engine has no power

bpgreer · 10:19 PM

OK, my only purpose on this board may be to make others feel better about their cars (for now). Hopefully someday, I will be able to be on the giving side of the advice.

Once again I have a problem. (suprise, suprise)

I took my car out for the first time today, but the engine had almost no power. Trying to go up hill, made the engine slow then die. rpms go up when I use the accelerator, but there little to no power once it's under load. I am about at the end of my witts. I wonder if it might be the same problem that was keeping it from running on all 4 cylinders the other day. I have checked, double checked, triple checked wiring, and it all seems to be fine (from the looks of it) Has anyone had a similar problem? By the way...I had to use a little carb cleaner to get her idling today. Thanks.

Brian

mattr_914 · 09-23-2004, 08:20 PM

Carbs or FI? Did you do a compression test? Are you getting spark? Are your airfilters clean? Are the carbs/injectors getting fuel?

bpgreer · 09-23-2004, 08:25 PM

d-jet, spark yes, filters clean, haven't checked compression.

SGB · SGB's Garage

hey Brian-
recapping from yer other thread....
Cars been parked a week or 10 days, ran Ok till then.
FI, shoots fuel OK
Sperk is there but at least two cylinders fire poorly

have you replaced dizzy cap?
Are plug wires fully seated on both ends?

I'm thinking it's electrical....

bpgreer · 09-23-2004, 08:39 PM

wires are fully seated, and the plugs are sparking (took out and checked) Have cap on order, but I don't see that causing lack of power like this.

mattr_914 · 09-23-2004, 09:22 PM

How many miles on the engine since its last rebuild?

bpgreer · 09-23-2004, 10:18 PM

It only has 62000 original miles. I bought it from the original owner. The more I look into it, the more I tend to think I have a fi problem. Maybe pressure sensor or throttle switch? Maybe the injectors just aren't pulsing well. I know they work, but maybe not well enough to produce power. I just don't really want to start replacing expensive parts unnecesarrily.

mattr_914 · 09-23-2004, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bpgreer
I just don't really want to start replacing expensive parts unnecesarrily.

But thats what 914 owning is all about

.

I'll let some other FI guys jump in here. Im lost on FI.

Scooter311 · 09-24-2004, 06:26 AM

Hey BP
I think someone before (Matt?) mentioned a compression test? That would tell you quite a bit, and remove some internal engine problems from the equation - maybe make you feel a bit better. It's super easy to do as well.
Fuel filter clean? Timing OK? What does it sound like when its running - any popping, backfiring, sputtering, drooling / smoking / sooty exhaust? Does it shake or hesitate when you rap the loud pedal or snap the throttle from the engine compartment?
Mine had a clogged fuel filter and it had similar symptoms. I wish I could help diagnose FI, but I have carbs, so these are simple things I do when I have trouble - maybe they'll help you a bit too?
Good luck
Jeff

PS - any pics of your car?

bpgreer · 09-24-2004, 10:01 AM

I Think I should buy a pressure gauge and see if I'm getting fuel pressure. Maybe it's a bad regulator. Also, I intend to check compression, but because of low miles I have not done so yet. I'm a novice, so I am buying equipment as I go. Sounds like a trip to sears is in my future this afternoon.

BTW, I need to buy a new digital camera before I can upload any pics. If I can find an hour or two away from work, school, and more dangerously the car, I will get one soon. With all of these annoying posts, the least I could do is give you guys a visual.

helowrench · 09-24-2004, 11:31 AM

The most likely culprit would be the fuel filter. When you have the fuel filter off run the hose into a clean catch can and energize the pump for like 30 sec or so . This is for two purposes. #1 Visually check the fuel for contaminants such as water, dirt, rust, etc. #2 You also want to measure this amount of fuel to check your pump's output against spec.
I do not have your specs but I'm sure someone can chime in with the info.
This will either show the problem or show that the fuel delivery up to the filter is OK.
Hope this helps.
Rob

John Rogers · 09-24-2004, 12:47 PM

In your other post you said you pulled the injectors to make sure they are firing okay. Did you use a new large and small seal on each one? If not that is probably the cause of the loss of power.

bpgreer · 09-24-2004, 01:59 PM

I installed all new seals in the injectors when I first bought the car along with all new fuel hose. I'm going to try to find a gauge and test my fuel pressure later today.

helowrench · 09-24-2004, 02:32 PM

The reason I bring up the fuel delivery is that it can flow enough for no-load operation, but not enough for the engine under load.
That would explain the symptoms you are describing.
Rob

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Yup. Kinking a fuel line can give you enough fuel to idle all day, but the car will not run worth crap under any real load. BTDT--I kinked a supply line up under the fuel tank.

--DD

ws91420 · 09-24-2004, 07:26 PM

Also if the fuel tank has enough sediment in it the flow into the filter can be slow and cause the pump to lose prime. Do you have the relocated pump to the front? if so this could be the problem. make sure the filter is full and check it when it starts sputtering.

bpgreer · 09-24-2004, 07:52 PM

I just replaced the old fuel filter last week (with one fm PP of course) and I drained/inspected the gas tank before putting in new fuel 91 octane. I just bought a fuel pressure gauge about an hour ago, and will try to see if thats the problem. If so, do you think the pressure regulator could be mis adjusted? Of course like I said, the injectors are pulsing fuel, but maybe not enough. I read parts of Brad's page, and understood some of it. Right now I'm not too impressed with the fi system, but what can I expect?

bpgreer · 09-24-2004, 10:07 PM

Here are some pics of my "project"

bpgreer · 09-24-2004, 10:24 PM

It looks like I have a negligable amount of fuel pressure. I'm going to double check myself tommorow, but maybe it is the fuel pump. I can hear it engage, but maybe it isn't working right. I believe the system is supposed to run at 34 psi or so. Is that right? I know fuel is flowing well from the tank, because 1/2 of it flowed on me while I was replacing the filter and all the lines down there. Oh well. I think I might be in the market for a pump. If so, does anyone know of a good place to aquire one. PP has theirs listed at nearly $400. I hope I can find something for less. Are they rebuildable? Thanks.

Brian

John Rogers · 09-24-2004, 11:40 PM

There is also a fuel pressure regulator that could be passing all the gas back to the tank?