Engine has no power going up hills?

Tiny
DANO84
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE RAM
  • 170,000 MILES
The truck runs fine on a flat surface but I can barely get it up to 40mph on a hill. I've done everything I can think of to boost performance including changing the oil, Sea Foam-ing the engine, changing the air filter, trying lots of fuel additives and putting in expensive Bosch spark plugs but nothing seems to work. Please help. It is a V6, 5 speed manual. Thanks.
Friday, January 20th, 2012 AT 9:58 PM

35 Replies

Tiny
PROAUTOTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 288 POSTS
It's most likely a clogged catalytic converter, do you have an engine light or any stored codes?

This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Friday, January 20th, 2012 AT 10:11 PM
Tiny
DANO84
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
There is no engine lights on and I don't know anything about codes. Is a clogged catalytic converter something I can try and fix on my own? I'm not a mechanic but I'm pretty handy and enjoy working on my truck. And I'm not too keen on paying alot to have a pro fix a truck I just bought for $2K:)
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Friday, January 20th, 2012 AT 10:19 PM
Tiny
PROAUTOTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 288 POSTS
Go to autozone or advance and have it scanned for codes for free. Let me know.
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Friday, January 20th, 2012 AT 10:39 PM
Tiny
DANO84
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I will do that. Thanks.
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Saturday, January 21st, 2012 AT 1:59 AM
Tiny
DANO84
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I took the truck to Autozone and they checked for codes but their were none.
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Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Yes, you can unbolt the y-pipe from the manifolds and take it for a quick test drive. It'll be loud, but it's the easiest way to check it.

This guide can help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

let us know what you find
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Friday, January 27th, 2012 AT 7:53 AM
Tiny
DANO84
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
So I got under the truck and disconnected the exhaust from the catalytic converter. (There was no y-pipe. Just 1 pipe coming off either side of the manifold and going into the cat separately. So 2 pipes welded into the catalytic converter.) Then I hit the highway and tried it out on some steep exit ramps at high speed. It was loud but I definitely noticed an increase in power going uphill. So I guess a clogged catalytic converter was the problem, as you suspected. What now? I'm pretty sure it's illegal to drive around with no exhaust system and the cat is welded into the exhaust. I don't have the equipment or the expertise to weld on a new catalytic converter so does this mean I have to take it to a repair shop and get a new one installed? Thanks for the advice.
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Saturday, January 28th, 2012 AT 6:56 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Hook it back up. Then go to a parts store and buy the replacement converter and three pipe clamps of the proper size. Cut the cat out with a hacksaw or sawzall (metal blade) and slide the parts together. You may need to ask the parts store to 'swaydge' the cat openings (expand them a little) so the exhaust pipes fit into them.

This guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/catalytic-converter-replacement

Then take the old cat to a recycler. You can get as much as $20-$40 for it because of what it's made of.
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Saturday, January 28th, 2012 AT 10:26 PM
Tiny
DANO84
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks alot! The cat fixed it
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Saturday, January 28th, 2012 AT 10:42 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
My pleasure.
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Sunday, January 29th, 2012 AT 12:07 AM
Tiny
DODGEBALL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Truck runs great on nice days but when it rains pretty good all of a sudden the truck loses power. The engine doesnt shut off but you can push the gas pedal to the floor and it just coasts like youre in neutral. Power comes and goes sputtering.
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 AT 2:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CASPAR78
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
When is the last time you had a tune up?My 1996 did the exact same thing and it ran so good on nice days I thought it did not need a tune up but it did and cured the problem with air filter cap and rotor plug wires and plugs. By the way the bosch platinum 4 plugs are awsome and worth every penny. Fuel filter and oil change is also good idea at this time.
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 AT 2:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DODGEBALL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I did a tune up3 months ago, new wires, rotor, cap, plugs. It rained a few times since and it still acted up. I got to talk to a guy yesterday who told me that more than likely I needed a new crank sensor. He said it had a insulator on it that will eventually crack over time and that moisture is wicking up the crack and causing the sensor to fail. I guess ill give it a try, although it hasnt rained here in over a month. Glad yours is runnin good, and thanks for the response =)
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 AT 2:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KWILD8275
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE RAM
  • 5.9L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I recently ran out of gas and after putting gas in it over the course of a week the truck completely lost all power will Idol for a second but eventually bogs down and cuts off. I have lost all fuse panel identification cannot find on the internet anywhere need help locating a possible vacuum hose leak or fuel system fuel filter being clogged don't know how to identify anything I am a carpenter not a mechanic but have no money and I'm doing this myself please help me
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 AT 2:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check for a vacuum leak like a line broken or cracked or off etc. then go to auto parts scan for codes and check fuel pressure with a gauge autop arts rent it.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
check where arrows are those would be large vacuum leaks.
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 AT 2:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KWILD8275
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Checked house next to map sensor that goes directly into throttle body and the gasket that connected it to the throttle body was dry rotted. Fixed that with some vacuum tape. Now it seems like the idle air control valve might be bad because it is still making sound after it is cranked it will run better but still not as it should and it is still making a loud air sucking noise
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 AT 2:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You don't tape a hose your replace it so check all your vacuum lines and if dry rotted/cracked/leaking replace them. Clean the throttle plate and iac hole with choke cleaner sounds like you still have a vacuum leak somplace.
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 AT 2:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE GROENEVELD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE RAM
  • 5.9L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
Its getting 6mpg in town and around 10mpg on the highway
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 AT 2:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Scan for codes and check fuel pressure with a gauge auto parts rent it. also check for a vacuum leak.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 AT 2:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BHADDEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 267,000 MILES
My '98 Dodge Ram 1500 (267,000 miles) was running great and then suddenly as I was driving I felt a loss of power. My truck wouldn't accelerate any more but maintained the current speed (about 40 mph). When I stopped at the next light it would not accelerate past 20 mph. I dont feel it shifting out of a low gear but I dont think it is a transmission issue. I keep thinking I may have gotten bad gas. Now it does not accelerate past 10 mph and dies quickly when I try to accelerate. As I press the pedal, if it does not die, I can hear the engine get increasingly louder but does not rev up. Is this something I might be able to handle myself or should I go ahead and have it towed to a local shop? I am fairly handy and have friends that are willing to help me but I dont want to make things worse while we dont now exactly what is wrong. I figured I would check my fuel filter when I get out of school and work one night this week (weather premitting) but hoping for an extra insight. Thank You.
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 AT 2:48 PM (Merged)

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