The engines spluttered and missed a couple of times.

With a half inch of throttle, the engine spluttered to life again.

The engine coughed and spluttered, the propeller kicked to a stop.

The engine roared in neutral for a few seconds, then spluttered and died.

The engine spluttered, then suddenly caught and ran smoothly again.

The engine spluttered spasmodically a few times, then burst into a roar.

The engine caught, spluttered, and roared as Tom choked the car delicately.

Eight miles later, when they were coasting down a long hill, the engine spluttered.

Throttling back, he lowered the landing gear just as his engine spluttered and died.

She turned the key and for a moment the engine spluttered and died.