massive loss of power..

[philoldsmobile]

got an odd problem with my 96 mustang 3.8

the car has about 50,000 miles, and no mechanical issues, the head gaskets have been done about 8 months ago and all is good there..

the car starts ok, and idles fine, as soon as you move off, there is no power at all, and the car can barely pull itself along.

at full throttle the car runs fine, but anywhere in between its completely gutless. its not misfiring, but does feel like its bogging really badly

coolant temp sensor is ok, o2 sensors are ok, the HT leads are new, air filter is new, cats are not blocked and there are no codes.

any idea? it feels exactly like a set of old HT leads in the rain, if you know what i mean, but isn't because they are new.

 

[philoldsmobile]

bump?

need to get this sorted guys - its got someone coming to look at it in 2 weeks, and needs to be running right if its got a chance of selling...

 

[stang dreamer]

hey phil, if its EFI try the coilpack? just a random guess

 

[98V6 K.I.T.T.]

Well....if the cars idle is fine (not bouncing around the RPM's), doesn't sound like there is something wrong with tuning. I would however maybe check your fuel system, your throttle linkage and throttle body. Maybe put it in neutral and bring up the revs, if there isn't any hesitation and everything mechanical is moving right when you hit the gas, then you may want to consider the drivetrain. If your engine is turning and reving right then is must be something in the drivetrain. Clutch/flywheel if manual, torque converter if auto....transmission, driveshaft then your rear end gears and axles. Hope this helps out some. Hopefully it's not big.

 

[philoldsmobile]

there is definatley no transmision slip, and everything seems fine at idle.. i did wonder about the fuel pressure, but surely wouldn't that get worse as revs / throttle increase? high RPM and WOT are pretty much fine. Full throttle is being achived at the throttle body...

is it possible the evap canister solenoid would have anything to do with it?

 

[98V6 K.I.T.T.]

The thing about it is that at WOT it's running fine. Maybe explain alittle bit more of what happens. Does the car not move until you floor it, how big of a loss of power is it? Is your car a manual or automatic? It just seems to me, from what I know it's something with the fuel system or the drivetrain. I just feel that if it had anything to do with the air induction, or the ignition systems that you would be able to see revs bouncing around and or notice the tune being off alot.

Just to consider, but could the exhaust be clogged? Maybe the cats? I'm not a master mechanic but I know usually what could be wrong. Maybe you should try to make a video, I find this is usually the most helpful so we people can see and hear the problem. Also...try www.3.8mustang.com there are some real good people over there. Unfortunately Stangnet's V6 forum has been dead and wont find the help you need. Feel free though to PM with any questions. I will do what I can.

 

[philoldsmobile]

its definatley not drivetrain, the trans shifts correctly, and is smooth.

its idling ok, but just simply has no power, i really am not sure how to explain it, it pulls away ok, but feels like your using a tiny ammount of throttle when you are almost on the floor.

a couple of people said it feels like there is no ignition advance..

is it possible the MAF is fooling it into thinking there is much more air flowing than there really is? fuel economy is terrible, and the tail pipe is a bit sooty..

exhaust and cats are fine, thats been checked

 

[98V6 K.I.T.T.]

its definatley not drivetrain, the trans shifts correctly, and is smooth.

its idling ok, but just simply has no power, i really am not sure how to explain it, it pulls away ok, but feels like your using a tiny ammount of throttle when you are almost on the floor.

a couple of people said it feels like there is no ignition advance..

is it possible the MAF is fooling it into thinking there is much more air flowing than there really is? fuel economy is terrible, and the tail pipe is a bit sooty..

exhaust and cats are fine, thats been checked

You can check your MAF and clean it out, which couldn't hurt...but if we can rule out everything that has been said, then maybe the ignition could be the reason. It's just very odd. Have you done a compression check on the cylinders? Atleast we tend to be narrowing down possibilities.