Engine shut off while driving?

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,904 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like you have a vacuum leak. Here are a couple of guides to help you confirm the problem and get it fixed:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

We should also run the codes to see what comes up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken

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Monday, September 7th, 2020 AT 2:30 PM (Merged)

ERFENDE

MEMBER
1 POST
2001 KIA OPTIMA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
189,000 MILES

My car has been recently stuttering when at idle then dies. Sometimes it doesn't do it. If I unplug my MAF it stops. I'm not sure if it is possible to drive without a MAF plugged in for a long time. I have replaced the MAF, 02 sensors, and filter. I have cleaned my MAF as of 20 mins ago and it ran fine then I turned it off and tried again and it jumped so bad it felt like the transmission was about to fall out. I also cleaned the Intake Air control valve and the throttle body.
I also replaced my radiator yesterday as well, it had some kind of gook (almost like stop leak) all in it and it wouldn't come out even after flushing it. So I just replaced it. I only need this car til February, then I am getting a new one and can afford to work on this one over time. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Monday, September 7th, 2020 AT 2:30 PM (Merged)

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi erfende,

Thank you for the donation.

Does the Check Engine Lamp indicates and did you try to retrieve for trouble coes?

Since you have unplug sensors, there could be false trouble codes so erase all trouble codes and after a test drive, check for trouble codes again.

Let me know what you find.

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Monday, September 7th, 2020 AT 2:30 PM (Merged)

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

Old school reply, use some fuel additive. There may be some setements in the fuel tank that cuts down on fuel supply to the engine. Also I would change the fuel filter, those are the cheapest and most sensable things to do.

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Monday, September 7th, 2020 AT 2:30 PM (Merged)

BOWSER12

MEMBER
1 POST
2001 KIA OPTIMA
151,786 MILES

Every time my car sits out in the sun or when its hot out, when I drive it, my RPMs will fluctuate from normal, which is around 2000, up to 3000 and down to 0 then back to normal. Sometimes is stays at 0 for a few seconds before shooting back up. A few times I've even had my engine totally quit on me and I can't get it started back up unless I let it sit for a little bit. I was just wondering if you could tell me what could cause it to do this.