Engine Power Issues - 2000 3.8l
 

Hello, I am having major trouble with my Camaro these days. Yesterday, driving down the road, the car experienced major acceleration loss, as I felt it became hard to climb bridges and hills. I arrived home, hooked up the computer, and the car has no codes. That in itself is troubling.

The car: Is a stock 2000 3.8L V6. Nothing special.

The problem (per my description): Very limited power on acceleration. As well as you can hear the engine chime in and out, struggling to accelerate. Because of the loss of power it shifts gears as at odd RPMs.

What I've done in the past: Tune up 6,000 miles ago- I replaced plugs, wires, and all coil packs.

What I did yesterday: Replaced PCV valve and fuel filter (to no avail).


Any thoughts on no codes? EGR? Catalytic converter? It's over my broke and limited head... If..needs be, I can possibly elaborate further..

Sounds like that cat is clogged. Do a back pressure test and thatll tell you forsure if it is the cat. A good cat will have under a 1 psi of pressure.

Well I didn't have anything to test the pressure with, but I've been having a feeling that the cat was plugged. So using what tools I have (feeling pretty redneck), I just cut off the exhaust before the cat. Took it for a drive and all the power is back. So I'll replace the converter.

So does that mean my fuel mixture is too rich? Too lean? Although, I suspect the converter failure from the road and the low ride that is the Camaro. The converter had noticeably sized bumps and divots in on the bottom of the box. As I took I was taking off, I heard pieces rattling around. I'll check inside of it, for the hope of not having to work on some other part of the engine to fix the hidden culprit problem...

Over time they rot away.

Well you have a reason for replacing the coil packs? if you had a miss that could put the final nail in the coffin og the cat. Most of the time after a cat has pugged up it is a good idea to replace the o2 sensors. The get messed up because the cat was plugged but they can cause the new cat to have a short life.