Q: Truck stutters when climbing long inclines

asked by on February 12, 2016

My truck stutters when climbing long inclines at 50 to 55 MPH. I am also getting short bursts of lost power. The shop said that the spark plugs are getting fouled by coolant. The truck does have 240,000+ miles on it.

Engine is sputtering Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The motor is probably shot. It sounds as though the head gasket is blown, allowing coolant into the engine; when that happens, all you can do is replace the engine or rebuild it. I would recommend taking it to a mechanic to have the stuttering issue closely inspected.

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

Doors keep unlocking. Using both manual and auto-lock.
I would have a technician inspect your electrical system (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/electrical-components-are-not-working-inspection). It sounds like you may have some electrical problems. There could be a shorted wire where the wires go into the doors or you may have a bad lock sensor...
Rear differential leak
Hello. Depending on where the leak is coming from, this will determine what needs to be done. If it is coming from the front pinion seal, then it may be the pinion bearing. This is a common failure on this...
Fuel pressure drops
The fuel pressure is held up to the injectors by the fuel pump itself. The pump has a one way check ball built into it. The pump will hold the pressure up to the fuel pressure regulator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pressure-regulator-replacement) and the...
Cabin fan inop - no heat or A/C
While you have it turned on, try wiggling the wires to the resistor and blower motor to see if you have a poor wire connection. If it still will not come on again, then you may have burned out the...
What causes my van to not shift speeds correctly
The shifting is controlled by the transmission control module and if the shift light is flashing then the module is detecting a problem in one of the sensors (like a speed sensor which will cause the module to set a...
Will all of the steering colomns in the link work for my 87 dodge diplomat? http://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi
The Car-Part.com (http://car-part.com) database uses interchange data to display parts matches for individual makes, models and years. As you know, there is a proliferation of part variations that can often make it maddening to obtain exact and appropriate replacement parts....
severe driving condition
The vehicle manufacturer publishes a severe service schedule for your car. If I knew your year, make, model, and engine size I could give you a precise answer based on manufacturer data. The Owner's Manual will certainly have the schedule....
Three warning lights are on - the check engine, battery, and immobilizer, and my car won't start.
The theft light being on will cause the no start. If you have a second key then you need to try it to see if it starts? If not then disconnect the battery for ten minutes with key out of...
I have a remote starter that won’t start my car
It is not clear if only the remote start feature is not working or the engine won't start use conventional, in car starting as well. If just the remote start function is not working, the problem is likely in the...

Related articles

How to Find Top Dead Center
There There are many reasons why you might need to find an engine’s top dead center. Top dead center is the point when the piston of the number one cylinder in an engine is at its highest point, and on...
How to Drive a Prius in the Winter
Driving Driving during extreme weather conditions brings its own challenges. For example, snow and ice can make roads slippery, causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles. It can also be hard to stop when the roads are too slick....
What type of vehicle is right for you?
Sedans, coupes, convertibles, minivans, crossovers, hatchbacks, station wagons, SUVs, and pickups. Let us help you decide which to choose.