Engine sputtering/shaking/stalling at idle no codes?

Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 2017 KIA RIO
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91,789 MILES
Suddenly started to sputter and stall acting like it's misfiring while driving and at idle but there are no OBD codes. I'm thinking a fuel filter or maybe clogged catalytic converter. Every time you start the engine it runs rough and stalls, it won't go past 1500rpm. Spark plugs look decent. Please let me know what you think. Thank you.
Friday, January 17th, 2025 AT 6:59 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,003 POSTS
Can ask how the engine sounds while cranking normal? There is no fuel filter on this car. As far as the catalytic converter is concerned you will usually get a P0420 code but not every time, let's start at the basics and see if the engine is okay mechanically. Here is a guide to help check the compression so we don't spin out wheels going in the wrong direction:

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

I would take a rubber mallet and tap the exhaust system to see if you hear something rattling inside which is a sign the cat is bad. If you upload a short video of the engine cranking I can tell if it is hurt or not. Please go over this guide and get back to us.

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, January 18th, 2025 AT 11:58 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Yes I will do that, and yes, those GDI, s are not the best. I will upload a video ASAP. I will also try to do the compression test in the meantime. Thank you
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 20th, 2025 AT 8:10 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,003 POSTS
That would be good, that way I can see what's going on. Let me know what you find.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 21st, 2025 AT 10:14 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Still haven't been able to do the compression test but here's the video for now. Will update once I've done the test. Thanks
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 21st, 2025 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,003 POSTS
Thanks for the video. It looks like the camshaft phasers are not working right, I would change the oil and filter so it will help the system work correctly, you can see by the video the engine loses its camshaft timing and starts to run rough, thanks it helps. Also, have you changed the spark plugs and coil lately? It might be time for a tune up as well. Let me know what happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 AT 8:53 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Sounds good, I will go ahead and change the oil and spark plugs for now, also should I put in engine lube addictive such as liquid molly or BG's. Would you recommend that especially being the GDI engine which are prone to carbonization? Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 AT 9:42 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,003 POSTS
Yes, oil additives help, I like Lucas oil treatment as well. Let me know how it goes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Update!
The oil and filter have been replaced along with the spark plugs. The car starts and idles fine. As soon as you increase the RPMs passed 2000 RPMs it starts to stall and sputter whether it's in park or driving. I tested the compression and all four cylinders, and everything is within the normal range. I also took out the cam phaser actuator which looked okay cleaned it out a bit, it did not make any difference. However, I noticed when you unplug the connector to the actuator while the car is running it does not make any difference. Do you think it can be the actuator despite it not throwing any codes? I let it run for about 20-30 minutes after replacing oil and spark plugs to flush out the phasers. It does sound like a timing issue because when I try to increase the RPMs, and the engine starts to start it smells like it's running a bit rich. Also, if all else fails do you think removing a valve cover and cleaning the phasers out with some parts cleaner and blowing it out, but air compressor would benefit it? I also uploaded a new video. Thanks
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,003 POSTS
Thanks for the video, it sounds like the exhaust is clogged like you said in your first post. That is the problem with me not having the car with me to see what is going on but fortunately the video helps. Please remove the exhaust manifold for inspection, this guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 29th, 2025 AT 8:25 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
So after leaving the car to idle for about an hour it started to work and run fine without messing with the exhaust and still without any code. However, I am noticing kind of louder tick on the side where the camshaft phasers are while idling, I don't hear it while driving. I don't know if you can make it out in the video. Do you think I should drain some oil and add some Lucas oil to try to quiet it down and is there anything you would recommend? I know these engines have issues. Thanks
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, February 1st, 2025 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,003 POSTS
The exhaust issue will come and go FYI, yep try some Lucas and see what happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 AT 8:43 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Stall At Idle Content

Engine Stalls After Dead or New Battery
GUIDE
Engine Stalls After Dead or New Battery
So you in­stalled a new bat­tery and now the en­gine stalls? You have done noth­ing wrong be­cause be­lieve it or not this is nor­mal. The en­gine com­puter has a learn­ing cy­cle...
VIEW MORE