Truck sputtering upon acceleration - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

amikk97 · 07-08-2015, 06:13 PM

okay, pretty much as the title says, my truck keeps making this sputtering sound when i accelerate in drive and reverse. it was doing this sparsley for a couple months, but now its getting worse. i can still drive, but most of the time it just sputters out like its going to die, then comes back and does the same. i cant get over 15 mph basically. i have a little over a 1/4 of a tank of gas, coul that be whats doing it? thats my only guess, besides that im stumped. please help

rich weyand · 07-08-2015, 07:09 PM

Make sure the distributor is bolted down tight. Grab it and try to twist it.

What you are describing is exactly what will happen if the distributor is loose and wanders retarded. There are other possible causes, too, of course, but this is cheap to check/fix.

amikk97 · 07-08-2015, 07:56 PM

just went out and looked, the dist. didnt twist at all but i still tightened it as much as i could but it still is sputtering. it has gotten better now since it started about 4 hrs ago, but i still want to get this fixed. could it be fouled plugs? i pulled one and it was clean but i know that just looking at one wont tell me anything. any other thoughts everyone?

rich weyand · 07-09-2015, 02:57 AM

Did you check the timing while you were out there?

amikk97 · 07-09-2015, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich weyand

Did you check the timing while you were out there?

i did not, how would i do that?

Liberty · 07-09-2015, 10:18 AM

Still have your Catalytic Converter?

If you do, try smacking it with a mallet or hammer.

wilkin250r · 07-09-2015, 02:42 PM

I assume you're talking about the truck in your signature, "Grandpa's '87 Sierra R1500"? Which would be TBI?

I've seen fuel pumps cause this. Sometimes the pump will barely work, providing enough flow and pressure for idle, but not enough for acceleration. It's rare, because usually the pumps work fine or not at all, but rare isn't impossible.

Dead Parrot · 07-09-2015, 05:01 PM

If carb, check suction line from tank to metal gas line.
Could be mostly plugged fuel filter.

Could be out of gas and have a bad gauge/sender. Add a few gallons and see if it improves. Don't fill it in case you have to drop the tank.

Cracked dist cap or bad rotor or rotor button.

FarmerDale · 07-09-2015, 08:04 PM

Another thought. Old gas?

07-08-2015, 06:13 PM	#1
amikk97 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Connecticut Posts: 51	Truck sputtering upon acceleration okay, pretty much as the title says, my truck keeps making this sputtering sound when i accelerate in drive and reverse. it was doing this sparsley for a couple months, but now its getting worse. i can still drive, but most of the time it just sputters out like its going to die, then comes back and does the same. i cant get over 15 mph basically. i have a little over a 1/4 of a tank of gas, coul that be whats doing it? thats my only guess, besides that im stumped. please help __________________ Grandpa's '87 Sierra R1500.

07-08-2015, 07:09 PM	#2
rich weyand Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bloomington Indiana Posts: 1,041	Re: Truck sputtering upon acceleration Make sure the distributor is bolted down tight. Grab it and try to twist it. What you are describing is exactly what will happen if the distributor is loose and wanders retarded. There are other possible causes, too, of course, but this is cheap to check/fix. __________________ Rich Weyand 1978 K10 RCSB DD.

07-08-2015, 07:56 PM	#3
amikk97 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Connecticut Posts: 51	Re: Truck sputtering upon acceleration just went out and looked, the dist. didnt twist at all but i still tightened it as much as i could but it still is sputtering. it has gotten better now since it started about 4 hrs ago, but i still want to get this fixed. could it be fouled plugs? i pulled one and it was clean but i know that just looking at one wont tell me anything. any other thoughts everyone? __________________ Grandpa's '87 Sierra R1500.

07-09-2015, 02:57 AM	#4
rich weyand Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bloomington Indiana Posts: 1,041	Re: Truck sputtering upon acceleration Did you check the timing while you were out there? __________________ Rich Weyand 1978 K10 RCSB DD.

07-09-2015, 10:18 AM	#6
Liberty Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Bonham, Texas Posts: 241	Re: Truck sputtering upon acceleration Still have your Catalytic Converter? If you do, try smacking it with a mallet or hammer.

07-09-2015, 02:42 PM	#7
wilkin250r Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lake Tahoe, Nevada Posts: 755	Re: Truck sputtering upon acceleration I assume you're talking about the truck in your signature, "Grandpa's '87 Sierra R1500"? Which would be TBI? I've seen fuel pumps cause this. Sometimes the pump will barely work, providing enough flow and pressure for idle, but not enough for acceleration. It's rare, because usually the pumps work fine or not at all, but rare isn't impossible. __________________ I know a little about cars, but if you have a question about electricity or sport quads, I'm your man!!!

07-09-2015, 05:01 PM	#8
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,611	Re: Truck sputtering upon acceleration If carb, check suction line from tank to metal gas line. Could be mostly plugged fuel filter. Could be out of gas and have a bad gauge/sender. Add a few gallons and see if it improves. Don't fill it in case you have to drop the tank. Cracked dist cap or bad rotor or rotor button.

07-09-2015, 08:04 PM	#9
FarmerDale Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Easton,mn Posts: 22	Re: Truck sputtering upon acceleration Another thought. Old gas?

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