Power loss

[LA_phantom_240]

Okay, I can't think of any obvious reasons why I'm losing power and hesitating past 3800rpms. My s14 is painfully slow right now, and I can't figure out why. It only started happening in the last two weeks or so. My friend's '04 cavalier is beating my s14..stock. Sad, I know. The hesitation seems worse under WOT. I'm thinking maybe my cat is getting clogged, or maybe my tps is going out. It feels like it isn't getting enough fuel (yes, I replaced the filter lol).

[SnakeKack]

How's your injectors/fuel pump/ spark plugs/ cap rotor/ wires/ air filter? How does your throttle body look? Any gunk or black stuff? Ever try Seafoam? Any vac leaks? You could try unbolting the cat and seeing what it looks like.

I'm sure there is more stuff that I missed I'm sure more people will chime in. Oh and if you use injector/fuel system cleaner, use the Lucas fuel treatment. It doesn't corrode like all the other stuff that is water based. (as far as I know)

[LA_phantom_240]

Plugs and such are fairly new, and I cleaned my K&N about 2 months ago. I've seafoamed the motor before (which is how I found I have an exhaust leak lol). No vacuum leaks.

I know it may be a long shot, but could it be possible that my head could be warped, and leaking compression under high rpms, which would possibly shed some light on my oil leak situation?

[ryguy]

It wouldnt be a vacuum leak, vacuum leaks are evident at idle and not at higher rpms. Did you run the codes by any chance? It couldnt hurt to do a compression test, that will help to rule out the warped head.

[LA_phantom_240]

Originally Posted by ryguy

It wouldnt be a vacuum leak, vacuum leaks are evident at idle and not at higher rpms. Did you run the codes by any chance? It couldnt hurt to do a compression test, that will help to rule out the warped head.

My compression tester is kinda dead... my buddy kinda got it stuck in his last KA's head... and it got ruined by rain. He owes me. I need to run my codes. I've had a CEL since I bought the car in September, but being OBD 1, the scanner we used at AutoZone (while I worked there) read the wrong code. It told me it was an EGR error. But it is a very strange light. If I turn the key to the on position for a couple seconds then turn it off, the light turns off too and doesnt come back for about a week lol. Its rainy today, so no code checking.

[osal]

let me know if you fixed ur problem...i m havin the same one

[seto_s14]

i had the same exact problems as you did. car would bog at around 3-4k rpm at normal operating temperature but ran well when it was cold. tried tons of stuff: fuel filter, fuel pump, coolant temperature sensor, cap and rotor, plugs. in the end, just sprayed maf with intake cleaner and now it runs like a champ.

[osal]

yea but mine is doin it whether cold or hot...i m think my clutch is goin out..because it does it through all gears

[SoguRacing]

i would lean toward your maf being the problem. and if not that, then check the timing

[LA_phantom_240]

Originally Posted by SoguRacing

i would lean toward your maf being the problem. and if not that, then check the timing

Hmm.... I'll clean the MAF, adjust my ignition timing, spray seafoam on my throttle body butterfly, and change my plugs. I think I may have gotten contaminated gasoline.

[SoguRacing]

if you got contaminated gasoline. lets say its water, not sure, but if it is, take some 100percent isopropyl alcohol and put it in the gas tank..depending one how much water may be in the tank..this will help the water to evaporate. 1 maybe 2 bottles depending on how full your tank is. 1 bottle per half tank. or..just drain the gas tank and get some 91 octane and put a bottle of 100percent isopropyl alcohol in there. dont use 80percent cuz the other 20percent is water. good luck lmk what happens

[LA_phantom_240]

Originally Posted by SoguRacing

if you got contaminated gasoline. lets say its water, not sure, but if it is, take some 100percent isopropyl alcohol and put it in the gas tank..depending one how much water may be in the tank..this will help the water to evaporate. 1 maybe 2 bottles depending on how full your tank is. 1 bottle per half tank. or..just drain the gas tank and get some 91 octane and put a bottle of 100percent isopropyl alcohol in there. dont use 80percent cuz the other 20percent is water. good luck lmk what happens

No. 'twas diesel. A small amount, very small... but still contaminated. I'm also going to have a look at the fuel pump. Maybe under a load at higher rpm's it can't supply enough fuel pressure. It does have 160k on the pump as far as I know.

Long story short, I ran the car out of fuel, got a gas can from work (we have separate cans for gas and diesel), got some gas in the car, and a couple days later she started hesitating at higher rpm's.