do I need spark plugs?

Question

I have a 94 toyota corolla, I was driving to work yesterday and just out of nowhere the car started spuddering, I dont know if that's the right word to use but the only one that comes to mind. I was keeping a constant 60 and then it started stopping kinda like if I was tapping on the brakes. I get really paranoid so I thought the car was dying and took my foot off the gas. I let it slow down a bit then hit the gas again to see if it was going to continue. It drove fine till I got to work. I was talking to someone about it and they told me I need to change my spark plugs because of a piston. It sounded confusing but he said the same happened to him that's how he knew. Sorry if I couldn't explain better, im not good with cars. The check engine light didnt come on, had half a tank of gas. Today drove just fine just being precautious now and need to know if I need to change them right away

Answer 1

Something is wrong, and you do have to fix it. The problem comes and goes, and you have to wait until it comes again in order to troubleshoot and fix it.



It could be a lot of things:



1. Plugs

2. Plug wires

3. Distributor cap

4. Points

5. Fuel pump

6. Fuel filter (one in the gas tank and one between the tank and the carburetor)

7. Carburetor (a lot of possibilities, including a stuck float).



Another way to fix it is to do preventive maintenance. Replace things that are apt to go out on a 20 year old car (virtually everything on the list above). But that is expensive, but also will prevent surprise breakdowns. If you get lucky and fix the problems, you might pay for the parts by not paying for a mechanic to troubleshoot it.



I pride myself on finding the correct problem, rather than replacing things until the problem disappears, but with an intermittent problem, you might not have a choice.

Answer 2

When was your car last serviced (I think Americans call it a 'tune-up')? If it was over a year ago it needs to be serviced again, as part of the normal maintenance of your vehicle.

That would eliminate any problems with spark plugs, filters, oil and so on. Once that's done, if the problem remains it'll be a lot easier to diagnose.

Answer 3

Yea spark plugs are kinda very important and should be changed with your cars year if never done before not much to worry about but a couple misfires but still change them could lead to somethin worse if not taken out

Answer 4

It's not the spark plugs!!! If it was it would not fix it's self..... It sounds like a fuel problem, what type of fuel do you use ? Most electrical problems will remain constant. A fuel problem such as water or a dirty fuel filter could be the issue. Good luck !!!

Answer 5

Spark plugs are part of a engine tuneup, they could be the problem but it could be a number of other things ie. fuel pump , air filter, best to take to a garage and have a mechanic look at it

Answer 6

thats better

Answer 7

real sorry, need points!