Engine Loses Power

DIANDJAY

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO
150,000 MILES

I have a 1999 chevy astro van awd 4.3 it drives okay for a couple of miles and then the acceleration drops out you cant go over 10 mph sometimes bucking and it seems like not much exhaust is coming out of tailpipe you let it sit over night and it will drive but won't accelerate beyond 10 miles, then makes a noise when trying to put pressure on the gas pedal, then it bucks a couple of times, then it may speed up. Can you great guys please help me :-)

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Has the check engine light come on? Have you checked fuel pump pressure?

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Saturday, November 19th, 2011 AT 10:45 PM

DIANDJAY

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3 POSTS

Yes the engine light did come on when this happened. Code was air flow sensor and EGR sensor. Have not check fuel pump pressure.

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Saturday, November 19th, 2011 AT 10:49 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Okay, the MAF sensor sounds like the issue. That would be what I recommend you check first.

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Saturday, November 19th, 2011 AT 10:53 PM

DIANDJAY

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3 POSTS

Somebody said that it may be a clogged catalytic converter. Could that be the issue? Thank you.

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Saturday, November 19th, 2011 AT 11:03 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

It could cause a problem too. Check to see if there is good pressure coming out the exhaust when running. If it is plugged, the pressure will be minimum and it will be making noise like it is plugged. Plus, often times when that is the problem, the converter will get so hot, it will glow red hot.