Need Help, lost power
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Need Help, lost power
I recently got an oil change on Wednesday, when I left and was driving home I realized that the power was off, not the electrical but it ran sluggish. They did put 5w20 Synthetic oil but I know that was not the problem because they did that last time (10,000 miles ago) and it ran fine with no problems. My kick acceleration is gone and the engine doesnt sound the same, I dont know what to do. I took it back and they said it wasnt the oil change because that wouldnt cause it too slow down anyone have any ideas?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,360
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
I recently got an oil change on Wednesday, when I left and was driving home I realized that the power was off, not the electrical but it ran sluggish. They did put 5w20 Synthetic oil but I know that was not the problem because they did that last time (10,000 miles ago) and it ran fine with no problems. My kick acceleration is gone and the engine doesnt sound the same, I dont know what to do. I took it back and they said it wasnt the oil change because that wouldnt cause it too slow down anyone have any ideas?
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
The E brake was the first thing I checked. I talked to another mechanic here today and they say it is the oil. I dont understand why it would do this now and not when I changed it back in January.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Did you check the oil level? Did they put in 6.5 quarts or only 5.0? They didn't do any other type of servicing (fuel inj cleaner, coolant)? Get the car up on jackstands and have a look around to see if something is unplugged like a wheel speed sensor or other engine item that would cause you to be in LIMP HOME MODE....reduced engine power.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Yes Goody I checked the oil level and its good, they did put 6.5 quartz. When I went back today they did put fuel injection cleaner because thats all they could think could be wrong with it. Told me it was coinsidence that im on "limp node now" after they gave me an oil change. We looked underneath and everything seemed to be normal. I wonder if its the kind of oil they put in?
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Run FOREST, Run as fast as you can!
The weight of the oil has nothing to do with the loss of performance of your car! Why are you running 5W/20????????????????????????? Is it still winter in your area?
If your car was in "LIMP HOME MODE" better known in the OBDII world as "Reduced Engine Power Mode" you would see that as a message on the DIC when it happened and every few minutes as you drive the vehicle.
Pull the DTCs and post them.
Bill
The weight of the oil has nothing to do with the loss of performance of your car! Why are you running 5W/20????????????????????????? Is it still winter in your area?
If your car was in "LIMP HOME MODE" better known in the OBDII world as "Reduced Engine Power Mode" you would see that as a message on the DIC when it happened and every few minutes as you drive the vehicle.
Pull the DTCs and post them.
Bill
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Engine does not say reduced power and nothing shows up on the DIC. I could just feel it when I accelerate from a redlight and a 94 accord is keeping up with me at the same speed next to me. I went ahead and got my oil changed correctly at the Chevy dealership today. I do notice a slight improvement now but not sure if its back to 100%.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: The Chi
Im sorry, I can't just see this as being the oil.
It must be some kind of sensor thats changing the way the computer runs.
Hows you idle? Any knocking? Ticking?
Do you have an aftermarket intake? --oiled MAF
How many miles on the plugs/wires? This should just make it run rough, but not THAT much power loss.
Maybe bad / old fuel from a recent gas station? I've seen low fuel pressure / defective pump cause a similar problem.
The O2 sensors are at the back of the engine, maybe one is loose and is giving a bad readout.
Any DIC code, specially PCM?
Press reset to clear any messages then hold Options then press fuel four times, with the car on or in the on position.
If that doesn't work, try holding fuel then pressing options four times. I forget which.
This should bring up and diagnostic codes from the computer if any are tripped.
It must be some kind of sensor thats changing the way the computer runs.
Hows you idle? Any knocking? Ticking?
Do you have an aftermarket intake? --oiled MAF
How many miles on the plugs/wires? This should just make it run rough, but not THAT much power loss.
Maybe bad / old fuel from a recent gas station? I've seen low fuel pressure / defective pump cause a similar problem.
The O2 sensors are at the back of the engine, maybe one is loose and is giving a bad readout.
Any DIC code, specially PCM?
Press reset to clear any messages then hold Options then press fuel four times, with the car on or in the on position.
If that doesn't work, try holding fuel then pressing options four times. I forget which.
This should bring up and diagnostic codes from the computer if any are tripped.
