Rough idle and acceleration

Tiny
MARKIEP500
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 KIA OPTIMA
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
Car hesitates/sputters when trying to accelerate at moderate speed (around 60MPH). Car will then idle very rough (almost stall) when I pull over and check engine light will come on. Turning the car off will eliminate the light, and the car will idle normal. Issue repeats itself when I get up to speed again. 60-65MPH seems to be the trouble-spot.
Monday, November 17th, 2014 AT 9:36 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,605 POSTS
It sounds like the engine is misfiring. This can be caused by low compression or bad spark plugs. Here are a few guides that we help us find the problem and fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-spark-plugs

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

We should also read the codes to see what come up like a cylinder misfire code which will lets us know which cylinder is having the problem.

Please let us know what happens and upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken

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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:48 PM
Tiny
AMS14
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 KIA OPTIMA
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
Rough idle only happens when I fill up my gas tank. It will last for a short period of time but once I turn off and restart again it runs fine until I fill up again. Also notice when this happens it struggles to get my speed up acts as if I'm running out of gas.
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Scan for codes and check fuel pressure with a gauge autoparts rent them
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RODNEY E WILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 KIA OPTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • 150,000 MILES
My car started exhibiting a problem about fifteen minutes of running so it had plenty of time to warm up to normal running temperature. It started when I had accelerated from a stop. I noticed that the power was reduced but it wasn't sputtering. It seemed though to confuse the transmission, it was hesitating between gears. When I had to stop at a traffic signal it felt as though the car was going to stall but did not. It drove fine, no sputtering or hesitating although it was shifting through the gears with a lag. When I pulled into my driveway and put it in park, the idle was improved although the engine had a slight shake. Restarting it didn't change the symptoms. I changed the plugs but no change. I pulled the coil packs and ohm'ed them and both read the same. I know the coil packs can read good but have a problem when voltage is applied. I am retired and on a limited budget so I do not want to throw money at it. It appears to me to be something in the electrical system, is there a way to check voltage to the coil packs and back track from there? Or has anyone had a similar problem that might lead me to a fix?
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,605 POSTS
Hello,

I would start by checking the car for trouble codes. Here is a guide that will help you get the codes.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCOTTIEYEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 KIA OPTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 104,000 MILES
Why is my kia optima 2002 idle very rough after washing my engine out
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Check the spark plugs for presence of water. It would misfire if water is present.
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:48 PM (Merged)

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