My car is having a hard time accelerating

[Mirad]

My 1995 Eagle Talon ESI is completely stock and is a manual. It has 146,000 miles.

Also, thanks goes out to those that helped me with my alternator belt installation and adjustment!

I was driving around town doing errands and my car was fine. I stopped at McDonalds to meet up with a friend and we talked for 2 hours. I got in my car and drove away. I drove 2 miles up the road. I then started to notice that when I stepped on my accelerator, my car would have a hard time accelerating regardless what gear I was on. I quickly pulled into a gas station 3 minutes away and parked the car.

I checked my tires and they're fine. I popped the hood, checked my alternator and power steering belts. They're fine too.

I pulled the hand brake up, put the car in neutral, and turned on the car. I noticed that my car sounded different. Instead of a constant stream of gas coming out of the exhaust, it was sputtering like it was choking. When I revved my car, I noticed that it would knock hard a few times between 1000-2000 rpm. 2000-3000 rpm and above its fine.

I put my car in reverse and drove backwards a bit. As I stepped on the accelerator, the car it would slowly reverse but as if it was lacking the power to do so.

When I put my car in 1st gear and drove forward, it would knock hard a few times and it would slowly try to accelerate to move the car forward.

I called a tow truck and we got hauled home.

What could the problem be?

Would anyone have a checklist or provide one to me on what I should check and cross off the list?

Thank you in advance!

 

[ChiTownHussla]

Check codes and tune up

 

[jayson427]

how do you drive the car honestly and how long have you had it. it sounds like you have a rod knock if you say its a loud knock. alot of people try to drift these cars around corners and they arnt made for it. the oil pump starvs when taking hard turns and usually that results in a spun bearing. can you post a video of this? that would help alot.

 

[91tsi_awd]

how do you drive the car honestly and how long have you had it. it sounds like you have a rod knock if you say its a loud knock. alot of people try to drift these cars around corners and they arnt made for it. the oil pump starvs when taking hard turns and usually that results in a spun bearing. can you post a video of this? that would help alot.

Rly ppl are trying to drift fwd cars now? The generations continue to amaze me...

Back on topic, Sounds like it could be a clogged injector or filter.

 

[DSM1G90]

Plugged up CAT and/or plugged fuel filter. Chrysler's CATs are known to plug up over 140K miles.

 

[Wildside22]

Also check the TPS and its wires.

 

[Mirad]

I forgot to mention that my Talon is a non-turbo.

Check codes and tune up

Will do! I need to buy a OBDII/OBD2 scanner correct?

Forgive me if I forget something, but for a tune-up:

Check and clean or replace if needed:

- Spark plugs

- Spark plug wires

- Distributor cap

- Air Filter

- Oil change (It's due for one soon.)

- Top off all fluids.

how do you drive the car honestly and how long have you had it. it sounds like you have a rod knock if you say its a loud knock. alot of people try to drift these cars around corners and they arnt made for it. the oil pump starvs when taking hard turns and usually that results in a spun bearing. can you post a video of this? that would help alot.

I drive it normally from point A to point B following the speed limit.

No drifting/power sliding/launching.

I've had my Talon for 7-8 yrs.

I'll definitely try and get a video up.

Rly ppl are trying to drift fwd cars now? The generations continue to amaze me...

Back on topic, Sounds like it could be a clogged injector or filter.

I'll be sure to check those after I install new spark plugs. I'll check the filter first before the injectors.

Plugged up CAT and/or plugged fuel filter. Chrysler's CATs are known to plug up over 140K miles.

What is CAT? I'm guessing Catalytic Converter? If there is a page with DSM terminology please point me too it so that I can learn the terms. Thanks in advance.

Also check the TPS and its wires.

That would be the Throttle Position Sensor correct? I'll add it to the check list.

Thank you all for your input! I'll go over the checklist and report back my findings.

As much as I want to fix her up for show and go. I'm more focused on having her run properly first.

 

[DSM1G90]

Page to help you out for starters. Yes, the CAT is the converter. to check it out, drill a small 1/16" hole where the exhaust pipe goes into the converter. If acceleration suddenly picks up, the CAT is plugged good.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-420a-specific

Also, with 146K miles on the clock, your ECU (the "Brain") could be having some fits that won't throw a "CEL" (Check Engine Light)

 

[jayson427]

2GNT.com -

you dont need an obd2 check the link and read how to do so through the dash.

 

[whitewidow50]

i have the same problem with my 97 eclipse gs wen i got it they saiid the cat was pluged never drove it with out cat and my acceleration is slow and its preety loud

 

[mhuffman]

Rly ppl are trying to drift fwd cars now? The generations continue to amaze me...

Back on topic, Sounds like it could be a clogged injector or filter.

FWD can oversteer and powerslide in the dirt pretty easily with some left foot braking. On asphalt, i'm not too sure!

 

[ForsakenLash]

dont forget to replace the fuel filter in that tune up

 

[cyhm]

to keep it simple, could possibly be bad gas or water in the gas. replace the fuel filter and try some injector cleaner. i question how well the stuff works, but worth a shot. i don't recommend trying to clean the injectors off the car. the human eye will never be able to see if an injector is clogged or stuck open. if you have a decent dvom, u can look up how to test some sensors, but dont go throwing parts at it blindly. dsms get very expensive very quickly when you do that . any shop should be able to diagnose any bad sensor with a scantool/oscilloscope for you, even if you dont want them to be the ones to fix it. if the cat is clogged you could just run it down the street with an open header quickly and ud know instantly. clogged cats also frequently smell and get REALLY hot and the housing may visibly warp. i dont see why a clogged cat would cause any sounds aside from it bogging though.

 

[Carberry_98GST]

Hey guys I got a 98 eclipse gst with a 16g turbo not tuned "yet" when I first put it on my car it was running good but now once my car gets to about 3,000 rpms it bogs down and don't want to accelerate. I put new spark plugs in it, fuel filter, and injector cleaners to see if that would fix the problem but it didn't. I've been told it could be my atmospheric bov or my cat clogged? Do you guys agree or do you guys think it could be something else? I'm getting a tune for it but I need to get it running like it was before I get the tune if possible. I need a lot of help on this

 

[Spanky_DSM]

Cat Converter

My car feels power less, no boost leaks but with an exception of a pre exhaust leak.

Barley pulls 2-3 psi with good amount of pedal.

Im going to check mine a bit later when the sun cools off.

Dont want a Texas tan

Good luck

 

[Mirad]

While I was away on vacation my dad took a look and found out the ignition coil went kaput. Replaced it and my car ran like a champ again! Thx for all the suggestions!