Loss of Power
 

I'm hoping someone will be nice enough to help me out with this. Basically, the situation is my grandpa has a 99 Alero GL V6 (fully stock obviously) that he's been having some weird problems with. It's not that major, but the engine seems to be acting weird and doesn't have any power to it. I've tried replacing the air filter, fuel filter, fuel injector cleaner, and still nothing. The other day it completely stalled out on my sister while she was driving it. I know it's not the LIMG because I don't see any fluids leaking from the engine and the LIMG was already fixed under warranty about 4 years ago. The cars only got 95,000kms and it's been well maintained. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

when's the last time he had a tune-up?

If it stalled out, you might wanna check the fuel pump in the gas tank. When mine did that, my fuel pump went out. If that's not the problem, then it's probably fuel injectors or spark plugs or the coil pack.

I had a regal that went through this, we all the tune up stuff and found the Cat Converter was plugged. Check that one out cause I think there is a very long warrenty on that, 8 years, you just might make it.

The last tune-up would have been about 2 years ago. We did the plugs about 3 years ago with NGK Iridiums. I doubt it's the plugs because I think they only have about 20,000kms if not less on them. My grandpa doesn't really use the car for much... just groceries once a week and to the gym 3 times a week. Other than that it just sits in the garage.

If it's the fuel pump is there some sort of additive I can add to clean it out?

For the cat converters is there any things I can look for to check that?

clogged cat should stink. Im not sure if you can clean the fuel pump out.

For the cat, most of the time you can tell by banging your hand on the underside of them. If you hear a rattle, they're shot.

RD

bad cat is my guess too

plates can get loose inside, and cause temp. plugs..

I'd vote for the fuel pump and cat too. I'd say the cat first.

On a side note, why don't you drive it around the block a few time going 60 in first gear, that will teach that crazy car to eff with you :rolleyes2:

Next time I visit them I'll try checking out the cat. If the cat is plugged is there a way to unplug it or is it just a throw away item?

Also, if it is the cat can it just be removed? Someone mentioned it's an 8 year warranty on the cat can anyone else verify this?

If it's the fuel pump is it the one that's inside the gas tank? I heard those are expensive and a bitch to replace.

My car lost power at the top of the ambassador bridge comming from detroit to windsor in the winter. Luckily I was already at the top. The dealer did the test. They check tha the pressure ahead of the cat. If it's too high, it's plugged.

I would go there with the VIN and ask if it's covered, if it is then they fix it for free. It's worth a phone call.

Cat is a throw away. New one shouldnt be more than $150 installed. Fuel pump is a bitch. Need to drop the tank to get to it and GM does not sell the pump itself but as a unit with the fuel level sender as well which runs around $400. If you remove the cat you need to fab a test pipe, most reputable shops wont do this because of emissions laws. If you find someone to do it you will need an o2 simulator since the computer is looking for a reading from an o2 sensor located in the cat to verify its operation.

holy crap, my cat was 1500 at the dealer, I was looking at aftermarket ones for 400. is that cause it's a regal?

i have no idea. I am basing this off aftermarket cats that i have seen around. Most are the same thing just different shapes. Any exhaust shop should be able to get you a good price quote.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help. I won't be in Saskatoon for a couple weeks but when I am I'll try trading cars with them to see if I can get this fixed. I'll try out the banging the bottom of it to see what it does first and go from there. I'll check with a dealership and see what they say, hopefully it's covered under warranty *knock on wood*.

I'll report back in a couple weeks.

Tell him to buy a mazda

Thanks all for the help. Guess I'm not gonna have a chance to look at it. My grandpa felt he was due for a new car (had the Alero since 2000 and just didn't feel like fixing it) so he just bought an Altima instead. I have no idea what's going on with the Alero but knowing him it probably got traded in or donated to a charity. He asked if I wanted it and I just don't have room for it at my apartment so who knows.

holy crap your cat should be the same as what the alero has they call it a "breadloaf" and 1500 dollars thats nuts an aftermarket is no more than 50