Need Some Help Diagnosing a Engine Issue

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Before I get hate, I don't care so yeah, either help or don't post XD


I've got a 1999 Dodge Caravan Base 3.3L Non-Flex Fuel with 184k on it. The Vehicle is in really good shape save for a few small things, unrelated to this I might add (ie suspension). Recently it has developed an engine issue that I can't quite put my finger on. I should note before continuing that the vehicle has been well maintained over the years since we bought it.

4-5 months ago it developed a problem of really just running like poo. Poor idle quality, randomly stalling, sometimes to the point it's undriveable. It does not matter if the engine is cold or warm, it does it whenever it wants to. You can let it run for hours and it will be fine, other times it will kind of stutter etc. I can't really explain it.

The check engine light is not on, it hasn't been on recently either. I ran an OBD test on it today and came up with no codes. The only thing I could think of would be the throttle body getting gummed up from the crappy gas that is provided in my region. Ethanol with tons of additives don't help.

I have visually inspected it have not seen anything out of the usual. Everything appears to be ok so I'm pretty stumped here.

Can anyone help me out?
 
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Not a clogged fuel filter or dirty injectors? First thing I'd do if I had that problem would be run a bottle injector cleaner through a full tank of gas.
 
I had a similar issue with my old Caravan. It did end up being a clogged fuel filter. It's a pretty cheap and easy fix. I would start with that.
 
Koios
I had a similar issue with my old Caravan. It did end up being a clogged fuel filter. It's a pretty cheap and easy fix. I would start with that.
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This is the first thing I'd do also. While changing the filter see if you can "hotwire" the fuel pump and pump some fuel into a glass jar so you can see what the fuel looks like (you might have a fuel pump thats going bad/ getting clogged) . Be careful pumping fuel line as the newer pumps can run at close to 100 psi.
 
@Astonisbob

Everything was just replaced about a year to 6 months ago. Spark plugs + wires, injectors etc are all new.


@Koios

I'll have to take a look at that. That was the other thing I was thinking of besides the throttle body being gummed up. I'll have to crawl under there and take it off to get a good look at it. They aren't that expensive. Don't think, at least to my knowledge, that it's been replaced but it probably has at some point.
 
Could also be a clogged converter, but typically you have codes for this type of stuff. I would definitely try to clean out the intake via Seafoam or a similar type of chemical though.
 
I'll take a look at it when I rip it out.


It does need a new exhaust system but as I said there is no codes so I don't think that is the case. I don't think I have any Seafoam atm. Going to have to stop at Advanced Auto this week it looks like.
 
Found out earlier that both the fuel pump and in line filter had been replaced less than 10k miles ago....hmm.
 
Slashfan
Found out earlier that both the fuel pump and in line filter had been replaced less than 10k miles ago....hmm.
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I have a 1992 GEO Storm my daughter started driving about 3 mo. ago. The car sat for about 2 years and had to have the fuel pump replaced, after she drove it for about 1 mo. the "new" fuel pump went out and had to be replaced. Note the fuel pump was an aftermarket product. The crappy gas we have to use seems to do more damage than good.
 
I really think it is the crappy gas. But then all the rest of my vehicles theoretically should run the same way....
 
What about the coil packs, you said you replaced the plugs and wires, but not the coil packs.

What about the alternator? You would probably notice other problems if it wasn't working properly, but if it only happens at idle that could be worth taking a look at too.
 
Coils were tested when I replaced everything else and they seemed fine. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to check them again though.


It doesn't only happen at idle. It runs like crap whenever it wants.
 

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