Challenge for ya'll. For the past few weeks as I start to accelerate my car seems to start losing power. It was doing it as i was driving a steady 60MPH today also. We thought it could be the transmission, but it is feeling a little like my old Camaro when its Mass Air Flow sensor failed. There's no service light on yet. What do you guys think? Its a 2002 3.8L engine with a butt load of miles.

 

Probably a slim chance, is the oil pressure ok?

My first car had issues after the oil pan gasket blew, I slowly got a loss of power at higher speeds, and just got worse and worse. Then one morning I started it up, it gave a bit of struggle that day and going home I got a horrific rod knock. Once it got to temperature pressure dropped to nothing.

I seriously doubt that is your problem, but you never know..

 

I should look into that. The pressure looks good but there is an oil leak I and I do need to change it.

 

How bout everyones favorite....A bad catalytic converter? Just a guess and I have no first hand experience either.....

 

How long since your last tune up? What about the fuel filter? Fuel pump/Regulator pressure? Another possibility could be the fuel. The chemical composition of ethanol attracts water and becomes more apparent during the colder months. Using an additive (like Sta-Bil or Heet) will aid in purging water from your fuel system but will not improve performance. The next time you fill up try a different station. If the car runs 'normal' then avoid the prior station during the Winter.

 

Its been about two years since its last major tune-up. Ive been running around a lot and end up going to a lot of different stations. I'll try the additive, it couldn't hurt. The fuel filter may be an issue. The car did live in a dusty, dirty place. Also don't say catalytic converter, I don't want to deal with changing that right now I'll have to get back to you guys.

 

Whens the last time you chnaged the air filter? Have you done an oil change recently? (might explain the ticking!) These engines do require a relatively normal maintenance schedule..(since you said it lived in a dust laidened environment). I would consider cleaning the TPS as well as the MAF for good measure! This could be multiple issues causeing this running issue! Maintenece , Maintenance, Maintenance!!!

 

+1. Sounds exactly like a cat

 

meow.

 

Well it's off to the shop. I didn't want to take it in around Phoenix. Don't have a place here I trust yet.