flow).

Keep us updated on what you find.

Jake
Thanks Jake!(by the way I used to live in Desoto and Lancaster)I found a broken wire going to the EGR valve Temp Switch.I have not replaced it yet ,but what do you think?Possibley the problem?
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2007 | 04:07 PM
  #4  
JAKE's Avatar
JAKE
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Default

I never had the broken EGR wire problem but I suspect that would set an error code. I had the EGR turned OFF in the re-burned PROM I was/am using on my 86.

Did you pull the stored codes yet? If so, what was the result?

P.S. I've lived in DeSoto for 12 years but I'm visiting relatives in Indiana right now. I moved to DeSoto after I retired.

Keep us posted.

Jake
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2007 | 12:46 AM
  #5  
ozvette87's Avatar
ozvette87
Pro
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: Perth Western Australia
Default

Originally Posted by JAKE
I never had the broken EGR wire problem but I suspect that would set an error code. I had the EGR turned OFF in the re-burned PROM I was/am using on my 86.

Did you pull the stored codes yet? If so, what was the result?

P.S. I've lived in DeSoto for 12 years but I'm visiting relatives in Indiana right now. I moved to DeSoto after I retired.

Keep us posted.

Jake
im pretty sure that doesnt set a code on the 87... others have reported this, others say otherwise
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2007 | 03:24 AM
  #6  
coupeguy2001's Avatar
coupeguy2001
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Default sputtering

the egr wire if grounded might blow a fuse. If it does, it will still run and drive fine.
your car sounds like the fuel pump sock is plugged up in the tank. or the fuel filter is too dirty to pass gas hold your nose.
seriously it could be those 2 things.
It could also be a bad engine computer with a few bad solder joints.
You will have to attach a fuel pressure gauge to the engine fuel manifold, and when it dies on you , coast to the side, and open the hood and examine it. or run the gauge up so you can read it while driving.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2007 | 05:46 PM
  #7  
ITHZ's Avatar
ITHZ
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton GA.
Default

Well, Apparently the EGR temp switch wire was shorting to the engine block sending false codes to the ECM.Replaced it,and all seems to be fine.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2007 | 02:24 AM
  #8  
coupeguy2001's Avatar
coupeguy2001
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Default egr

well you can only do so much without seeing the car.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 3, 2007 | 09:38 AM
  #9  
ITHZ's Avatar
ITHZ
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton GA.
Default

Originally Posted by coupeguy2001
well you can only do so much without seeing the car.
I know and thanks for you help!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Sputtering Already!!





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:29 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE