Engine Repair Troubleshooting

• Engine hesitates:

When you step on the gas, the engine seems to bog down or takes a second to respond.

You may notice a general lack of power. You may notice the problem when the engine is hot or cold or when you are low on fuel.

Possible causes:

• You may have a dirty air filter: Replace the air filter.

• The spark plugs may be dirty or worn: Clean and regap spark plugs. Replace spark plugs.

• The ignition wires may be bad: Replace ignition wires.

• There may be some other type of ignition problem: Check distributor cap or rotor. Ignition module may be bad.

• You may have water in the gasoline: Drain the gas tank and flushed with fresh gas and refill. (Generally not a DIY job)

• If you have a carburetor, you may have a bad accelerator pump or power circuit: Replace accelerator pump or replace carburetor.

• The fuel filter may be clogged: Replace fuel filter.

• Your catalytic converter may be clogged: Replace catalytic converter.

Possible causes:

• If you have a carburetor, the choke may not be set properly, or the choke may not be working correctly: Check the choke plate and make sure it is opening completely.

• The engine may be running too hot: Check and repair cooling system.

• The fuel pressure regulator may be operating at too low of a pressure: Check fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge. Replace fuel pressure regulator. (Generally not a DIY job)

• The ignition timing may be set wrong: Adjust ignition timing.

• There may be some type of ignition problem: Check and replace distributor cap, rotor, ignition wires and spark plugs.

• There may be a fault in the computerized engine control system: Check engine control systems with a scan tool. Test circuits and repair or replace components as required. (Generally not a DIY job)

• The fuel filter may be partially clogged: Replace the fuel filter.

• The torque converter in the transmission may not be locking at the right time, or it may be slipping: Check lock up circuit or replace torque converter. (Not a DIY job)

• There may be a vacuum leak: Check and replace vacuum lines as required.

• The engine may have mechanical problems: Check compression to determine engine condition.

• The EGR valve may be stuck open: Replace EGR valve.

• The drive axles may be loose or worn: Check and replace CV/universal joints as required.

• The fuel injectors may be dirty: Clean or replace fuel injectors.

Possible causes:

• The engine is overheating: Check and repair cooling system.

• The exhaust system and/or catalytic converter is plugged: Check and replace exhaust system and/or catalytic converter as required.

• A vacuum line is leaking or disconnected: Reconnect vacuum line. Replace vacuum lines.

• A vacuum device is leaking: Replace vacuum device.

Possible causes:

• Low power steering fluid: Check and fill power steering fluid.

• The alternator bearings are bad: Replace alternator.

• A bad water pump: Replace water pump.

• A bad power steering pump: Replace power steering pump.

• A bad air conditioning compressor: Replace air conditioning compressor. (Not a DIY job)