car's running slow.

[92eclipse_gs]

Ok, so I drive a 92 N/T Eclipse. I understand that these cars arent fast, and that is not my intention to say they are. But today i got in my car and got on the accelerator and felt nothing, even at high rpms. I mean, its going, but it used to have a little more pep than that. I have no idea why its not picking up at all. Also there is a loud sound the comes from my airbox when i open my throttle. If anyone has any clue what it could be, feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

-Nick

 

[WMD]

There are many things, which could contribute to a slow car. You could use the search function but since you don't know where to look first ill help you.
Try to answer these questions:
1. Are you using excessive amounts of oil?
2. Are you loosing coolant?
3. Do you have oil in the coolant reservoir?
4. Are your spark plugs gapped correctly?
5. Are your spark plugs broken?
6. Do you have burn through spots on your plug wires?
7. When you take off the oil fill cap when it is running, is there puffing air coming out of the hole?
8. How old is your air filter? Is it very dirty?
9. Did you recently have the timing belt replaced?
10. Is there any kind of smoke coming out of the tail pipe?
11. Is there any fluid in the clutch reservoir?
12. How many miles are on your clutch? Does it feel like it is slipping?
13. Has the fuel filter ever been replaced?

Chances are if one of these questions seems fishy, then you have most likely found your problem. You can the search for the solution or if you cant find it, tell us where the problem is.
Is very hard to know what to tell you when you say slow, since many of us have been there and found many solutions for the problem of "slow"
Good luck!
BTW for future reference, most people on here will tell you one thing regarding questions like this, "SEARCH"

 

[92eclipse_gs]

Yeah, i know. I guess I was looking for a problem more similar to mine. I didnt really think of those possibilities. But hey, I'm new to this whole thing, and I gotta learn somehow, thanks for the help.

 

[S_Ranger]

Keep us updated.

 

[WMD]

A lot of those questions will help you diagnose bad rings, valve guides, lack of fuel, lack of compression, lack of air, bad timing, lack of spark. All can cause significant loss of power.

Oh, and the sound in your air box is most likely the sound the TB makes when it sucks in air. It sounds like a whistle or something sucking through a big tube.
BTW i just didnt want you to get yelled at by the mods in the furture.

 

[92eclipse_gs]

Heres the answers to those 13 questions.

1. Are you using excessive amounts of oil? No. I did an oil change about 300 miles ago and im not losing any oil.
2. Are you loosing coolant? No my coolant reservoir has been at full since i filled it up about a month ago
3. Do you have oil in the coolant reservoir? No
4. Are your spark plugs gapped correctly? Yes
5. Are your spark plugs broken? No, but i want to replace them. Does anyone have a price range for new plugs and wires?
6. Do you have burn through spots on your plug wires? No
7. When you take off the oil fill cap when it is running, is there puffing air coming out of the hole? No.
8. How old is your air filter? Is it very dirty? I plan to replace it tomorrow with a K&N Air filter
9. Did you recently have the timing belt replaced? No i have not, and ive heard about the dangers of that. Would that be a big concern with my car?
10. Is there any kind of smoke coming out of the tail pipe? Yes, but not more than usual
11. Is there any fluid in the clutch reservoir? Yes
12. How many miles are on your clutch? Does it feel like it is slipping? Maybe around 3,000. And it doesnt seem to be slipping at all.
13. Has the fuel filter ever been replaced? Not that I know of. Could this also be a problem?


So im still not sure why my car is acting like this. If its not one thing, its another. I just replaced my alternator, starter, front and rear pads and rotors. All within a month and its starting to hurt my pockets a little. So if anyone else has any other suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. I'm stumped.

 

[92eclipse_gs]

Oh, and the sound in your air box is most likely the sound the TB makes when it sucks in air. It sounds like a whistle or something sucking through a big tube.
BTW i just didnt want you to get yelled at by the mods in the furture.

The sound is really throaty. I dont know how to explain it. I'm pretty sure that its the throttle body sucking in air, it just sounds different than usual.

thanks for lookin out man.

 

[WMD]

A clogged fule filter could/would cause problem with fule delivery. Especially if it has high mileage. Try using fuel injector cleaner too.
BTW what color is the smoke and when does it smoke?
oh and the DSM is known to eat money I know
EDIT: just though of something else, vacume leaks, check for thoes too around the intake manifold.
oh and this could be moved to the problem diagnosis forum.
EDIT #2 : your cat could be clogged and could be causing a significant restriction in the exhaust. one problem, so many solutions

 

[92eclipse_gs]

A clogged fule filter could/would cause problem with fule delivery.
Especially if it has high mileage. Try using fuel injector cleaner too.

I'm going to look into the fuel filter. Howeve, I do use fuel injector cleaner about every 3 tanks of gas. And i used it this tank too.

BTW what color is the somke and when does it smoke?

The smoke is gray and it does it pretty much the whole time the car is on. But its also cold out and it doesnt seem excessive.

EDIT: just though of something else, vacume leaks, check for thoes too around the intake manifold..

How should i go about checking for those vaccum leaks. That may seem like a stupid question, but i wouldnt be sure how to go about that.

EDIT #2 : your cat could be clogged and could be causing a significant restriction in the exhaust. one problem, so many solutions

My flex pipe is pretty tore up and i think i have an exhaust leak around my cat. But its been like that since i had the car and i wouldnt see why all of a sudden i lose power. I was planning on getting headers and a test pipe this paycheck, but that got pissed away to a new alternator, starter, and brakes haha.

So i think im gonna look into the fuel filter, air filter and those vaccum leaks, and i guess see what happens. It is really annoying though i feel like im driving a chevette. haha

 

[WMD]

look for cracked plastic lines, cracked rubber, or loose connections. Obviously if everything is in place and you feel sucking outside the manifold on a line or connection something is wrong. You might as well check for a stuck PCV while your at it.

Well in the cat there is a ceramic thing with hundreds of holes. If to many of them get clogged with carbon then you will loose power. But if the flex pipe it totaly torn to pieces then most of the gas should be bypassing the cat and this would most likely not be your problem.

If your car smokes all of the time it most likely means bad rings or a bad headgasket. But judging by your responces it dosent seem like you have a problem with the headgasket. Under normal conditions, even if its cold outside, the smoke should go away after a few minutes ( i do live in wisconsin ) because its just water vapor. But if the rings where really bad you would feel air puffing out the oil cap, but you don't.

Well for now im out of ideas, but keep hunting and you will eventually find the problem.

 

[92eclipse_gs]

Yeah its definetly not my head gasket. I just think im burning a little oil. I appreciate all the help. I'll give you an update if i find anything else out.

-Nick

 

[S_Ranger]

I hope you spread some rep points for the ppl above.

 

[92eclipse_gs]

Haha, i just figured out how to give rep points. I was always wondering that, since theres so many people that have helped me out.