My car has recently been losing power and it keeps getting worse. I used to be able to get my tires to smoke and do donuts, now I can't even get them to screech a little bit. I get my car reved to about 4k and release the clutch and all I here is the rpms dropping down as the car tries to get moving, but I still can't break the tires loose.

So I'm thinking it could be egr valve. I already replaced plugs and wires, distributor cap, rotor, and I'm pretty sure it isn't a blocked fuel line because it idles fine. I take off the egr valve and examine it and it seemed to be in great condition. I cleaned it up a bit just to make sure, but minus being a little dirty, it's good as new. So then I start to think vacuum leak somewhere and I follow every line until I come across where it splits into a T. One end goes off to connect directly to the block and right here, I found a huge crack in it and its really badly dry rotted. I cut part of the dry rot off and reconnected it, but I'm thinking I should put some sealer on there.

Could this really be the reason why I'm lacking performance so much? Or is it something else? I can't test drive it because I'm waiting for my new radiator to come in (my old one was leaking). Any ideas?

 

i'm no mechanic but it could be several problems....just because you car idles fine, doesn't mean its not the fuel system. enough fuel is making run but not enough when you kick it down. i would say thats not it since you can get it to 4k and its fine.how about theclutch? perhaps its not gripping anymore. i would lean towards that. prolly need to replace your clutch plates. sounds as if the engine is running fine, just no power.your motordraws down when the clutch is released. if its not the clutch, hopefully one of the guys here that know much much more than i can help. i just seen no one answered your post yet. good luck.

 

by the way, is you car giving you the check engine/service engine soon light? if so, whats the code? if no code, prolly the clutch is bad from the donuts and what not.

 

the check engine light isn't on... except i'll occassionally pop a code on the highway, but it shuts off when I turn the car off and doesn't go back on until I get on the highway again. If my clutch was going though, wouldn't I get clutch slipping when shifting and whatnot?

 

how bout your motor is old and tired what yr

 

1989, but I doubt that it would go from being young and kicking and then two weeks later decide to go through a midlife crisis and want to nap all the time. It's got 149,000 miles on it, but is in great condition, minus some rotting and cracking hoses from sitting for the past 2 years sleeping.