Hi all, new member here. been looking all over for a similar problem as me but having no luck so posting here for the experts.
so I recently changed the Timing Belt and Crank Position Sensor on my 04 Sorento 3.5L due to code P0335. Car ran fine for a few days but then suddenly started sputtering upon starting up and during acceleration. this happened when I was leaving for work so really had no choice but to try and get it home.
Once home, I noticed water leaking from rear passenger side of engine compartment as if the AC was on.
After reading some post stating the AC might cause the sputtering I assumed that was the case but upon starting with the AC off the problem remains. I have started the vehicle at least three times in hopes that the check engine light will give hint as to what the issue is but it has not yet.
any suggestions for trouble shooting would be greatly appreciated.
Is it a water or coolant leak? Asking for help sight unseen as to CURRENT symptoms is akin to a "shot in the dark". Did you get fuel in those 3 days did it act PROPERLY or so-so during those 3 days? Sometimes one needs to BACKTRACK and RECHECK work already done.
Understood, I tried to give as much detail in the initial post without making it too long. it was water, similar to water drip when AC is running on a hot day. I know for sure it was not coolant. Also, the car ran fine for those three days post timing belt install I put about 150 miles on it with no issue what so ever.
I understand that I may need to recheck the work was just hoping someone else was having or had a similar issue, the lack of a check engine light considering how rough it is idling and running is what has me stumped. Could I have a timing issue and no check engine light? thanks
Yes, But could you have also gotten GAS and maybe picked up water in it or fuel filter plugging up or a fuel pump going bad, These will cause symptoms you describe and not turn on the CEL.
Ah, yes. in fact I filled the tank (it was below a quarter tank) on my lunch break the day the issue started. In fact the very next time i started the car ( to leave work) is when it started idling very poorly and sputtering.
Thank you, and how would one go about checking if the gas was contaminated with water? I called the gas station and they said no one else has complained. Since your last reply I've been looking at threads regarding fuel filter/pump changes, doesn't seem to be a big deal.
Not certain for exact steps for your model, but somehow get a sample and let it settle in a container to see if water is present.(water separates from gas). Reading that it will still run you could try some dry gas into the tank, will take some poor running to work thru. But I prefer seeing what the fuel is first. On an 04 model, not sure if it has or where a mounted externally gas filter would be. It may be internally mounted in the tank with fuel pump as an assembly. As I have an 09 Spectra.
Not sure what the issue could have been but seems to be fixed (fingers crossed)
I got home from work and started it up and it began to sputter again, I held the gas peddle down for about 30 seconds at roughly 2500 RPM. it idled fine after that so I loosed the gas cap and re-tightened it. Idle seemed fine so I took it for a spin (~20 miles) with the AC on for shits and giggles and it ran fine. let it idle in the drive for another 10 minutes, idle still fine. restarted and again nice smooth idle. I verified my initial thought that I had mistakenly turned the AC on when this issue started by witnessing the same water drip I mentioned in my first post upon returning from my 20 mile test drive.
At this point I can only assume that maybe since my AC had not been engaged in who know how long since I bought the vehicle in Nov and haven't had a need for it that the clutch may have added excess draw on the engine causing the rough idle and sputtering. Or maybe the gas cap was loose, who knows.
Regardless, thank you to those who suggested fixes
When I lived up north I used to use some dry gas available at a parts store. This helped some with moisture in the gas. Otherwise you can loosen the fuel pump where the ring is and syphon some gas into a glass jar. After a while it will separate and you can view two separate liquids. Gas stations usually put in a long wooden pole in the tank and pump out the water if it shows on the pole.
Advance and Auto Zone have loaner tools get a fuel pressure gauge and check the fuel pressure. The fitting is on the fuel rail about 4 inches back of the engine drivers side. It threads on like a bicycle pump for a tire, If you have a lot of water it has to be drained out.
On most all vehicles with A/C, when you use the defroster mode it kicks in the A/C compressor, Some "far Eastern" makes may not. But I doubt it was the compressor doing that on you, I think you got some water in the gas and has now run thru. BUT glad it seems to be running OKAY now!
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