Just like the title says the car starts drives and idles like brand new

The problem is has been acting suddenly like it has a 4 banger under the hood.
I didn't even know there was a problem until I drove it for an extended period of time and jumped on it as I was pulling into a lane and the car basically just lost any additional power after 3k rpm. Where the engine would normally just be getting into the power band, this thing crawls through the revs and it doesn't build steam smoothly. It acts like a car pulling timing in a big way or something.


I threw some injector cleaner in there and changed the air filter. I just had exhaust work done replacing the muffler section (car was fine afterwards, this came up a couple weeks later) but I'm wondering if the cats are getting clogged that would suck.

No codes being pulled and like I said the car still idles and drives like nomal if you don't need more than about 100hp out of it

 

def. could be clogged cats...they usually manifest themselves being a problem in the higher RPM ranges...

 

I also vote for clogged cats. Same thing my car was doing, and I spent WAY too much money replacing stuff that didn't need to be. It ended up being a clogged front pre-cat. If you get a chance, use a vacuum gauge and test the manifold vacuum pressure starting at cold and see what it reads after it's warmed up. If the pressure has increased by more than .5 in/hg then you have a clog.

-Nathan

 

x2, i have personally seen a 5.5 gen raise 2 in/hg during warm up. then scanned it and it showed 21% load at idle with a 6 speed in neutral. but it would cruise around town just fine under 2500 rpms and it was showing high 20s for mpg. clogged up cats

 

I've got a scanguage I'll have to see if it can read these values

 

if not, ill link you to a $30 laptop program that does

 

I could use that like if you still have it

 

this is the one i use:

 

Yes indeed, power just fell off when I had the 03 couldnt pass a Scion Tc on the freeway.....

 

How about dirty fuel filter?

this is actually a scary thought, the engine getting enough fuel to idle and drive but then goes more and more lean as the revs climb.

I am trying to think of anything else I should try before going at the cats. I think I'm just going to hollow out the cats. Do I need an o2 simulator if I do that?

 

Damn it. I just bought the Bluetooth one to use with that Torque android app. Now I want that one instead. Oh well, can't hurt to have multiple scanners I guess.

 

although i doubt this is it, it is very simple(and probably free) to check. go to your local parts store and borrow a fuel pressure gauge. check your pressure and report back.

do the non fouler trick for like $6 after you gut the cats




i believe that bluetooth setup has a higher refresh rate than the elmscan so its better for real time readings/datalogging. although i LOVE the scanner program, its not the fastest. Also, with elmscan its hard to scan while driving bc the obd port location. i keep knocking the connection loose with my shin while driving... but maybe that has something to do with being 6'8?

 

do a full tune up, if its not the cats, then check the fuel filter, do an oil change make sure the oil filter is on and there is no leaks, make sure you have oil, make sure there isn't a loose hose somewhere. Just do a full 100k tune up you can just call the dealership and ask whats included in the 100k tune up and i'm sure one of those things is the problem, like oil or water pump, thermostat, draining the radiator just a simple tune up could fix, if not, then you might have lost compression in a cylinder or something or have a spark plug that doesnt fire or something. check 02 MAF and any other sensors, tranny fluid, alternator, any belts, hoses, gaskets, or if theres some water in your intake or exhaust manifolds or some other substances. your tires might be flat, its all I can think of a off top...

 

Some scary advice right there
Yikes...