Low engine power?

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,702 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have a plugged catalytic converter. Here is a guide that will help you confirm the problem:

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/catalytic-converter-replacement

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKES1967
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Car spits and sputters. The check engine light on flashing. Smells gas bad like rotten eggs. White smoke out of tail pipe. Not running hot only half way temperature. Check engine light went off for a few days an ran perfect then light came back on and it has no power. Press gas to floor and it bogs down. I am stumped.
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,411 POSTS
Flashing light indicates a severe misfire. Scan the vehicle for codes to see if there are any other codes besides the misfire codes that may pop up. Post the codes on here and lets try to figure this out.
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Also, the rotten egg smell is likely from a clogged catalytic converter. Again, get the codes scanned. If the converter is clogged, you will likely get a P0420 code, in addition to any other codes that pop up. Your local AutoZone, Advance Auto, or O'reilly auto parts stores will scan it for you for free.
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RENEE L
  • ADMIN
  • 1,260 POSTS
Hi MIKES1967,

If you decide you would like to conduct the scan yourself here is a link to an article that features written step by step instructions and pictures explaining how to do the scan yourself. Also, I have included a link to our YouTube channel with a how to video on code scanning.

This is applicable even if your check engine light is not on.

Most scanners are inexpensive to purchase, you can purchase one online from sites like Amazon.com

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

https://youtu.be/YV3TRZwer8k

Once you have the codes please get back to us so that we can further assist you. We are always happy to help.

Thank you for visiting 2CarPros.com.

Kindest regards,

Renee
Admin
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POS07IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
  • 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 154,300 MILES
Ok so I've been battling this problem for a while to no avail:
My 07 impala 3.5 flex is making valve train noise after replacing intake manifold gasket, and replacing plugs and wires I've been told it may have something to do with pushrods and or hydraulic lifters here's my testing so far

Compression
1-198
2-202
3-195
4-203
5-201
6-200

Fuel pressure-
steady 58 psi running holds 50psi after key off
Fpr- operates fine

Vacuum-
Cranking 5"hg
Idle- 19 average but constantly fluctuates/flutter 3-4"hg
Snap throttle-0 and 25"hg high back to 19"hg slowly with a erratic fluctuation
1000rpm-20"hg pretty steady
2500rpm-22"hg

Good spark
Ac delco iridiums
Plugs gapped at 0.040"
Clean filter

Car has a weird loping feel at idle (very slight)
Can here constant ticking in car at idle
Idle is normally at 750-800rpm but intermittently it will drop about 100rpm or so when brakes are applied, and the engine begins to lope
I experience very inconsistent acceleration, loosing speed up hills
Doesn't want to hold rpms cruising in 2 or 3

The tranny isn't in the greatest condition but it has driven pretty much since the day I got it, and my problems got way worse after the manifold gasket replacement which is why I'm thinking valve train issues
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POS07IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
Any insight would be appreciated
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If you didn't have any problems until the intake gasket replacement then recheck your work or who ever did it. The pushrods are different lengths so could be int eh wrong positions as well as the gasket could be binding a pushrod. Your compression looks ok as high to low is only 8 # difference. Maybe the pushrods aren't adjusted correctly either.
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POS07IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
Well see that's where I'm stumped I personaly did the intake gasket, all pushrods in correct order, no wear on the gasket the first time I did it, second time I checked everything over againand I couldn't notice anything wrong, only thing I noticed was that the number 2 Pushrod looked a little stressed maybe bent very very slightly, but I don't see how that would cause such a lack in power, and its not missing.

I also don't think it has to do with the pushrods necessarily bc I have driven about 4000 miles on it like it is

Any other ideas?
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POS07IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
Also the rpms will jump when I LET OFF the gas cruising at like 45.
I just want to eliminate some possibilitys
A collapsed lifter would be noted in a loss off compression correct?
And if the Pushrod was indeed bent wouldn't it missfire?
Is there any way a rocker arm pedestal could be installed the wrong way?
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POS07IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
I mean jump as in 200-400 rpm once and then it decelerates as it should
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Scan for codes, check fuel pressure and clean throttle plate on both sides with choke cleaner. Then check for a vacuum leak with choke cleaner. Also clean iac valve and make sure duct work has no holes in it and connected to throttle body.
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POS07IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
No codes, fuel pressure at 58 steady, and fuel pressure responds as it should on acceleration, throttle plate cleaned alreAdy, and there is no iacv on this car, its a drive by wire so the throttle body is electric, and tps/iac are basically one unit
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POS07IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
  • 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 159,000 MILES
First off I'm sorry for asking a bunch of questions on this car I just want it fixed so I can get rid of it.

Before the intake it was running funny, hesitating on take off and hesitating on accel, I tore it down after it started leaking coolant from the crossover.

After I replaced the intake and plugs/wires the car started funny and was noisy on startup, the valve train started making more noise then before and my power loss/ hesitation became worse

Basically my question is.
Could this be an out of place Pushrod?
Could I even drive 5k if I did misplaced a Pushrod?
Lifter issue?
Or a clogged cat?

I ask this bc all I have tested so far came out good except manifold vacuum
Compression 200 -/+ 5 all 6
Fuel pressure 58 to about 60 on accel
Spark strong
Fuel Injectors all working
Air filter new
Maf/map good
Coolant/iat good
Throttle clean
Plugs(ac delco.040)

Only thing standing out is vacuum fluctuates 2-4 at idle but OS pretty steady at 19

Any ones knowledge on this homogulation of the 3.4 please help me out, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place I would tare into it again but I want to be 110% sure of what I need to fix

Thanks again
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POS07IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
I also searched everywhere for a vacuum leak to no avail, the ST AND LT fuel trims don't show any evidence of any cylinder(s) running lean due to a vacuum leak
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Lifters stick after this repair and I always recommend replacing them with this repair. It most likely is part of your issue.

As far as the push rods, no, you are good. If you messed them up, you would have bent a valve and had many other issues and no compression.

The vacuum fluctuation concerns me. You may have a valve not seating or burned.

I would start with the lifters.

Roy
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Without hearing this car it can only seem like a lifter problem. Maybe one is collapsing, and it seems to me like apushrod problem. The intake pushrods should have yellow stripes and exaust should have blue stripes. Or the intakes shold be 5.81 in long andexaust 6.1 in long. Also the rocker carms should have been torqued to 25 ft. Lb. As that is the adjustment. I'd recheck it once more to make sure they are right and torqued right.
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POS07IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
Couldnt that fluctuation be from the lifters sticking? And I take it if a valve got burned it was most likely due to the lifters sticking?

And can you explain a good prep for installing the lifters?
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
One other thing, because of the valve clatter it is probably making your knock sensor go off and it's retarding the timing causing your low power.
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Yes, the lifters could cause it.

Soak them in oil before installing.

Roy
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)

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