Engine has a lack of power can I fix it?

Tiny
SCOTTY2HOTTY
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 119,000 MILES
The cat convertor on my 96 s-10 2.2l is gone im looking at replacing it soon. Would this cause my truck to have lack of power?
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 AT 8:17 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
A blocked exhaust for whatever reason can cause low power. Do a compression test on your cylinders. Check out these guides

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 AT 9:08 PM
Tiny
SCOTTY2HOTTY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Its not blocked its actually missing.
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Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 AT 9:21 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
OH, My first thought would be, give it a tune-up. Put the cat back on.
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
CHEVY5196
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 166,000 MILES
My truck spits and sputters and makes a popping sound when I accelerate. Found a crack in head. Replaced head along with plugs, wires, and fuel filter. Din not help. Still runs very rough. No check engine light on. Any ideas?
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-1
Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi chevy5196 and welcome to 2carpros

Do a fuel pressure test to confirm that the fuel pump is producing the correct fuel pressure. If okay check and test the idle air control valve/throttle position sensor/MAF/MAP sensors-then report back for more assistance

Good Luck
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ODIEMAE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Give it gas and still doesn't go. It is a 2.2l. I have several codes from scanner.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Some possible issues.

1. Fuel pressure. you need to verify correct fuel pressure.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

2. Catalytic converter clogged. you need to check the back pressure of the exhaust.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

3. Throttle body. Check the throttle body plate for any carbon build up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

4. Valve timing. I assume it is a 2.5, not a 2.3. The timing chain needs to be checked to be sure it is not worn.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-timing-belt-works

Roy
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ODIEMAE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I think it is a 2.2.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, got it.

Still the same checks.

Roy
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+1
Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COUNTRYMANS10
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1996 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 10,000 MILES
Truck bogging down through first and second gear (automatic trans.) Have replaced fuel filter, plugs, wires, cap, button. Any ideas?
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
What motor? Any codes?
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COUNTRYMANS10
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
V6 vortec. Its only throwing p0420 code. But only after hollowing out my converter. It was misfiring/bogging down before I did it too and throwing no code, which is why I hollowed out the converter thinking it was clogged up, but that did nothing either, so now its throwing the code and still occuring. Took it to a local shop they said to replace the cap and button and it should fix it, it seems to stop the misfiring and bogging down for about 4-5 days and was running perfect, so I thought it was the problem. But now its doing it yet again running like ass. Seems to only occur when pressing throttle through first and second gear (in auto trans) once I get it to third shift(gear) it smooths out and runs ok with very little to no bog down. Seems I have to ease the throttle to get it to not do it, but its when I press hard on the pedal it doesnt want to go, or if it does bogs down and sputters. Hope this info is a little more helpful. Thank you.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COUNTRYMANS10
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Oh also to mention the local shop smoked it out (vaccum) and checked my fuel preassure and those all tested out fine. For some reason im thinkin it could now be injectors not fuelling correctly/clogged, or maybe fuel pump not pumping the right amount of fuel into the engine when I press on the gas pedal? Not sure what it could be though. Also tried sea foam but that did absolutely nothing either.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Did you use good quality ignition parts? Auto store house brand is crap generally. So that has spider/poppet injection?
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
What about MAF/MAP sensor? How do plugs look?
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COUNTRYMANS10
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It looks fine I even checked inside to see if gunk was built up in the connectors. I have tried everything mechanics have reccommended and still no fix for it. It also seems like it ran better for about a week after I put the new plugs in too, but started up doing it again. I used ac delco parts, except for the plug wires, they were like in a black box with purple at the top.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JSHE6015
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1996 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 129,000 MILES
It seems that my truck has lost power. And a great deal of fuel economy. I have replaced the cap, rotor, plugs, wires, fuel filter and even the catalytic converter. But none of these have really helped all that much. Could this be the injectors? Or maybee the fuel pump?
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If your service engine light is on then you should have the engine scanned, most auto parts stores do this. Check your fuel pressure it should be 60-66 p.S.I. It could be the injector lines inside the intake manifold that are cracked causing this as well. A pro should check that out as he will have more experieince on this.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MRBOOTH98
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
Was running good then suddenly started acting up as I left a stop sign. Idles fine, revs up good when parked. Runs very rough through all gears. Plugs all black soot. Replaced coil pack, plugs and wires, fuel filter, injectors, fpr, fuel pump six months ago, checked TPS was okay. Small amount of black smoke when revved up. Very rough at any rpm under load.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Mrbooth98, ,y name is Alex and I will be helping you. There are a few things that can causing this problem. I have included a link that probably will be helpful to you at the end of this message. Let us know if you need any more help as you track the problem down. Thank you. https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-low-engine-power https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)

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