[RESOLVED] Feels like something is holding my car back...

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Like the title says, when driving it feels like timing is being pulled even before getting into boost. It has an overall drag on the car like something is holding it back from moving. I have been getting crap gas mileage about 10mpg. My question is could this be the transmission crapping out? In neutral with clutch engaged I rev the engine and get a grinding noise from the transmission. I figure it is the input shaft bearing going out. But could that put such a drag on the car to get that kind of MPG? Push the clutch in and the grinding goes away. The tranny shifts fine and there are no grinding gears. I think the bearings are just going out. Also I have been logging the car everyday from home to work then work to home and everything looks to be normal. No knock, 18-20 degrees timing @15psi and a .88O2v. Now my fuel trims look to be on the lean side Low at 110% Mid at 120% and High at 115%. But if it is running lean wouldn't I be getting better MPG? Did a boost leak test and the TB shaft seals were leaking. I replaced those this morning. If anyone can confirm my thoughts on this I would appreciate the help. I don't want to drop a couple G's on a transmission if that won't fix the problem.

Thanks

~Kletke~

 

[phastalon]

Usually, crappy gas mileage and the "holding back" is due to running pig rich. Do you see any smoke coming from your tailpipe? Any unusual discoloration on your rear bumper?

The noise may be a throwout bearing, but I haven't heard of it affecting MPG.

Try leaning it out or setting the fuel back to stock settings, while setting boost back to stock as well.

 

[eclipsegst1990]

Check your base timing as a precaution. I've had this happen to me in the past and it was due to my base timing being set improperly by a mechanic causing a similar problem with the car being "held back." This made my EGTs very high which also caused some knock making the computer retard timing even more. Furthermore, a friend of mine melted his internals due to the same problem.

 

[DSMDirkah]

You might want to change out your fuel filter, sometimes regular maintainance will clear up a few things

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

- Fuel Filter has been changed about 1000 miles ago.
- I do regular maintainance (probably more-so than others here)
- Why am I sucking through the gas and fuel trims read lean?
- Timing is spot on 5deg.
- This problem didn't just come overnight... It has been getting worse and worse.

I'm gonna install a fuel pressure gauge just to find out what is going on there to rule out that problem. Then I'll start switching out injectors to see if I get any difference there. Already changed plugs. Changed out wires. I could pull the ECU and check that, but the last time I had it out it looked brand new! I'll try these things and keep you guys posted. If anyone else has any ideas... Please Help.

~Kletke~

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Ok... I pulled the ECU 10 mins ago and it looks totally perfect in every way. I even swapped it out with another DSMer. Friday I'll buy an autometer in cab fuel pressure guage to put in my pod. Been wanting one anyway now I really want to find out what the pressure is.

 

[phastalon]

That's a good idea. Let us know what it reads after you get it installed.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Here's the deal:

I figured by the time i got the gauge and everthing I could have just bought a walbro pump. So I did, I bought a Walbro 190 and installed it. Problem got better. now my fuel trims are back to being about 90% instead of 120%. So I borrowed my buddy's stock injectors and stock MAS. I put the Injectors in first. WOW! that was the problem, must have been a leaky/sticking one. Runs smooth as shit now. So just for fun I put his MAS in. Runs even better. So in conclusion I think I had multiple problems that all related to the symptoms I was experiencing. Hope someone in the future can use this thread for Info.

~kletke~