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Sputters at idle, but drives fine?

Tiny
TURFDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
  • 2.7L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 217,000 MILES
I decided to change the spark plugs and the last time I changed them was 100,000 miles now it’s 200,000. While changing the front three cylinders because they were easy to get to first. I noticed the middle spark plug well was full of oil. Unfortunately, I pulled the plug out drained all the oil in the cylinder which I know is wrong. So, I decided to change the valve cover gasket. Bought a kit changed it put the new plugs in started. It blew out as much oil as I could, everything was okay. Now I’m getting a sputter at idle and in drive or reverse. Once you get going, it’s perfectly fine so I changed all the spark plug wires but I’m still getting it. I don’t see any vacuum hose leaks and I’ve changed the ignition modular twice. Any other ideas?
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Sunday, December 18th, 2022 AT 11:55 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,072 POSTS
You must use the correct spark plugs for the engine or it will not run correctly. Also, I would test for a vacuum leak.

NGK .................... PFR5N-11
Champion.................... RC10YCPB4

Gap .................... 1.0 - 1.1 mm (0.039 - 0.043 in)

Do this test when the engine is cold only.

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

Also did you service the throttle body when you had it apart?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Please go over these guides and report back.
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Monday, December 19th, 2022 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
TURFDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
Okay, so I checked all the vacuum lines. All the hoses are good, but I could hear air leaking. On investigation I found what I believe is between the throttle positioning sensor, and another sensor air leaking out. There is another sensor right in front of the throttle positioning sensor. I don’t know exactly what it is. But in between the two I can feel air. Is it possible that the throttle positioning sensor is bad and it’s leaking out of there all of this is near the throttle body. I can’t see any other indication of where else it could be.
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Monday, January 2nd, 2023 AT 11:39 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,072 POSTS
Yes, the throttle bore can be worn allowing vacuum to leak out at the butterfly shaft. CAN you remove the throttle bore to confirm? Here is how to remove it, if it seems okay, please service the unit once it is removed.

Here is a guide to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023 AT 10:57 AM
Tiny
TURFDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
I clean the throttle body I even replace D throttle positioning sensor. It was missing the O-ring. No air is coming out in that area anymore, but I still have that little Miss only in drive and reverse Is it bad. What’s next?
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Friday, January 6th, 2023 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,072 POSTS
Can you upload a video of the engine misfiring so I can see what's going on? I would run the codes as well. You could have a cylinder that is low on compression.

please check out this guide to help us see:

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

You might want to try to clean the MAF sensor or replace it.

here is a guide to walk you through the steps:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mass-air-flow-service

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Saturday, January 7th, 2023 AT 10:52 AM
Tiny
TURFDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
It’s not like this hasn’t happened before to me so it’s very familiar. I just always forget what it is.
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Saturday, January 7th, 2023 AT 12:42 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,072 POSTS
Yep, this is ignition related, thanks for the video. If all the spark plugs are new and correctly gapped, I would do a set of ignition coils and wires. Let me know.
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Sunday, January 8th, 2023 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
TURFDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
I did the wires with the plugs. Is there any way to check the individual modulars? There’s three. One modular for two cylinders. I know you can change one modular on the ignition. It’s not a coil. It’s a modular of some sort. I’ve bought it once before; the whole set is only like $120. But if I could buy an individual modular if I could just pinpoint the one that’s bad.
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Sunday, January 8th, 2023 AT 6:18 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,072 POSTS
It shows it as the coil as one piece in my manual. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone?
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Monday, January 9th, 2023 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
TURFDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
Tried changing the ignition module I had an extra. It’s still happened, and it came up with a check engine light that said P0305, which was misfire cylinder number five. I cleared it and went away, and it hasn’t come back yet. I’m assuming a bad wire because that was the same cylinder, I had a bad wire with last time. Check it tomorrow. Check the plugs wires and then if everything’s good and then ignition modular.
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Saturday, January 28th, 2023 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Sounds good. Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.
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Sunday, January 29th, 2023 AT 2:00 PM
Tiny
TURFDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
Another problem arose last night. My son broke down in the car. I have a pretty decent code reader that he used and one of the codes was the crankshaft positioning sensor. I’ve had problems with that in the past when that sensor goes, the car will not run at all When it’s still working, but starting to fail, it puts the car in limp mode. So, I’m going to try changing that it won’t get rid of the misfire but at least it’ll run. I hope actually, I am really feeling that it’s time to get rid of this car. Lol.
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Sunday, January 29th, 2023 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Lol yep, they get problematic as they get older. If you still have issues please start a new question but please let us know.
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Monday, January 30th, 2023 AT 11:07 AM

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