I have a 94 Mercury Topaz that recently was exhibiting that symptom, but it didn't start until after a mechanic replaced my fuel pump. Apparently he installed a universal pump and may have damaged it upon installation. I put up with that for about 6 months until the car also started dying on hot days. A new mechanic installed a better quality pump, and now my car runs fine.
it could be alot of things from clogged fuel injectors to being out of gas
Have you changed the air filter too?
it will spit and sputter or miss or just not have no power at all very sluggish
I have a 2003 mercury grand marquis will sputter around running 35 - 60 mph ?
It sounds as if the fuel filter is clogged and not getting enough fuel to the injectors.
have you ever changed the fuel filter ?
Look for a hole in the PCV valve hose on the backside of the engine.
The injectors may need cleaned. There may also be a problem with the carburetor not ejecting enough gas to the engine.
Could be your injectors are in need of cleaning. Good Luck and Remember.Change Your Mind, Not Your Oil.Use the First In Synthetic Motor Oil's.See My Bio For more information.
A 1990 Cutlass Ciera might hesitate and sputter when the gas pedal is depressed because of water in the fuel or because of damaged or dirty fuel injectors. You might also have an issue with the wiring or the distributor.
This is by design, as the engine is not under load. the engine computer shuts off the fuel injectors, there is no hysteresis so the injectors turn back on quickly once below 4000rpm, and the cycle repeats. This also happens when the speedometer maxes out, in my case, 180kM/h, the fuel injectors shut off.
Try the rotor(under the cap). mine was burn't, talk about shake rattle and roll I've had 3 Nissan pu's greg also, check your vacume lines. Even one can cause sputter. There is a wire coming out of the bottom of your distribitur. if it gets frayed, it can have the same result. Check your fuel flow. dirty carb or fuel injectors will cause it to sputter and or die when put in gear.