Poor Performance, sometimes...

[chuckstsi]

So I've had this issue for years. Never put a finger on it yet...

Sometimes the car will pull real strong. Other times barely at all. Never found a correlation to any particular condition. Hot, cold, summer, winter nothing.

Nothing seems different between one moment or the next...

The only real thing I've noticed is that sometimes it pulls harder with partial throttle than matting the pedal.

Thoughts???

 

[Chumpaumpalumpa]

Boost leak for sure. Also, is your BOV in good condition? Is it adjusted properly? Does it Flutter? Check how much slop is in throttle cable and make sure the TB is opening fully. Clean your MAF, TB, and air filter. replace fuel filter if it is old. Are spark plugs gapped correctly? Are they old? Any exhaust leaks? Once these things are complete, you should be good. I had this same issue and so did my friend. Try running with headlights popped up just ever so slightly if you are 1ga. I'd make some sort of cold air delivery system if I were you, preferably a ram type with an airbox. Sounds like you are sucking in hot air sometimes as well.

 

[97 eclenger]

I second the boost leak being he issue. get or make a boost leak tester. could start at the turbo and work up to the intake or the other way around. test the bov to. if its old then the diaphragm will dry rot and get cracks or if you have an rfl then it was never sealed to begin with

 

[chuckstsi]

Thanks going to check the system for any leaks.

 

[lasershark]

Check out the condition of your knock sensor too. I had a similar problem did a log and noticed the knock sensor was going haywire. Pulled the sensor and sure enough... black goop.

 

[tindall2006]

I second the knock sensor... Maybe a MAF too.

I do not see a boost leak being intermediate like this. If you are having a boost leak to the point of losing power, it is not going to close up at random or open up at random. Granted, if a boost leak test has not been done I would do one.

 

[Dsmkauai]

No check engine light? Could be fuel related somthing clogged or a dieing/clogged injector.

 

[Chumpaumpalumpa]

I second the knock sensor... Maybe a MAF too.

I do not see a boost leak being intermediate like this. If you are having a boost leak to the point of losing power, it is not going to close up at random or open up at random. Granted, if a boost leak test has not been done I would do one.

Mine made the car inconsistent, it can vary case to case. The fittings can shrink and expand just enough in the right places to cause it to be worse sometimes than others.

 

[chuckstsi]

I was skeptical of the boost leak as well. I didn't quite understand why a leak would come and go.

No CEL.

Replaced the plugs and wires. also replaced most of the vacuum tubing.