Why does my car sputter when coming to a stop sometimes?

Tiny
JEREMIAHEDWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 GEO METRO
  • 47,000 MILES
Hello, So, I have a 1994 Geo metro XFI with 47,000 original miles. It's beautiful. It is a 1.0L 3 cylinder engine.

It does have a bit of a rough idle when coming to a stop. It has a manual transmission. Say I'm coming up to a red light and have to stop a little faster than usual (or sometimes stopping normally) I downshift 4 to 3 to 2 and then into neutral. When I get to second gear and put it into neutral, the car sputters a bit like it wants to stall, but it doesn't. It recovers.

New on the car: new spark plugs, distributor cap, wires, air filter, oil change and filter, and hoses. There doesn't appear to be a vacuum leak anywhere. I'm really at a loss here! Many thanks!
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 AT 7:36 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
What happens if you dont downshift but just go neutral or push in clutch and use brakes to slow down?
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
JEREMIAHEDWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hello,

Shifting directly into neutral doesn't seem to have an effect. It still sputters. Also, I noticed that when I turn on the vents (i don't have ac) it happens. Sort of sputters and bogs down a bit.
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Friday, February 3rd, 2012 AT 3:12 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Sounds like possible vacuum leak. Air vents being vac powered. Check the fuel pressure, EGR and PCV valves and the idle air control valve and throttle position sensor-
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Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 AT 7:08 PM

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