Car losing power when going up hills and trying to pick up speed. No power

Tiny
SHADOW321
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 NISSAN ALMERA
  • 93,000 MILES
The car is has recently been serviced and had two new sensors. When driving it up a slight incline there seems to be no power to pick up speed and sometimes if you go as fast as 40mph it starts to judder and then loses power. The engine light has come on again but a test shows nothing major? We are so confused to what the problem maybe.

Regards
Tuesday, April 16th, 2013 AT 2:02 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
It sounds like the catalytic converter is clogged causing the issue. this guide will help

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

Roy
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2013 AT 4:31 PM
Tiny
SHARIQ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thank you it was the catalytic converter on my car.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:27 PM
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2005 NISSAN ALMERA
  • 80,000 MILES
Engine starts and is running, however engine light comes on and there is no acceleration. Unable to diagnose the problem, do you have the answer.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
You will need to start with getting a scan tool and plug it into the OBDII connector, most of the generic scanners are good for this.
Let us know what the outcome is, it will give you a "P" code
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2004 NISSAN ALMERA
  • 76,000 MILES
I have a 2004 Nissan almera 1.5 not accelerating. When diagnosed it gives me the codes p1122 and 1126. I have tested the throttle unit and the peddle on another similar car and both work fine. This problem started after I replaced the antenna ring on the ignition because it was faulty.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,347 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have a throttle actuator that has gone out and needs to be replaced. Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-throttle-body-works

Here is what it will be like on your car (Below) Then clear the codes and you should be all set.

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DEBBI
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 NISSAN ALMERA
  • 196,000 MILES
On Thursday my car seemed to be loosing power and then on Friday it really had no power it normally flies up hills now it does not get past 80 kms/hour on a hill. When it idles it seems like the engine wants to climb up and leave it shakes so much. Any ideas what could be wrong?
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Here is a diagnostic walk through for your situation. Just follow the link below or paste it in your browser and it will walk you through all the most likely scenarios.
Here is the link;

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHAWN_187
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2002 NISSAN ALMERA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
When driving up a hill my car suddenly moves very slowly, like at 15 -20 km/h and the rpm's only goes to like 2500 and then drops down quickly ( the needle in the gauge is bouncing at 2500 and back to like 1000 like every second but the car will not cut off.

The car is going a bit back and forward a lot when this happens. Car runs great on flat roads but once I start going up a hill this problem occurs. There is no loss of power or speed on flat roads.

I had a qg16 engine ( a 1.6) before in the car and the same problem occurred but the transmission felt like it was slipping and there was loss of power so I changed the engine to a qg18 ( a 1.8) and bought a new transmission.

After the engine change there is more power on flat roads and the transmission does not slip on hills. But there is the same problem of the car no being able to drive up a hill normal. If I make it at the top of a hill or halfway I have to pull over to stop for a while and when I continue to drive mostly on flat road again, the car drives normal.

There are no codes but the check engine light is on. All oils are at their levels and there are no leaks anywhere.
Please help me!
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Is the transmission oil okay? Is it bright red or dark and smells burnt?
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHAWN_187
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, the transmission oil is good, was changed few months ago when the engine was changed along with other oils. Also plugs were changed. I heard about changing the fuel filter on the web. Do you know where it is located and will this help?

I also heard some stuff about a plugged catalytic converter, can you please give information about this? Also which part do you suggest I replace first, because I do not want to waste money since the car only gives this problem going up a hill?

Any advice and information is appreciated. Thanks
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,347 POSTS
Hey SHAWN,

Yes it sounds like the cat converter is partially plugged, here is a guide to help you test it.

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

Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken

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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHAWN_187
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hey Thanks for the advice Ken

So I looked for my cat converter and it was bolted on under my exhaust manifold and when I checked I found that it was changed when I had installed a new engine( it came with the engine) There isn't much of a rattling noise.

There is another box in the middle of the car I think its the resonator, could this also get plugged, there isn't a rattling noise from it.

I also removed the O2 sensor in the exhaust manifold, when I rev the engine a lot (usually at 3000 - 3500rpm) there is a backfire noise that comes through the O2 sensor hole.
Is this normal?

Also if I change my fuel filter, which I plan 2 do first, and there is still the problem, Any advice what could be the problem.
Could a bad sensor cause this, if so which one most likely. Remember the problem is only up hill and the car works great on flat.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,347 POSTS
It sounds like you may have a broken valve spring. Here is a guide that may help you, please check it out and get back to me.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-backfires-while-running

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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2001 NISSAN ALMERA
  • 100,000 MILES
I got my car serviced a few weeks ago and was told the back brakes were gone the brake pads were changed and the calipers had been pushing them in so the mechanic pulled them back and said they should be okay. Today car was losing power on the road and a smell of burning rubber coming from it when I pulled over. Stopped for a few mins and took off again and could feel power coming back into car - is this the brake problem again?
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Sounds like the pads are not releasing. Take it back to the shop and have them re heck there work. Could be bad calipers or bad brake hoses

Roy
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PAZ2626
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 NISSAN ALMERA
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 125,000 MILES
S reg nissan almera 1.6
i have no loss of power and fluid levels are remaining the same temperature is fine! But when I accelerate I have water coming out of the end of the exhaust smokes when cold but when shes warm this stops? Can anybody help me please?
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
That sounds like normal condensation that forms in the exhaust system. Engine coolant would exit as steam only.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 5:28 PM (Merged)

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