Bogging - lack of power - up hills only

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Arc Angel

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Hello again SHO Guru's,
Here's one that's got me totally stumped. I've got TWO 94 SHO ATX's with the same problem. Going up any significant hill at highway speeds, and each car is bogging down, to the point where it feels like there is a speed limiter on each car.
I took the intakes off each car. Cleaned each intake totally. Cleaned each MAF with MAF cleaner. Cleaned out the EGR passageways. New gaskets, new vacuum lines, new EGR valves, new IAB valve. New plugs, new wires. Cleaned the throttle body. Everything is back together, properly, and in each car - no codes. This problem first started with one car, then, just two days later, migrated to the other.
From WOT on flat ground - each car runs perfectly. Full power, auto trani shifts crisp in each gear. Start cruising on a highway, and hit a hill...each car now acts as if it were bogging, with no more power available to accelerate up the hill. Speed on each car will drop from say 65-70 MPH, down to as low as 45 MPH while climbing the remainder of the hill (like there was a speed control on it like say a U-Haul truck has). Once this glitch hits, stepping on the throttle only boggs the engine, further, but, no more available power. Get to the top of the hill, and each car will then scream down the hill with full power, again. ??? This glitch just started with each car, in turn. It also started prior to my work on each car (did the work in an attempt to correct the problem.)
I am totally stumped. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Frank
 

Arc Angel

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Trani is downshifting...I had the CAT's off, and they are fine - not plugged. O2 sensors in each car are new. The only thing left I can even remotely think of is the Throttle position sensor...???
Frank
 

Arc Angel

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It's not kicking out any codes (either car). The O2 sensors are new. Cats are good. Exhaust is nearly new. Just bought a new TPS - still have the same bogging problem. I'm not kidding...it acts as if there was a speed limiter/restrictor on it, but, only when I'm going up a hill at highway speed.
It also just kicks in suddenly. Start climbing a grade (hill) at around 55 to 65, and then "whomp" - it just boggs. For the remainder of the hill, I can step on the throttle pedal, with not really any effect, other than more bogging down. As I get to the top of the hill, and level out...it takes right off again. Downhill the same, with no appearant problem.
What's left to check, other than the DIS, the coil pack...? New, or recently replaced items - fuel pump and strainer, fuel fitlers, plugs, wires, TPS, IAB's, EGR valves, O2 sensors, all new vacuum lines, no vacuum leaks (checked for them), Cleaned MAF's, and two totally cleaned intakes and throttle bodys - and no codes now coming up.
I've also now dumped two bottles of Lucas Fuel System treatment in - no effect on stopping the bogging. Always running Castrol GTX 10W30, and also Lucas Oil Stabilizer in each car with standard Motorcraft 400 filter.
I am totally stumped...and boy does it suck trying to climb/limp uphill on a highway and get passed by grandma and grandpa in a mini-van...
 
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SeanMc

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A friend of mine's Saab is doing the same thing. Turns out, he has a dead cylinder. Check codes, and then do a cylinder balance test. If you have a compression checker, check the compression of the cylinders.
 

Arc Angel

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cylinder balance test is okay. I'll check the compression in each, later today. Thanks.
 

AREA 91

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Sounds EGR realted to me. Does it run O.K. when the engine is cold, and then starts to give you problems when it warms up?
 

Arc Angel

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Yes...it was a 9 on the cylinder balance code check. The EGR valve is new, and the interior passages of the intake have been totally cleaned out (clogged shut from before). It starts perfectly, idles fine. Going up hills at low speeds is no problem...only at highway speeds after warmed up does this happen. It is as sudden as someone throwing a switch, too. Get about part way up a highway hill (at anything around 65 MPH or over) and "whooomp" - it instantly boggs. Then, no matter if you let your foot off the gas (throttle), or step on it more (throttle), it is just bogging, and no more available power. The transmission (ATX) will downshift and all, but, no more power. Get to the top of the hill, and level out...and the cars are again as strong as ever.
I am stumped.

Frank
 
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Arc Angel

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MAF's in both cars thoroughly cleaned with proper MAF cleaning fluid. Fuel pressure SHOULD be good, as both cars have new fuel pumps, new strainers, and new fuel filters - although - I'll check it out this evening.
 

Tim Nicholson

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I am not an expert, but it sounds like the computer is retarding the engine, some cars have a limp home mode if the computer is seeing something like overheating or other critical event. Hope that helps
 

SHOZ123

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Maybe a fuel pickup problem?

I drove around with a fuel pressure gauge tie wrapped to the windshield wiper for awhile. I had the problem of stalling when the tank was low. Changed the pump and same thing.

Turned out to be the back end was jacked up a bit in the rear and the fuel tank was not level. This caused fuel pickup problems when the tank was under an 1/8 tank.
 

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