for the past week or so, ive developed a worsening case of stuttering/hesitation which resolves into power surges every now and then. first thought: plugs/wires/coil yadayadayada. i wasnt too worried about it (i can still get around) so ive put off buying the new components. plus my ex somehow mustve ended up w/ my multimeter when we split up so i cant really test anything GRRR!!!

a couple of days ago, i noticed a different sound: a popping that seems to come from right underneath my feet below the floorboard. it doesnt happen during idle (the stuttering does though), so its impossible for me to really localize it. it sounds like a person cracking a knuckle loudly, lol. it happens when im accelterating, never at steady throttle or idle. is that an intake backfire?!?!? i cant explain it, but im hoping its not a mechanical issue, or somthing else unrelated to my other problem. any ideas?

oh yea, and this is a DOHC neon, lol. not quite the same trans/drivetrain as the eclipse..but close enough. ;)

I dunno what to tell you, but my car makes A LOT of ping and pang noises every now and then..but I don't have that stuttering problem neither...:shrug

- Marc

check to make sure the spark isnt arcing to the head. i had some shit plug wires and thats what happened to me. you'll be able to tell by a burnt mark running down the plug to the head. bad imo.

the popping is in ten intake manifold...i think....mine used to pop occasionally when under heavy accel. plugs were bad so i bought them and new wires and it was all good.

You went hotter didnt you? ;) I can tell by the hellacious burnout. lol.

i am have had a silmiliar problem for about a year now, i replaced all the sensors, and tore down the head all to no prevail, but just today i happen to be looking at my volt gauge as it did this, and it spikes from a "normal" 13.1 to over 14 so i think i will try a new altenator, if it fixes the problem i will let u know

THANKS GUYS!

the coil isnt arching to the head...my wires arent THAT bad. :P i was thinking that the popping could be an intake backfire, but its hard to tell without having someone else drive around w/ me in the engine bay. its comforting that plugs/wires fixed that sound, as i suspect plugs/wires as well. to be honest with you...the real reason i asked about if there could be a mechanical problem is that i left my oil cap off for about a month. WOOPS! im hoing a leaf or twig didnt fall in there. :cry