2002 Saturn SL2 - Sputtering under load

[polarsusd81]

Hey guys,

I have a 2002 Saturn SL2, 1.9 DOHC, Auto, with 113,xxx miles on it. Yesterday it started sputtering pretty bad when I am trying to accelerate. It also seems to do it a bit when idling at a stop light. When driving a constant speed there are no issues, but if I try to accelerate to pass someone or have to go up hill, it seems to act up again.

To note, the secondary air injection system is messed up and trips the SES light but I have been told by a couple of mechanics that the secondary air injection system is only used during initial startup. Are they blowing smoke and it could be causing the issue?

The car does burn a little oil, about 3/4 of a quart through 3000 miles.

Could the injectors possibly be doing this? I replaced the fuel filter at about 95,000 miles, so that should be good. I also did plugs and wires about 90,000 miles. Tonight when I get home I will pull the plugs to see if any are fouled out.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Tom

[Jeremy airjer W]

Plugs, Wires, and check the coil terminals for corrosion.

[RiverFish]

Airjer,

Do you have a general idea at cost of replacing plugs and wires? I have a 2001 Saturn SL2 that I think needs new wires and plugs.

Thanks.

[Jeremy airjer W]

about $8 for plugs (ngk or nippendeso o.e. plug) and $20 for wires.

[polarsusd81]

Thanks Jeremy.

Beings I had changed them out 25k ago, I didn't even think of plugs and wires. The old Taurus was doing the same thing a couple years ago, you said the same thing and that fixed it. Hopefully it is that simple, and I bet it is. I will report back when the job is done. Thanks again.

[polarsusd81]

Most certainly plugs, well one in particular.

Question is, what would cause a failure of the plug to that extreme. I used a light and mini mirror and couldn't find any bits of the plug in the cylinder, but I want to find a scope cam to take a better look.

Also, experienced just a bit of rough idle when at stoplights in with the car in drive this morning. Wasn't major but you could tell it was happening if you paid attention.

Thanks again Jeremy.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I don't know what plugs those are but they didn't belong in your car! I hope you used the correct plug this time?

I'm wondering if that cylinder is running lean or if the plug was defective?

was the boot on the wire burnt up also? kind of looks like maybe the plug was loose?

[polarsusd81]

The plug was a bit loose in there. I thought I had done plugs on the car earlier, but was mistaken. I put them in my old Taurus about the same time this car had 90k. It was my wife's old car that I adopted after she got a new one a few weeks back. Couldn't remember which car I did what to when I was typing the original post.

Yeah, standard AC Delco copper plugs in there now. The boot wire was not burned like that from what I could tell.

It was garbage day today and I threw the plugs and wires in the can. I shoulda kept em a little longer to take another look.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I would check the plug that is in the cylinder that the burnt up plug came out of after about 3k or so just to see what it is doing.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

I have seen plugs do that when loose in the head on multiple 3V fords....

[polarsusd81]

Still having issues, going to pull the plug again to check if it is fouled. Also going to do a compression test on it. Buddy is coming over with a scope cam Saturday to take a look as well. Hearing an occasional knock. Thinking part of that plug may have damaged a valve. Located a couple complete heads for 100 bucks or so. Just hope the cylinder isn't scored. Wish me luck.