My 3VZE has about 140k miles on it. For the last week, when I drive it, I notice a lack in power. I'll be driving down the highway and I'll have it floored, it will have no power and then all of the sudden everything will kick in an it will have full power for a few seconds and then back again. It usually won't jump to full power until after 3k rpms. I replaced the fuel filter, my oil and antifreeze are clean. It also has trouble idleing. I've listened around the engine compartment and there is a noise similar to valve rattle but it's coming from the oil pan area. (I'm pretty sure she is dying) I'm going to do a compression test tomorrow. Any ideas or things that it could be? Anyone experienced anything similar? Any help is greatly appreciated.


Jason

 

Sound like it might be a cloged injector?!?

How is your oil presure?

Matthew :alien:

 

Are you using Manual or Automatic transmission? If you have an automatic transmission then we might have a similar problem. You need to have your transmission overhauled.

 

I have a manual transmission, so I know it's not that. I'm going to try and do a compression test tomorrow when I get out of class.

What's the best way to deal with a clogged injector? Can I do it myself or do I need to take them somewhere and have it dealt with?

My oil pressure indicator is reading the same as when I bought the vehicle 6 months ago. I don't really trust indicators though. Could poor oil circulation (ie bad oil pump) cause something like this?

Thanks for the replies!

Jason

 

Hey Yank,

I have or had the same problem. Turned out to be the #1 shift solenoid. Expensive but not as bad as a new trans.

 

Possibly a clogged catalytic converter????

 

If it is running rough in park or neutral, I don't really think the trans is part of the problem. If it was the trans the engine would be surging/rpm's rising but vehicle speed staying the same or slowing. By "full power" I don't know if you mean vehicle speed or engine speed. If it is simply not shifting, well than that could be the solenoid or trans slipping. Because it is intermittent, I am thinking cat, fuel pump, loose sensor wire/ignition wire. I think (someone else please chime in here) that if the wire to the knock sensor or the sensor itself is bad, the vehicles computer severely retards the ignition timing.

A Small exhaust leak in the pan/manifold/cross-over area can sound like a valve tick--I don't know about a rattle though.

To check the cat-remove it and see if it stops doing it.

Good luck and let us know what happens