Engine low power, sputters a few times and shuts off?

Tiny
CARLSP
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 DODGE NITRO
  • 3.7L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My vehicle starts and idles just fine, no issues. Once warm it sits around 600 RPMs. When I try to rev up the engine it gets to around 2,800 -3,000 RPMs and then just bogs down. I let off the throttle and it goes back to a perfect idle again. If I try to pump the throttle to keep the revs up it just chugs and sputters a few times and shuts off. I can start it again and it will sit and idle perfectly. Try rev it and same problem again. The same happens randomly when I am driving. All of a sudden it will lose power and the engine sputters like it is out of gas and if I try to pump the throttle to keep it running, it just shuts off. Give it a minute and it starts back up, but the issue still persists. I have to let it sit for an hour or two and then I can drive it again for a little bit. There are no "check engine" or any other trouble lights lit up on the dash except for the tire pressure sensors, it says the tires are a little low. I have put a OBD2 scanner on it and it comes back clear. I have a little knowledge of how an engine works and I am good with my hands. If I could possibly point me in the right direction or suggest some possible areas to start looking in for what could be causing this problem, it would truly be appreciated. Thank you.
Sunday, December 17th, 2023 AT 8:55 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,535 POSTS
Hi,

If there are no trouble codes, the first things I suspect are either low fuel pressure or the crankshaft position sensor (CKP). The CKP can fail and not produce a trouble code. Also, if the engine is running out of fuel, it won't set a code.

Does your scan tool read live data? If it does, let me know. Also, take a look through this link and let me know if it seems to mirror what you experienced:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Also, here is a link that explains in general how to check fuel pressure. You will need a fuel pressure gauge, but most parts stores will lend one to you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

If you look below, I attached the manufacturer's fuel pressure specifications.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.

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Sunday, December 17th, 2023 AT 8:01 PM

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