subieman Posted January 26, 2004 Share Posted January 26, 2004 Okay, I have been trying to track down this lack of power on my 84 hatch 140k for quite a while now, and I still haven’t figured it out. When I accelerate in any gear the motor won’t go above 3500 RPM. It's like it runs out of breath. I’m lucky if I can reach 50 mph on the freeway. I’ve changed the dis cap, plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter (not the one on the pump), coil... just about everything I can think of to fix this problem, but nothing has helped. Two heads are better then one... so please give me your ideas. I'm thinking fuel pump as my next culprit???? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted January 26, 2004 Share Posted January 26, 2004 Check that other fuel filter out. If that doesn't do it, I would take a look to see if the secondary barrel in the carb is opening as it should. You might not be getting both to open - the secondary is vacuum operated..... Check your throttle linkage, etc. Can you freespool the engine up past 3k? ie: not in gear? If you can, then it's not a fuel supply issue. After that - check compression in the cylinders - you might have a blown headgasket, or bad valve. Could cause the no power under load you describe. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meeky Moose Posted January 26, 2004 Share Posted January 26, 2004 also check to make sure the choke is opening fully.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subieman Posted February 1, 2004 Author Share Posted February 1, 2004 I just checked the compression, it's runnin 130 rear and 135 front. Sounds ok to me. Also I noticed that my cat sounds like a billion marbles are rattling around in it. Maybe this is my problem... plugged cat? Oh, and yes it will rev to redline in neutral. Thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted February 1, 2004 Share Posted February 1, 2004 I like the plugged cat theory put a vacuum gage on it and see if it falls while holding a steady 3000 RPM. and I do not know why you are not changing the rear fuel filter? It is the primary filter, it catches all the junk coming out of the tank - first line of defence first to get plugged I do like GD's sugg about the secondary barrel, see it it will open manualy, (you will have to hold the primary open to allow the secondary to be pushed open. see if the diapgragm that operates it is bad. Lastly the power valve in the carb could be stuck shut. I don't agree with the "if it revs at idle the fuel system is okay" - no load reving does not take much gas IMHO Lots of homework. Good luck atleast you have some other ideas now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLCraig Posted February 1, 2004 Share Posted February 1, 2004 If you don't have a vacuum gage, you could just loosen the y-pipe from the heads and go for a test-drive but don't forget some earplugs. If you do determine that it's a bad cat, I would just take the y-pipe off and shake it until debris stops coming out then use a metal rod to brake-up the rest of the cat and shake again. Something else you should check is the muffler since cat fragments can get stuck in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted February 1, 2004 Share Posted February 1, 2004 I am going to assume ( and I hope I speak for Craig also) that you have looked for massive vacuum leaks AND have verified the timing is close to 10 deg BTDC What did the plugs look like BTW (white black tan?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 That's a good point skip - it very well may still be a fuel issue even if it revs at idle. I'm thinking the "rattle" in your cat may be a loose heat sheild or rocks stuck in the heat sheild... have seen this before. Also, I have never experienced a "plugged" cat - I'm guessing that can be caused by excess oil burning perhaps? But otherwise, they last a LONG time - the one on my 84 DL has survived for 320k miles, and still passed DEQ...... GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardgabe Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 or the rattling could be a plugged cat. because they like to break free inside when there pluggged and i've had the cat. guts fall apart and plug my whole exhaust so i had to change the muffler baffles were plugged up and take and shake the rest of the exhaust to get the big peices out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty2Austin Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 what gas are you running? I used to use arco crap in my 83 wagon, and i couldnt exceed the 3500 mark either- then i switched to real gas (texaco, cheveron, 76, etc...) and it ran fine after that- the car just couldnt handle the water in the gas! just my thought... and an easy fix! (try octane boost or some high octane gas, like 110 or something! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagon78 Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 I just had a loss of power problem at high end in an 88 hatch and fixed it by replacing the fuel filters. On my 88 one is underneath at the fuel pump and the other is front left at the rear of the engine compartment. It idled fine, ran fine on level ground but started to puke going up hills when I floored it or if on level ground if I kept it floored and got >3500 rpm. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syphon Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 I dont mean to derail your thread, but I wanted some clarification on something that was said. You said "sounds like a bunch of marbles are rattling around, this points to a bad cat". Well, lately my EA82 has been making odd noises at idle. Whenever I'm in a fast food drive-thru (which causes the engine noise to echo around me) I can hear what sounds like a marbe rattling around. I thought it was a loose piece or something. It's very irregular, and only happens when I rev the engine slightly. I was going to check for a loose part somewhere, but is this usually indicitive of a bad cat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Yes - the cat *could* be plugged, but before checking for that, one should check the heat sheild to see if it's loose, or has rocks in it. That "marble" sound can be a lot of things - ping, exhaust leaks, rod knock, piston slap, lifter tick, etc - etc - etc. Each one sounds a bit different to the trained ear, but to the untrained ear they could all be described as "marbles" rolling around or "ticking" or any number of adjectives. The truth is that we are all simply guessing here, and while we may be correct, we are just as likely to be wrong. All the sugestions given are appropriate things to check, but as always "your mileage may vary" GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NV Zeno Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 My vote goes first with the rear filter. Without hearing the "marbles" sound, my second guess would be loose heat shields..mines' certainly got that issue, LOL. If you decide to seek "professional help" there's an excellent Sube shop in Sparks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subieman Posted February 2, 2004 Author Share Posted February 2, 2004 Wow thanks for all the great input!! I know it's the cat rattling. I used a hose, one end to my ear and the other I snooped around the engine compartment until it located the cat. Could be heat shields, but they look in great shape. Car has no rust what so ever. Looks like maybe a new exhaust system BUT before I do that I will replace the rear fuel filter! Any brand I should stay away from? I run premium gas from Sam's Club. Since I work there thats where I get gas. But it really does not matter what gas I get, it all tens to run the same. Thanks NV Zeno. Are you talking about Independent Auto?? I've driven by there a few times and talked to one of the mechanics once. Might be a good idea to see what they have to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NV Zeno Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 My heat shields "look" fine too, but still hum like mad at certain RPM. Yeah, Independent..right off McCarran and I-80. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subieman Posted February 8, 2004 Author Share Posted February 8, 2004 Well indeed it turned out to be the rear fuel filter. After I replaced it felt like a new car again, powering up the hill all the way to 60mph. woohoo Thanks for everyones help!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NV Zeno Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 Time to go 4wheelin'. I found a few places around Carson City, and some trails down in Douglas County. Whenever you're ready... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subieman Posted February 9, 2004 Author Share Posted February 9, 2004 As soon as I fix that CV I'm ready to go!!! Where in Carson? You must tell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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