Q: Car feels like it's going to stall when stopped, just had timing belt and water pump replaced. Is the timing off?

asked by on July 28, 2017

Recently had timing belt and water pump replaced in march and the car was running fine. Then the radiator and fan was replaced in June. Car was driving fine after all of the repairs. Just recently, and of June, the car started feeling like it was going to stall when stopped at a light and we have to put the car in neutral in order to make it idle normally. Could the timing be off or is there another issue with the car?
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car idle is rough Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

It’s not really likely that the timing is off. Modern cars with distributorless ignition rarely have any issues with the timing. If you’re having problems with your idle the first thing to look for is air leaks. Any air that gets into the engine without passing through the Air Mass Meter will lean out the fuel mixture and cause idling problems among other possible symptoms. Look under the hood for any hoses or rubber boots that are broken or in bad condition. If you don’t immediately find the problem there you may have a problem in the throttle body or the idle air valve. To find out for sure you can contact Your Mechanic to have a technician come to your home or office to check out your idling problem right there on the spot and tell you what can be done about it.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

I think I ran over a raccoon, what should I do?
If you feel there is any significant changes in the way vehicle handles, then there could be some damage. The only thing to recommend is to have the vehicle looked at just in case the raccoon hit the a/c condenser...
Can't find location of my canister purge valve
Hey there, thanks for writing in. The canister purge valve is located underneath the throttle body near the front of the motor. If you are unsure how to proceed with the code, a certified pro from YourMechanic can come to...
My window is rolled all the way down and won't roll back up. It is also not making any noise and it's just the drivers side.
Hey there. This is likely a short in the power window switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-window-switch-replacement) or potentially faulty or pinched wires. I would suggest removing the door panel to trace the wires to the power switch to make sure they are all...
Why is my power steering fluid leaking?
The first thing to do is to make sure the fluid is full in the power steering reservoir. Since you recently replaced a lot of components in the system I would recommend cleaning the area that is wet with fluid...
Car runs better if I unplug fuel injector 8 but makes a ticking noise and runs sluggish if it's connected 2006 Ford Mustang
Hello - your symptoms suggest a failing injector (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-a-good-quality-fuel-injector) . It appears to be leaking when it's plugged in, as well as noisy. Check for problem codes relating to a rich mixture,, although it's possible that the oxygen sensors for...
My air suspesion bag is bunched up on driver rear side what might be wrong its normal on left side
Hello, thank you for writing in. If one side is sagging or lower than the others, the air bag in the suspension is not being filled up and regulated. This is typically due to a failed compressor, or an issue...
car is shaking when I brake especially down hill and knocking sound when driving slowly
Hi there. What you are describing is typically an indication of a damaged wheel bearing as opposed to a brake system issue. The wheel bearing is designed to wear out over time and will cause vibrations, shaking and make sounds...
Can worn brakes cause power train malfunction light to illuminate in 13 ford edge?
It is not likely the brakes are causing the Powertrain light to come on unless you have brakes that are grinding metal to metal. This can cause excessive metal to get on the wheels antilock speed sensor and cause erratic...

Related articles

2005 Kia Sorento vs. 2005 Chevrolet Blazer: Which One Should I Buy?
SUVs are great for playing out in the mud, taking kids and friends around to different places, as well as just running errands around town. While they are not known to be terrific for gas mileage, that problem is negated...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Get Motion Sickness
For For people that suffer from motion sickness, even on the shortest car trip, riding in a vehicle can prove to be unbearable. What’s great is that there are a number of cars on the market that can help to...
Chrysler Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Car Program
If If you are shopping for a used Chrysler vehicle, you may want to check out cars under their certified pre-owned program. Many manufacturers have a certified pre-owned (CPO) program, and each one is set up differently. Read on to...