88 Vert Spitting and Sputtering
 

I need some ideas and I can't seem to find my specific symptoms in the archives. Every since I have owned my car (since 1996) It has, on it's own without warning started to spit and sputter. And as quickly as it started it would just stop. This sometimes last days and sometimes months (it has gone as long as a couple of years without the spitting and sputtering). When it's not spitting and sputtering it runs like a champ. When it does start sputtering it also won't stay cranked at initial start-up (I have to hold the gas peddle down and hold idle for a couple of minutes) Also, it does this no matter what speed, I can be holding 90 and it will start spitting and sputtering and the car starts jumping like a bucking bronco but when I accelerate a little it will smooth out. Any suggestions on what's going on here? I was hoping it would work itself out but it seems to be happening in more frequent intervals these days. My first thought was injectors so I have gone through several types of injector and fuel system cleaners to no avail.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am on a mission to find this gremlin. It is my last mechanical issue before I start working on internal and external cosmetics.

Ok nobody is having or has had this type of problem?

i had a problem similar to you. turned out to be a bad water thermo sensor. try unplugging it when symptoms occur

If you've done a full tuneup including spark plugs, spark plug wires, fuel filter, oil filter, checked timing, etc...

- Check that the TPS is within adjustment using the voltage test.
- Then check the various engine grounds including the 18 gauge wire that goes from the firewall to slave cylinder on the transmission (might be a Series V only wire).
- Check the coils to make sure one's not going bad.
- Check for vacuum leaks.

You can also download the shop manual and go through the troubleshooting procedure.