2004 Dodge Stratus Rough Idle

RSWAIN

MEMBER
2004 DODGE STRATUS
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
102,000 MILES

My 2004 Dodge Stratus SXT Coupe model is having problems with a rough idle. It still has not stalled on me yet, but I feel that problem is nearly approaching. I have had the car for the majority of its history. I have kept up with routine maintenance and this problem has just recently started to occur. If I turn on my A/C, this problem intensifies. Sometimes the idle will jump when just sitting still at a light, and mostly it occurs during acceleration from idle and then is no longer a problem once moving and in gear. I am thinking this may be a timing belt issue (something I have not replaced) or maybe a problem with dirty, gunky valves. I was hoping for some suggestions or if anyone else has had a similar issue. Thanks.

2 Replies

XSHAWN117X

MEMBER
12 POSTS

Is the check engine light lid? If so, have the car get scanned and read the codes. Advance Auto Parts and AutoZone does it free of charge. If the check engine light isn't on then there's quite a bit of possibilities which may hesitate the car, such as:

Clogged fuel filter
Failing Fuel Pump
Failed Fuel Pressure Regulator
Ignition Coil Pack
Fouled Spark Plugs
Bad Spark Plug Wires
Blown Cylinder Head Gasket
Bad Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve
Vacuum Leak
Dirty Fuel Injectors
Clogged Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve
Choke Throttle Body
Bad MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) Sensor
Bad MAF (Mass Air Flow) Sensor
Timing Belt Stretched causing slippage
Timing Belt out of time
Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP)
Bad Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP)

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Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 AT 4:59 AM

RSWAIN

MEMBER
25 POSTS

Thanks for the ideas. I ended up replacing all spark plugs in the car. This fixed the problem for maybe a week. Then the problem returned and I noticed oil in my spark plug chambers. I replaced the valve cover gasket and the rings around the spark plug chamber and cleaned the chambers, but the problem persisted. I found there was some oil residue in one of the boots from when the chambers were flooded from the faulty valve cover gasket. I cleaned all the boots out really well and then re-gapped the spark plugs. This seems to have fixed the problem as it has not misfired in almost 3 weeks.

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Saturday, June 26th, 2010 AT 7:18 AM