Problem started randomly.. I've been getting bad fuel mileage for the past month or so..like 20-22ish instead of my normal close to 28. Well the other day I noticed the power wasn't there at all and has gotten progressively worse over the last couple days, takes a couple miles to hit 65 on the highway now.
I took it to my mechanic and he said it seemed like a clogged cat, the car struggles to accelerate and I have to let off the gas for it to shift and try and build torque to gain speed, I'm just tryin to figure out what you guys think it may be before I go droppin a bunch of money to get it fixed.
A clogged cat, you will normally have power when the vehicle is cold, and when it warms up you will not have power.
A clogged fuel filter, could cause sluggish accleration problems, if it hasnt been done in a long time replace it, along with checking the spark plugs and wires, check the plug gap make sure it is correct, make sure the intake tubing has no restrictions.
If that is okay it could a slight possibly be a transmission problem, does yours have a dipstick, if so check it, engine running, car warmed up, and in park
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Car is okay when its cold gets worse when warmer and heats up quickly, but doesn't overheat..kinda nice in the winter..haha
plugs and everything are fine pretty new gapped correctly...problem with the fuel filter is that the fuel line is rusted at the schrader(?) valve and I don't wanna break it by changing it if it's not the problem.. may try and fix the cat fisrt to see what happens.
OhForKavy wrote:Car is okay when its cold gets worse when warmer and heats up quickly, but doesn't overheat..kinda nice in the winter..haha
plugs and everything are fine pretty new gapped correctly...problem with the fuel filter is that the fuel line is rusted at the schrader(?) valve and I don't wanna break it by changing it if it's not the problem.. may try and fix the cat fisrt to see what happens.
Start getting it soaked in some PB Blaster. Filter should set you back under 15 dollars.
Your car may do 13 sec @ 103 mph, but my car does 146db @ 35 hz.
Just to update in case anyone else hits this problem and actually searches... it was the cat being clogged, replaced and had instant power, it must've been goin bad for a while, felt like a new car.
