Just bought car. sometimes spits and sputters. sometimes dotn wanna start w/o excessive cranking. has been run outta gas a few times recently tho by previous owner.

SOURCE: Car won't run.Turns over & sputters, but won't stay running.

How hot did it get before you chg. thermostat? Could have jumped time, timming chain maybe, cracked head, or head gasget. whatever it is don't sound good. Oil smoke, flame throer, that meny mi. motor junk........ Not what you want to hear i know.

SOURCE: car spits and sputters and stalls after driving a while

sounds like a fuel pump problem,with fuel pumps u can have pressure but not enough volume,try goin up a steeper hill in 2nd gear and get about 3000 rpms on the engine and see if it really drops out bad and is really gutless,if that happens without a check engine light coming on it might be yur pump and u should also replace the fuel filter at the same time,hope this helps

SOURCE: After starting car it sputters and white smoke

Your head gasket has a break in it,and ,or a cracked head. Be careful
not to let the engine overheat,and cause severe engine damage. I'd
suggest not using the vehicle,until you have it repaired. Good luck.

Ronny Bennett Sr.

• 6988 Answers
• Posted on Apr 25, 2010

SOURCE: car runs for a while then dies acts like it's out

have the fuel pressure checked,the fuel pump may be going out.

SOURCE: 99 olds silhouette... changed plugs wires and coil

will try to help,are you sure the fuel pump comes on and runs through the whole cycle of turning key on for 10 seconds through at least 5 cycles? the timing light may be picking up the crankshaft positioning sensor signal, it's magnetic pulse. and then again you could be dealing with a bad timing chain or belt,most likely chain driven. am trying to help, but not sure unless i hear it onsite. at least this may point you to something. sorry at no charge, hope this helps and thank you for choosing fixya.com if no help please repost!!!1