car is sputtering

[Dtackett]

Ok so I tried to teach my wife to drive a manual yesterday and after she stalled It about 5 times it started sputtering, it lost just enough power for me to notice my question is could she have fouled a spark plug and that's causing it, or Is it something more serious?

 

[Slo_Teggy]

probably flooded it. Drive for a bit, should be fine. That or she blew your headgasket.

 

[Dtackett]

probably flooded it. Drive for a bit, should be fine. That or she blew your headgasket.

Anyway to check head gasket?

 

[Slo_Teggy]

Pressure test. Either get a buddy with a kit or bring to a shop. That, and you'll see black or white smoke out the exhaust when you rev it up (burning oil or coolant).

 

[j13]

Did the car over heat? I doubt you blew your headgasket.

fouling a spark plug, that could be the problem. Just take it on the highway, blow the junk out and test it on the street again

 

[Slo_Teggy]

Doubt it as well but it's a possibility. I wouldn't drive on the highway if the car isn't running properly. If you have to drive it fast (on the highway), then don't drive hard. I would start with a pressure test. Maybe the timing belt is loose and it jumped a notch. I would make sure everything is lined up to TDC (top dead center) first. It's free to check and takes 10 minutes. If it is, I would suggest a pressure test. If the pressure test says it's holding pressure, then take it for a rip and see if there is just something gunked up.

Rule #1 though, do not get mad at the wife. She's probably very nervous to ruin your car when learning so the last thing you want to do is discourage. When I was teaching my girlfriend, she was bad. She was saying she didn't want to ruin anything. I laughed and said I'll just fix it, it's only a car.

 

[j13]

Rule #1 though, do not get mad at the wife. She's probably very nervous to ruin your car when learning so the last thing you want to do is discourage. When I was teaching my girlfriend, she was bad. She was saying she didn't want to ruin anything. I laughed and said I'll just fix it, it's only a car.

^^this

 

[Dtackett]

Thanks guys but it was the sparkplugs, I took the old ones out and they were beyond fouled, so I replaced all 4 with Bosch platinum +4 plugs and it runs like a charm. Decided to play a little bit and managed to burn through 1st, and a little in second.