1973 1.7 original FI no power

[60cj5]

My first (or second?) attempt.
My 73 914 1.7 has a significant issue. Has developed periods of very little power. Used to be occasionally but has become almost permanent. Runs smooth always after the first few second at startup. The power is so low that it cannot be driven above second gear.
I have checked all that I can..plugs, ignition wires, pertronix, all? connections and moved relays around. Rotor is tight..cannot be moved to jump out of the slot on the shaft.
Original FI is supposed to be the better choice vs carbs..can't prove it by me.
Any one had the same issue and solved it?
Thanks, Stan

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Any idea how the mixture is doing when it is in "low power" mode? Rich or lean? If you can't get ahold of a wide-band O2 meter, you can try reading the plugs old-school. Black means too rich, whitish means too lean, brown is fine.

How's the compression? Valve adjustment? Is the ignition consistent? Fuel pressure OK? All hoses and wires in good shape and plugged into the right places? E-brakes released properly?

Lots of potential causes for low power; the FI is only one of them.

--DD

[racer]

Fuel supply? Clogged filter or sock limiting fuel flow? Not sure where you live, but are ethanol fuels all that are available to you? Does the car sit a lot between uses? Did you do any work to the car before you notice the performance issues?