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Troubleshooting Engine Performance Problems Part 8

• There is a strong gas smell coming from the exhaust:
  You notice the smell of raw gas from the exhaust. You think you have a gas leak. Not only do you notice the smell, so does everyone around your car. You may or may not have noticed a drop in your gas mileage.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. There may be a fault in the computerized engine control system: Check engine control systems with a scan tool. Test circuits and repair or replace components as required. (Generally not a DIY job)

  2. There may be some type of ignition problem: Check and replace distributor cap, rotor, ignition wires and spark plugs.

  3. The fuel injectors may be dirty: Clean or replace injectors.

  4. The engine may have mechanical problems: Check compression to determine engine condition.

  5. If you have a carburetor, the carburetor choke may be stuck closed: Repair or replace choke.

  6. You have a vacuum leak: Repair or replace vacuum lines.

  ~~~~~~~~~~

• Engine doesn't want to increase its speed:
  When you step on the gas, the engine seems to slow down and sometimes it stalls. You have to press down on the gas pedal very slowly to increase the speed of the engine. Even with that, the car doesn't seem to move like it should, and there is a general lack of power. You may or may not notice the problem when the engine is hot or cold.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. You may have a dirty air filter: Replace the air filter.

  2. The fuel filter may be clogged: Replace fuel filter.

  3. The ignition timing may be set wrong: Adjust ignition timing.

  4. You may have water in the gasoline: Drain the gas tank and flushed with fresh gas and refill. (Generally not a DIY job)

  5. Your catalytic converter may be clogged: Replace catalytic converter.

  6. The fuel pump may be shot: Replace fuel pump.

  ~~~~~~~~~~

• Engine doesn't have its normal amount of power:
  When you step on the gas, the engine doesn't seem to have the power or pick up it did before. It feels like the get up and go got up and went. It seems to run okay and there are no unusual noises or vibrations, but the engine just isn't performing well. The problem seems to be getting worse and worse as time goes by time, although you did not notice when it first started.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. You may have a dirty air filter: Replace the air filter.

  2. There may be some type of ignition problem: Check and replace distributor cap, rotor, ignition wires and spark plugs.

  3. The spark plugs may be dirty or worn: Clean and regap spark plugs. Replace spark plugs.

  4. The ignition wires may be bad: Replace ignition wires.

  5. The fuel filter may be clogged: Replace fuel filter.

  6. The engine may have mechanical problems: Check compression to determine engine condition.

  7. Your catalytic converter may be clogged: Replace catalytic converter.

  8. The exhaust system may be clogged: Replace exhaust system.

  ~~~~~~~~~~

• The engine will not idle smoothly, or it stalls during idle when the engine is cold:
  When the engine is cold and you take your foot off the gas pedal, the engine runs very rough and may even stall. When you run the engine at higher speeds, it seems to run fine.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. If you have a carburetor, you may have a bad accelerator pump or power circuit: Replace accelerator pump or replace carburetor.

  2. There may be a vacuum leak: Check and replace vacuum lines as required.

  3. There may be some type of ignition problem: Check and replace distributor cap, rotor, ignition wires and spark plugs.

  4. The ignition timing may be set wrong: Adjust ignition timing.

  5. There may be a fault in the computerized engine control system: Check engine control systems with a scan tool. Test circuits and repair or replace components as required. (Generally not a DIY job)

  6. The EGR valve may be bad: Replace EGR valve.

  7. The engine may have mechanical problems: Check compression to determine engine condition.

  8. Idle speed set incorrectly: Set idle speed to specs.

  9. The fuel injectors may be dirty: Clean or replace fuel injectors.

  More... » Part 1       » Part 2       » Part 3       » Part 4 » Part 5       » Part 6       » Part 7       » Part 8 » Part 9       » Part 10

  Additional Information provided courtesy of
  ALLDATAdiy.com and Warranty Direct
  © 2000-2007 Vincent T. Ciulla

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