1988 Dodge Van ENGINE PERFORMANCE

WILLISTEAZ

MEMBER
1988 DODGE VAN

Engine Performance problem
1988 Dodge Van V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 100k miles

MY VAN SPUTTERS/HESITATES WHEN I ACCELERATE. I HAVE TO FEATHER THE GAS PEDAL TO GET SOME SPEED. I CAN GET UP TO MAX SPEED BUT AT THE SAME TIME ITS SPUTTERING. IVE CHANGED SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, ROTOR, CAP, IGN. COIL. IN PARK I PRESS THE GAS AND IT SOUNDS SMOOTH. WHEN I PUT IN DRIVE AT THE SAME TIME PRESSING THE BRAKE AND GAS, ITS SPUTTERING AND BACKFIRING. THEN THE FUNNY THING ABOUT THIS, AFTER I DID ALL OF THIS, IPUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT DROVE MOOTH FOR A 1/4 OF A MILE THEN BACK TO THE SAME THING. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOESNT COMNE ON AT ALL. I COULD USE YOUR HELP. I HAVE A PICK UP COIL ON ORDER. LETS SEE IF THAT WILL FIX IT

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check and test the following below:

Oygen sensor
Dirty fuel injectors (cleaning the injectors often fixes this).
Bad MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor
Bad TPS (throttle position) sensor
Bad or dirty MAF (mass airflow) sensor
Low fuel pressure (leaky fuel pressure regulator or weak fuel pump)
Vacuum leaks (intake manifold, vacuum hoses, throttle body, EGR valve)
Bad gasoline (fuel contaminated with water or too much alcohol)

Sometimes, what feels like a hesitation is actually ignition misfire rather than lean misfire. The causes of ignition misfire may include:

Dirty or worn spark plugs
Bad plug wires
Weak ignition coil
Wet plug wires
Cap and Rotor

Note: If it doesn't apply, disregard.