Stratus sputtering going uphill
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Stratus sputtering going uphill
I have a 4 cylinder 06 Dodge Stratus SXT and recently my check engine light came on with a code for a misfire in the 3rd cylinder. Shortly after the light came on then my car starting having issues going uphill. It starts sputtering light it isn't getting enough gas. It happens normally at around 2200 RPM but is fine when I am on flat ground or going downhill.
Initally I thought it was tied to my spark plugs since I was also having issues with it starting right away. After I replaced those the car started better but the sputtering/hesitating continued. Yesterday I replaced the spark plug wires and took it for a test drive. I drove it about 10 miles and the check engine light never came on and it did just fine going uphills. Then today after driving for about an hour the check engine light came back on and the car started hesitating going uphill again at about 2200RPM.
Had taken it to the Dodge dealership and they thought it might be a burnt valve in the third cylinder and were estimating a $1500 repair. This doesn't sound right though because the the pressure in the third valve was 120 and the other 3 were 160. If it was a burnt valve wouldn't the pressure be down a lot lower.
Have not replaced the fuel filter/pump yet but that is where I am leaning toward. Car only has 83K miles on it so I wouldn't think I would have a bad tank and rust issues clogging up my intake tubes.
As a side note during the winter I had my check engine light come on. After this I put a bottle of Heet Gas Line Antifreeze and the light went off. Not sure if this is tied in with the potential fuel pump issue. Any help would be much appreciated.
Initally I thought it was tied to my spark plugs since I was also having issues with it starting right away. After I replaced those the car started better but the sputtering/hesitating continued. Yesterday I replaced the spark plug wires and took it for a test drive. I drove it about 10 miles and the check engine light never came on and it did just fine going uphills. Then today after driving for about an hour the check engine light came back on and the car started hesitating going uphill again at about 2200RPM.
Had taken it to the Dodge dealership and they thought it might be a burnt valve in the third cylinder and were estimating a $1500 repair. This doesn't sound right though because the the pressure in the third valve was 120 and the other 3 were 160. If it was a burnt valve wouldn't the pressure be down a lot lower.
Have not replaced the fuel filter/pump yet but that is where I am leaning toward. Car only has 83K miles on it so I wouldn't think I would have a bad tank and rust issues clogging up my intake tubes.
As a side note during the winter I had my check engine light come on. After this I put a bottle of Heet Gas Line Antifreeze and the light went off. Not sure if this is tied in with the potential fuel pump issue. Any help would be much appreciated.
Welcome to DF
A compression test will give you yes I have compression or no I don't. A burnt valve will seal and show compression. What should have been done, was a leak down test. This let you know if you leakage pass the valves or the piston rings. Or no leakage at all.
A compression test will give you yes I have compression or no I don't. A burnt valve will seal and show compression. What should have been done, was a leak down test. This let you know if you leakage pass the valves or the piston rings. Or no leakage at all.
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Thanks for the advice. They did a leak down test and found that is was coming out the exhaust. So it's looking like a burnt exhaust valve. Compression test came back lower at 85 psi this time. What else do you think I should have done with this. Since they are in there and it's at 80k I think I'll have them do the timing belt any other advice?