Q: What could be wrong with my truck?

asked by on February 12, 2017

After i put it in drive and push on the gas it seems to sputter in gear for a minute while taking off the steadies out, was told it could be either a vacuum leak or a gasket, what could it be?
My car has an automatic transmission.

When you have a vehicle that is 27 years old it can be most anything causing the vehicle to hesitate. Depending on the engine you have you may have a sensor issue that is not working correct or a fuel related problem. I recommend having a mechanic like one from YourMechanic do a through check and diagnosis for the problems you are having.

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

What tire size should I use and what pressure should I run in the tires?
Your car may have one of three different tire sizes, depending on the actual trim level and engine size. It’s important that you continue to use the OEM-specified tire size when your original tires wear out. It’s also important that...
Maintenance schedule for VW Jetta SE
Most vehicles have two maintenance schedules to choose from which are normal, and heavy duty. The reason for the heavy duty schedule is for drivers who do a lot of stop-and-go driving, excessive idling (police), driving in dusty conditions, or...
How long does a muffler last? How many miles it take to replace a muffler? Is theirs any difference between each muffler? (2 muffler)
There is a good chance it is the 'flex' pipe section leaking. The life of the exhaust depends on mileage, driving conditions, and where you live. Snow and icy climates rip through exhaust systems with rust and road salt. The...
2004 Toyota Camry starts and dies. No lights. Replaced battery and alternator.
If you have a fully charged battery and still have no power, then you have a bad power or ground cable and connections. Check the ground connections to the battery, body, and engine. Check the positive connections at the starter,...
I was told I need a new water pump. Coolant leak into my left headlight. Car never overheated.
Hi, thanks for writing in. Water pumps will wear out eventually (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-water-pump). Replacing them is very important to the lifespan of your vehicle (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-long-does-a-water-pump-auxiliary-last). Temperature gauges in vehicles are largely misunderstood. They will only give you accurate readings if they...
Changed bypass hose now engine overheats
Hello there, a few common faults will result in your 2003 Hyundai overheating after the bypass hose was replaced. The most common would be air trapped in the coolant system. This is common after repairs have been performed if the...
Car won't start I can hear it trying to crank. I've just replaced the alternator and battery it just won't turn over...
This suggests that the motor have run out of oil. When the oil pressure gauge reads zero, this means that there is not enough oil pressure inside the motor to properly lubricate engine components properly. When this happens, you may...
Can I have my jump starter plugged in to an outlet as if i was charging, then connect it to a batter and turn it on? Will that cha
If the vehicle battery happens to be more than 5 years (60 months) old, don't bother fooling with it. Buy a new battery and be sure the new battery is fully charged by the store before you install it, otherwise...
When I turn the switch to use a turn signal, a buzzing sound starts and it may blink once every 8-10 seconds
Odds are you have a faulty signal/hazard flasher relay. Although the relay is an electrical component, the internals are basically mechanical. The relay does just what the name implies. It relays power and the signal from the signal switch to...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford Focus Electric
In In 2012, the Ford Focus Electric model went a step farther than other eco-friendly cars. Instead of creating another hybrid model, Ford chose to offer a fully electric vehicle with a very impressive range of 76 city miles and...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Love Camping
Do Do you love camping, getting back to nature and enjoying life in the great outdoors? If you do, then you know that getting there can be half the fun, and it’s even better if you have a great ride....
How to Get Ford Dealership Certified
Ford car dealerships offer automotive technician jobs to mechanics who are certified through either the ASSET or the FACT program.