intermitent low power

[eeugross2]

Can anybody give any ideas on this one?

94 atx w/ 120k miles
needs 60 k -oil in plug wells

About 3 wks ago it started running rough-then low power-not electrical
Just couldn't accelerate. Seemed to be running hot-though not by gauge.

At one point it did open up...then went back to low power.

Parked it...got back in a day or two later and it ran fine for another 21/2 weeks.

Now it did it again for 2 trips. 2nd trip was to my mechanic. When he ran it, it was fine. No codes. Checked backpressure in cats and seemed OK.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[ohfosho]

plan out your 60k maintenance (front and top), and just a tune up. could be oxygen sensors (although you said no codes from the ECU?), more likely the oil in the spark plug wells, making for a weaker spark.

 

[I'll sho u]

Try cleaning the mass air

 

[dpsutphin]

Don't rule out a partially clogged fuel filter. Just one piece of trash in the wrong spot can restrict the fuel flow enough to cause what you describe.

 

[clintonk]

I experienced a similar intermittent power loss a few years back. Turned out to be a failing fuel injector. The normal codes didn't reveal anything, but the cylinder balance test showed the cylinder was completely dead.

Clinton Knight
Apex, NC

 

[SolidState]

it is the oil in your plug wells. You probably feel the lack of power mostly between 2500 and 4000 rpm.

Get that 60k done, and the car will feel alot more smooth and powerful...

 

[eeugross2]

Yeah-after checking last nite it's a wonder it runs at all the way the oil covers the plugs. It's been on my list of things to do for at least 6 months. Moving chaged my to do list priorities.

It does seems strange though that it is intermitent. At one point it just kicked in and took off. That makes me think it's something like the fuel filter...fuel injector maybe too. Thanks for the hints.

 

[CoolDenver]

I had a very similar problem. I had diagnostics run on it and it turned out tobe the DIS Module, (Iginition control) 2 of the 4 cylinders were not firing intermittently.