Monte Carlo lost horsepower, barely makes it uphill

SNOWWHITE111

MEMBER
CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO

I have a 2002 Monte Carlo LS, 102000 miles, has hardly any horsepower and going uphill is quite a strain. It usually wont get over 40 mph and if I give it more gas rpm's just go higher, but no speed. Getting up to 40 mph takes alot of effort. Computer code said it was EGR valve. Had it replaced and still no better. Boyfriend thinks it might be catalytic converter. I don't smell anything at all. Like fuel. It doesn't chug like it's not getting fuel.I had it completely floored one day and the rpm never went higher than 2500 and the speed never increased. When the car is just idling. It sounds great.

Thank you in advance for a reply!

4 Replies

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

Your boyfriend might be onto something. Loosen the exhaust bolts before the cat and see if it runs better, little loud but an easy way to diagnose the problem

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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 12:43 PM

SNOWWHITE111

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3 POSTS

Hi again. Would he just be loosening the bolts or taking off the entire converter? Thanks!

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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 12:48 PM

SERVICE WRITER

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9,123 POSTS

I think Jack means to remove the bolts, support the exhaust system (with wire), so that the exhaust flows freely without going through the converter.

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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 7:05 PM

SNOWWHITE111

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3 POSTS

Hey thanks so much for your replies! I told my boyfriend about loosening the bolts, but instead we just took it down to Apex and got a new cat put on. Runs superb again! I am soooo happy my baby car is all better! I had to drive about 13 miles or so to the shop and didn't think I was going to make it. Top speed I could go was about 32 in a 45 zone. LOL. So thanks again for the reply!

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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 10:50 PM