Hello all,I am posting this for a friend of mine. He owns a 2003 fleetwood pace arrow 37A. Chevy workhorse 8.1 L. He recently noticed a sputtering noise from the exhaust tailpipe at idle. No noises from engine compartment. Engine starts right up every time with no issue. Any ideas what could be the cause of the exhaust sputter?Thanks all.

Could be condensation in exhaust.Start engine and run for at least an one half hour to rid exhaust of moisture.Does sputter go away? If so it was moisture.If sputter persists then do tune up. Plugs for sure but Rotor cap, rotor and wires if it has been over 2 years for these parts.Have timing checked.My guess is the warm engine will cure the problem

Thanks, will tell him to run it for a bit and see if that helps. I want to make sure nothing is major with it cause I am considering buying it from him.

How many miles?Has he ever had the exhaust manifolds worked on?Do the Actia dash gauges work ok?....All characters on the digital display readable?How old are the tires?

Depends on the type of sputter. First thing I would do is make sure all the spark plug wires are pushed on all the way. The 8.1 was notorious for spark plug wires coming off. The problem was that because of the short length of wire, it was very easy to not install the wire all the way. As a result, they would come unplugged. Its not a persistent problem, once they are plugged in correctly, they do not fall off. Its just a matter of difficulty getting them plugged in all the way. If someone is just the least bit lazy, they will miss one or two. You need to make sure you feel the snap down into place, rather than just pushed on.

On 2003 Workhorse chassis there was a recall(60401-C) on the catalytic converters for coaches with the 8.1L engine. If the recall was not done, perhaps the original incorrect catalytic converters are starting to fail. Also moisture build up in the exhaust system can cause a sputter as it warms and starts to boil. If you see a little water coming out of the exhaust pipes, the vehicle needs to be driven for an hour or so to burn off all moisture.

Exhaust sputter | Good Sam Community

Daveinet
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
Depends on the type of sputter. First thing I would do is make sure all the spark plug wires are pushed on all the way. The 8.1 was notorious for spark plug wires coming off. The problem was that because of the short length of wire, it was very easy to not install the wire all the way. As a result, they would come unplugged. Its not a persistent problem, once they are plugged in correctly, they do not fall off. Its just a matter of difficulty getting them plugged in all the way. If someone is just the least bit lazy, they will miss one or two. You need to make sure you feel the snap down into place, rather than just pushed on.
ArchHoagland
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
How many miles?

Has he ever had the exhaust manifolds worked on?

Do the Actia dash gauges work ok?....All characters on the digital display readable?

How old are the tires?
mattdenryter
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Thanks, will tell him to run it for a bit and see if that helps. I want to make sure nothing is major with it cause I am considering buying it from him.
darsben
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2014
Could be condensation in exhaust.
Start engine and run for at least an one half hour to rid exhaust of moisture.
Does sputter go away? If so it was moisture.
If sputter persists then do tune up. Plugs for sure but Rotor cap, rotor and wires if it has been over 2 years for these parts.
Have timing checked.
My guess is the warm engine will cure the problem

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