# Random sputter and misfire

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-sputter-and-misfire/152480>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [November 10, 2019, 2:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-sputter-and-misfire/152480 "2019-11-10T02:28:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kyle\_Cedotal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@Kyle\_Cedotal](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Kyle_Cedotal)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 2:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-sputter-and-misfire/152480/1 "2019-11-10T02:28:21Z")

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I have a 2003 dodge Dakota rt 5.9l that I changed the head gasket on about 3 months ago an now it losses power and backfires then runs fine. Itll keep doing it off and on the whole time while drive. What could be the cause if changed spark plugs they keep turning white an oil is black as soon as I do an oil change.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-sputter-and-misfire/152480/2 "2019-11-10T02:31:24Z")

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That could be a fuel pressure problem, among other things. Have you done compression and fuel trim tests? If not, that’s what I’d be doing first w/this problem. There’s no check engine light, right?

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**Author:** ![Kyle\_Cedotal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@Kyle\_Cedotal](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Kyle_Cedotal)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 2:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-sputter-and-misfire/152480/3 "2019-11-10T02:57:58Z")

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Just for the downstream o2 sensor sense I have no cats but the upstream ones r good

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-sputter-and-misfire/152480/4 "2019-11-10T16:12:48Z")

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> [@Kyle\_Cedotal](#):
>
> I have no cats

Then you should have a check engine light on . . . unless you’re a sneaky devil and used an “oxygen sensor simulator”

> [@Kyle\_Cedotal](#):
>
> the upstream ones r good

Why are you so sure the upstream oxygen sensors are functioning correctly . . . ?