power loss at driving RPM's/under load

zukhauler · 01-12-2007, 02:50 PM

This metro I just picked up starts and idles perfect. It was a daily driver thats been sitting for "awhile" due to exhaust that couldn't pass inspection. On the 1 hour drive home, I noticed that it was the doggiest metro I've driven. I could cruise along just fine up to 60MPH, but when I pushed the pedal down at any RPM/speed, it bogged momentarily, and then ran OK. Next day, I left my house and made it about 4 miles before I turned around. It was bogging to the point of not being driveable. Still starts/idles PERFECT. I replaced the fuel filter, swapped cap, rotor, wires, plugs, and coil. No difference. It starts bogging in 1st, but it's much worse in higher gears. It won't start going up a steep hill from a stop. It seems SLIGHTLY better before it warms up. It has a vacuum advance distributor, I didn't have any lying around so I haven't tried that yet. Anyone know what I'm dealing with here? Thanks!
Nick

hotrodfeguy · 01-12-2007, 05:37 PM

Wgat year is this car? I had this happen to me I checked the cam and the belt jumpped two teeth. I would pull the cover off and make sure the marks are on time.

zukhauler · 01-29-2007, 10:57 AM

It's a 1991.

OK, valve timing is good.
Ignition timing is good.
Exhaust is not plugged(muffler is missing).
Compression is at 180 on all 3 on a cold engine.
Spark is consistent and strong.
Advance is functioning.
Cap, rotor, plugs, coil are good.
Fuel filter is new.
Swapped injector, no crud on it.
Swapped fuel pressure regulator(fixed problem for 1 mile).
?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????

I don't know. Does the in-tank strainer clog usually?
It's a little hard to start now, but it does start and idle well. It just feels like it's flooding or losing fuel when I try to accelarate. Occasionally, it'll run OK, then I can't get up to speed at all. It seems like it's drinking a lot of gas. Do any guru's know where to look/what to do? I paid WAY too much for this car to call it quits, I've already got enough parts cars. HELP!!

hotrodfeguy · 02-03-2007, 07:29 PM

It jumped off retarded a tooth. It was very cold here and below 0 when i started it. It jumped off right away. Still runs but runs crappy and slugish.

zukhauler · 02-04-2007, 03:39 PM

The valve timing is on. At this point, I'm thinking that it's a fuel pump issue. I need to spring for a pressure tester to confirm, and I need the temperature to go up so I can work on it.

If your belt jumped, you might want to retension it or replace it. If it's in good shape and properly tensioned, it shouldn't be able to jump. Thanks!
Nick