So frustrating! Help diagnose me.
 

Sup forum,

Alright I've been up all night looking for a solution to this "sputtering" or "marbles in a can" sound when underload between 3k-5k. I've seen a lot of posts regarding this issue, but mostly everybody is pointing in the ignition direction.

I have an 05 6 speed, now plugs and wires were replaced today, and coils within about 4 months. It just rolled over 50k miles. Now there are two other suggestions many have recommended here on the forums to people with the similar problem, and that is seafoam and cleaning the MAF.

Let me break down exactly what this problem is, bare with me here. Car starts just fine, and idle is fine. The problem usually starts when I'm taking a little trip somewhere, roughly a 30 mile trip or so, and it's hot out. Here where I'm located the main roads between cities are straight highway driving, and this is usually when I encounter the issue.

After driving for a bit and slowing to stop signs or stop lights (although I'd prefer to cruise right on through them because of the issue), the cars performance severely drops. It struggles to stay alive, without my assistance of keeping the RPMS higher with the help of the gas pedal. After I start to accelerate and put it underload, it makes the sputtering/marbles-in-a-can sound right around 4k rpms.

I've heard a lot of different things, and I know writing my issues over ther Internet probably won't pinpoint the issue, but I thought I'd give it a shot. The main issues I imagine it is : SSV, MAF, Fuel pump, and seafoam. Any input is appreciated. Thanks and cheers :beer05:

It does this without a CEL?

Probably unrelated, but have you cleaned the ESS and MAF sensor?
It wouldn't hurt to eliminate that possibility, and it should be done periodically anyway.

So frustrating! Help diagnose me.
 

Have you checked inside your cat converter for damage or blockage? Can you test your coils and plugs to ensure they're fine? It's not uncommon for them to go bad quickly. Also, it's recommended to change all of them at the same time (plugs/wires/coils).

Cat was gutted, never threw the code prior to that.

Haven't done that yet, I'll have to get in there and do that. You think the maintenance of a pesky sensor could be the issue?

Well I gut the cat a while back, I guess I'll have to give the ignition system a test. I now undertand the replacing all of them at once, I'll have to do that next time.

I would look at the fuel pump first.......a common symptom is when you drive for a while it gets warm and stops working

is it pretty common for the fuel pump to crap out? or am I just one of those lucky guys? also, do you suppose my write up is symptoms close to what a bad fuel pump would be?

OP,

The sound you hear and the conditions under which it happens are consistent with detonation. :sadwavey: Try finding a gas station that sells 100 octane gas, and put 4 - 5 gallons in the tank, see if it reduces the problem. If it does, then you know you have detonation, now it becomes a question of finding the cause.

Cleaning the MAF and ESS and resetting ESS profile is a good idea. This is relatively easy and quick to do, so why not? I don't think it will solve your issue, but it might help a little bit.

The below is based on my knowledge from trying to fix a detonation issue on my own car:
Some common causes of detonation are lean mixture, high temperatures and carbon buildup. (Also too much ignition advance, but I assume you are running stock tune?) Lean mixture could be caused by a failing fuel pump (at high temperatures) or clogged fuel injectors, vacuum leak, incorrect MAF readings...

Heat soak exacerbates the problem, but probably is not the only cause unless you are overheating. Carbon just builds up over time, but you might have extra if you have a leaky fuel injector. Seafoam/de-carb treatment, if done correctly, may get some of the carbon out, but it can foul the spark plugs and may cause a decrease in compression. In my experience, it only helped for 1st and 2nd gear acceleration.

Thanks for the input. In all honestly I thought maybe my plugs were shot, and changing them would be a complete 180, it sorta sounds like the fuel wasn't being ingnited completely. Is seafoam really, possibly, that harmful?

So frustrating! Help diagnose me.
 

Do you have any modifications to your engine? Whats the condition of your air filter?
Search for threads pertaining to fuel pump/ failure. Try troubleshooting from there.

definitely clean the ESS, and reset the ECU, it does make a difference. takes about 15 minutes tops.

it is worth checking for spark on all 4 wires, its probably ok, but its good to cross it off the list

Update:
 

Finally got around to cleaning the MAF and ESS. Took it around the block and after getting up to a hot temperature vehicle started acting up again. Got to my driveway, turned on the A/C to see if it would shut off. After a bit of idling with A/C on it finally shut off.

Did you do the 20 brake pedal stomp?

Sure did. How long does it take for the ESS to readjust after the reset?

I think it takes a few cycles for it to relearn. If you drove it a few times already and it hasn't changed, then it's probably something else.
You might have to do a methodical troubleshooting process to pinpoint it.:(

I feel like a complete dips***. Completely overlooked your comment regarding the air filter. I think i may have just fixed the problem today, there was slight oil build up in the airbox. The engine was giving me problems after a drive home from a radiator flush. Walking around pepboys and stumbled upon the air filters and it occurred to me that I haven't had it replaced for a while. As soon as I got home dropped the new filter in and took it for a spin. The car feels so much more responsive, even after resting for just 10 minutes. Any speculation on the problem I had (which only seemed to occur when the engine was hot) because of the air filter, I understand it was practically suffocating, by why only when it was hot?