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Running rough/choppy

Tiny
FKBRIGGS61
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 180,000 MILES
Started running rough. Kind of like skipping real bad especially when you give it gas. It's a stick shift and when you let off the gas like when changing gears or slowing down for light or something it kind of calms down. Give it gas it gets real jerky like spitting and sputtering. Changed plugs and wires. Filled gas tank with premium gas and added gas treatment none of which has helped. Temperature gauge wasn't working right but had some water, went to add water and didn't seem to be over heated or steam coming from radiator.

Wondering if it could be bearing in water pump going bad or gone bad and not circulating water like it should and causing to run rough like that. Also runs rough/choppy while idling.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 2:14 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
More then likely this is ignition or fuel related and not related to a bearing or water pump. Let's let it idle and run rough and check the fuel pressure when it is doing this. Let me know what the PSI is and we can go from there. The fact that you replaced plugs and wires, we need to start with fuel. Once we rule that out we can move back to the ignition.

Here is a guide that helps with this:

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

Here is a guide that will help with a misfire issue which is what this sounds like:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Let me know the fuel pressure and then we can act accordingly. Thanks
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
FKBRIGGS61
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Okay, so wasn't able to get a meter to get readings but went ahead and replaced the fuel filter which was dirty and clogged. Also replaced one of the coil packs because they said one of them wasn't working. With that being said these changes did help somewhat but it still does not run like before. There is still a sputtering/fluttering when you give it gas. When you let off gas to change gears or slow down it smooths back out.
Was wondering if it could be tail pipe or muffler or one of the 02 censors?
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Sunday, October 25th, 2020 AT 9:06 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
It is possible that a restricted exhaust could cause this but it unlikely with what you did and changed. I would say we stick with a fuel issue and prove out that you have good fuel pressure. I understand you didn't get the gauge but do you think you can rent one from a local parts store? Most of them have them on rental programs and they are easy to use so I would say we get the fuel pressure before we go any further because if that is not ok then we need to solve that first.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Monday, October 26th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
FKBRIGGS61
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Okay, I will try to get the tester before I go to work today or at least in the next day or so and I will let you know what I find out. Thank you so very much for your help and I will be in touch.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:22 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sounds great. Thanks for the update. We will wait to hear back.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 4:22 PM

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