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Loss of power while driving uphill?

Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 211,000 MILES
A friend's car. He says he notices loss of power going uphill. He tried everything he knows. He even removed the hybrid battery and tested. He is good at that I know. He sent it to me. No engine codes. Engine sounds normal. Full in coolant and oil. No transmission codes, no hybrid codes. I drove it and it drove fine. I tried uphill and it's not that bad but weaker than it should. Feels like it's trying but the response is not where it should be. I am familiar with cars and shudder and transmissions, and that is not it. I feel like the catalytic may be the issue here. I took a lot of live data and few data to help you help me as much as possible. The first o2 sensor on these is right on top. I have the gauge that connects to the o2 sensor hole and I can measure. Should I measure this first one and then the one after the cat you think? Let me know if any of these numbers make sense.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 10:45 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Yep, that is where I would start, remove the primary oxygen sensor and take a reading under load to see if it is within specs and if so, I would try replacing the MAF sensor which can cause low power without giving a check engine light. Also check the engine air filter. Here is the location so you can check it out. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 1:17 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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Will do. If unplugging the MAF sensor solves it would that be an indication?
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 1:21 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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What about temperatures of cat before and after what they usually around?
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 1:22 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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  • 1,657 POSTS
I had to hit the gas for it to start since it's a hybrid so it can stay running. I took it for a drive with the o2 out but I had the same weak feeling whether straight or going uphill. Actually, it doesn't look as it should if I am not mistaken. But I want to know for sure if it's cat or fuel pump related. The air filter looks okay. I removed MAF sensor plug and it acted worse. No throttle. I also checked exhaust flow and there was air blowing from muffler.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 3:48 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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  • 1,657 POSTS
Do I need to raise it up and put it in gear and add more revving or this obvious enough?
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Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 9:58 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thanks for the videos, yep, that back pressure is too high. The primary cat looks okay, I would take temp readings at the secondary cat after a drive, that should vary about 100 degrees hotter at the rear of the cat and if not we need to remove it for inspection.

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

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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Oh, I didn't know there is another cat.
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Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 10:29 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, here is the location.
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Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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The one you marked? Why is the o2 sensor on it passes the cat? Isn't it usually before the cat?
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Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 4:47 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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Also, what is the part pass that o2 sensor, looks like a cat as well. But I am sure it's not. To the right of the red arrow.
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Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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That is the secondary O2 sensor which monitors the cats performance. You will need to look at the other items to see what they are, if you can upload images I can tell for sure to avoid confusion.
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2024 AT 10:18 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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I removed the cat bolts after the 2nd cat and it looks good and clean. Same readings from 1st o2. I did this in the video and it made a difference.
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Thursday, June 27th, 2024 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, you have a clog somewhere I would remove the exhaust system so you can inspect both ends of the catalytic converters, they can melt at either end. Good job with the exhaust trick, I like it and thanks for the video, please upload what you find.
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Thursday, June 27th, 2024 AT 11:26 AM

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