Power issues

[Chris S]

Recently I seem to have lost some power from the engine or somewhere between the engine to the wheels.
The car used to basically go up slopes in idle (its an auto 323) but now it doesnt seem to want to do that anymore.
I was wondering what could cause this. I changed the sparkies about early-mid last year to ngk irisium IX max. The car idles a lot since its usually driven in very congested areas so I was wondering if the sparkies have been fouled or something similar. Im going to change them to a spare set (bosch super something) tomorrow and see if that helps.
Iv also been suggested its the transmission which may be causing this problem and perhaps a fluid change would fix it.
Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions which may help

[bboyvek]

i would add to the list...dirty air filter, o2 sensor, but top of the list is def transmission n sparkies.
R you getting any codes??

[motorwerks]

Given the age of the car you should seriously consider a trans flush regardless. Also look into seafoaming the engine. It can help remove much of the buildup that your car has from idling in traffic. (not my video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzqohWTChwY

[Chris S]

Thanks for the help so far guys.

No Im not getting any codes at all that I can see but then I dont have a check engine light like the US cars.

I pulled out one of the spark plugs today and checked it... there didnt seem to be any buildup and looked to be in good condition (light dry brownish powder on it) so I put it back in without changing it.
The air filter is still new .. fresh since about june last year (2008) and Iv checked that and its clean (as compared to a new filter Iv got).

Iv also had the fuel filter changed last July/August so that should be good as well.

The oil and oil filter has about due for change (a bit over 4000Kms) so Im going to have that done in about a week or two and I think Ill have to see if the transmission fluid can be changed at the same time without it having any ill effects. The last thing I want is to have the transmission fluid changed then to have it die on me a little while later.

Im not sure if they sell seafoam here but Ill ask if they have something similar and if theyll doit for me.

[Nline6]

isnt it bad to seafoam your engine? doesnt it foul the plugs? I thought about it. anyone else done this?

[motorwerks]

isnt it bad to seafoam your engine? doesnt it foul the plugs? I thought about it. anyone else done this?

I've never heard of it fouling the plugs. I've known dozens of E36ers that have done it with no ill effects... Actually nearly all report back with positive results. The ones who didn't have positive results claimed no effects at all.

[willysully]

:bigpimp:I WOULD NOT PUT ANYTHING INTO CRANKCASE BUT OIL. Clogged fuel filter, bad bearings on A.C. Compressor, all could be the culprit. When I changed the fuel filter you couldnt even bolw through it. Just prior to compressor failure I noticed a pronounced loss of power. If you change the fuel filter be sure to remove the fuel filler cap to depressureise the system.

[Foxider2012]

Could be a faulty fuel pump, or the fuel pressure is low. Vaccume leak at the throttle body, intake manifold or associated hoses. Uneven or low cylinder compressions. Brakes binding, clutch slipping or clogged injectors/ fuel injection system fault...

[Chris S]

Could be the brakes binding since I very occasionally hear squealing but dont know why but seems to be coming from the wheels... but only very rarely and only when im rolling forward on idle or very low speeds without using the brakes (BTW what is brake binding exactly?).


With the fuel pressure problems and vacuum leak etc. would that still be possible with a VERY smoothly running engine?

I do not believe the clutch is an issue since the car is an Automatic.

[Foxider2012]

Could be the brakes binding since I very occasionally hear squealing but dont know why but seems to be coming from the wheels... but only very rarely and only when im rolling forward on idle or very low speeds without using the brakes (BTW what is brake binding exactly?).


With the fuel pressure problems and vacuum leak etc. would that still be possible with a VERY smoothly running engine?

I do not believe the clutch is an issue since the car is an Automatic.


I guess i missed the automatic part lol. and No the car would run like crap with a vaccume leak so that is eliminated. Binding brakes is pretty much when your car is braking at all times, Usually the brake caliper not releasing. Caused by Caliper seals soft or broken, Lines/hoses collapsed/kinked, Caliper pistons frozen/seized, Master cyl. cups swollen, Caliper cyl. bore rough/worn, Caliper cyl. seals damaged, Disc warped, Disc out of parallel, Disc has rough castings, Plugged master cyl. port, Pressure check valve or the Push is rod misadjusted.

[Mark@EACTuning]

check out the EAC website linked in my signature for your tune-up parts. We are here to help.

[Foxider2012]

check out the EAC website linked in my signature for your tune-up parts. We are here to help.

It looks like a good website, but we have to figure out the problem first.:thumbup:

[Chris S]

check out the EAC website linked in my signature for your tune-up parts. We are here to help.

be great if i was in the USA ;)