major power loss issue - Maintenance and Repair Forum

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major power loss issue
Friday, April 17, 2009 9:42 PM
Whenever I set my cavy in motion and when it is in motion it will sputter violently and then run normal for a random amount of time (usually seconds), then it will suddenly lose all power even with full throttle and roll to a stop while still idling. It has been very progressively getting worse within the last week. It only does this on a warm engine. I have no idea what this could be because there are only problems when I drive. I can sit in neutral and rev it up and everything is completely normal. Any ideas what this could be?




Re: major power loss issue
Saturday, April 18, 2009 4:38 AM
Hi,

Some basic information would help.

What year
What model
What engine
What transmission
Any modifications of note we should know about? (turbos, etc)

Dave
Re: major power loss issue
Saturday, April 18, 2009 5:37 AM

Fuel filter!!!!!
Re: major power loss issue
Saturday, April 18, 2009 8:18 AM
it's a 2000 z24 so it is the 2.4. There is no forced induction. It is a stick.



Re: major power loss issue
Saturday, April 18, 2009 9:43 AM
fuel filter or maybe cat i remember on my 89 Z that when the cat died it didn't matter how far the gas petal was put down it kept slowing down until the engine died. No pipe from cat back and car was good as new. how longs it been since the fuel filter has been change and the mileage on the cat?


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Re: major power loss issue
Saturday, April 18, 2009 5:24 PM
The fuel filter is bran spanking new. my problem has however worsened. It will sputter and die even at an idle very randomly. Today I took it for another test drive and all power was lost with the pedal all the way down but it still was idling. Then it did a huge backfire and died. After that the worst smelling propane like smell flooded the interior and has continued everytime I start the car. I have never smelled a smell like this coming from a car. Now it starts harder as well.



Re: major power loss issue
Saturday, April 18, 2009 5:28 PM
replace your cat.



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Re: major power loss issue
Saturday, April 18, 2009 8:30 PM
try replacing sensors. the one in the header and the one in the cat. i would replace the cat as well.





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Re: major power loss issue
Saturday, April 18, 2009 9:19 PM
Anton Miller wrote:try replacing sensors. the one in the header and the one in the cat. i would replace the cat as well.


why the sensors? sufuric smell, lack of power, stalling, the three main signs of a bad cat. although mileage does play a factor in an 02 sensor's lifespan, usually unless the MIL is triggered, they're still fine.



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Re: major power loss issue
Sunday, April 19, 2009 6:05 AM
sulphur/propane smell, loss of power at speed = catalytic converter
Re: major power loss issue
Sunday, April 19, 2009 6:19 AM
Hi,

FYI....... The reason people say replace the cat is because often when they go bad they plug up and restrict the passing of the exhaust gases. When running at low rpms there is enough free space to allow the car to run. At high RPM's over an extended run the gases are being produced at such a high volume that they cannot pass through and the back pressure builds up. This back pressure prevents the exhaust gases being pushed out of the combustion chamber for it hasn't anywhere to go. This pressure prevents the engine from spinning freely thus the car slows down and dies.
You can do this manually by simply holding your hand hard over the tailpipe and you will hear the engine bog down at idle if you can stand the heat long enough and apply enough pressure to seal in the gases.

Re: major power loss issue
Sunday, April 19, 2009 8:20 AM
I am having a very similar issues with a 97 Sunfire with a 2.2 and an auto trans.

Cranks and fires right up but it idles horrible and sputters bad when pulling off from lights, if you dont rev it a little when going into reverse it will die completely. This car had a brand new exhaust system last winter from the manifold back and I replaced the fuel filter this past summer.

The cluster lights look like a cristmas tree, ABS, BRAKE, CHECK ENGINE, SECURITY and THEFT lights all lit up. Even the radio cuts on and off when you take your foot off the gas pedal while cruising down the road- anybody heard of any issues like this before?


Re: major power loss issue
Sunday, April 19, 2009 9:36 AM
thanks guys




Re: major power loss issue
Monday, April 20, 2009 3:34 PM
well, I finally threw a code and it's for a crankshaft position sensor. I am in the process of fixing that and then we will see what happens.



Re: major power loss issue
Monday, April 20, 2009 8:37 PM
As far as I know, it only uses the crank signal to start the car - correct me if Im wrong on this guys


Re: major power loss issue
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 12:56 PM
I thought the crankshaft sensor is used to monitor operation also, but I could be wrong.
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