6 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHNew Problem: Sputtering on Start-up
Reported or suspected cause
same
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause · Original poster
Temperature has varied from 40 degrees to 70 degrees in the garage and the problem is the same.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
Over the last 2 months my 2003 C4S has developed a problem whereby on startup it will initially run smoothly for about 10-15 seconds, then it will start lowering in rpm and stuttering, almost dying, but not quite, then it will rev up and either smooth out the idle and warm up or it will go through the process one more time before smoothing out.
Leading evidence: 'same' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'same' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Run smoothly' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
Over the last 2 months my 2003 C4S has developed a problem whereby on startup it will initially run smoothly for about 10-15 seconds, then it will start lowering in rpm and stuttering, almost dying, but not quite, then it will rev up and either smooth out the idle and warm up or it will go through the process one more time before smoothing out.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Run smoothly
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
Over the last 2 months my 2003 C4S has developed a problem whereby on startup it will initially run smoothly for about 10-15 seconds, then it will start lowering in rpm and stuttering, almost dying, but not quite, then it will rev up and either smooth out the idle and warm up or it will go through the process one more time before smoothing out.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
6 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
I cringe every time I start the car so I need to get this resolved.
Over the last 2 months my 2003 C4S has developed a problem whereby on startup it will initially run smoothly for about 10-15 seconds, then it will start lowering in rpm and stuttering, almost dying, but not quite, then it will rev up and either smooth out the idle and warm up or it will go through the process one more time before smoothing out.
I've been through a few tanks of gas from various stations so I don't think it is a "bad gas" problem.
Temperature has varied from 40 degrees to 70 degrees in the garage and the problem is the same.
It's under warranty, so I can take it in, but it only happens on a cold start-up so I may have to leave it there for awhile after driving it to the dealership. I'm NOT getting any CE lights or anything like that and otherwise the car runs and drives normally.
Any idea what might be causing this?
I probably would take it in. In the mean time I get some sputtering whenthe car is cold and it rained. I would check you air cleaner and wipe off any moisture in the box that may cause it. Also I take a look at the MAF if there is any oil or moisture on it.
I had a similar problem with my c4s. On a cold start up, I would put it in reverse to get out of the garage and the engine would chug like it was not getting enough gas. My c2 does not have this problem and is smooth on start up. I sold the c4s before the dealer could fix it. They gave me a song & dance about how they could not replicate the problem.
The problem seems to have gone away temporarily (for about 2 weeks, came back one day, and hasn't done it for the last 3-4 days) so at this point I'm waiting until it does it again regularly then taking it in, otherwise I'll get that song and dance about not being able to replicate yada yada yada...
I hear ya...I'm preparing myself now to start this venture. It concerns me because damn my engine bucks like hell when it's almost ready to die and I can longer stand the banging I get when the engine is on the verge of stall. I have also encountered a very slight coolant leak that I suspect is resulting from possible stress on a hose/clamp from the engine buuncing around in there....just speculation.
I cringe every time I start the car so I need to get this resolved. I ran one tank of gas out thinking I got damp gas..but it is still happening.
Thanks for the response...
Michael
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