Car loses Power while driving?

Hi ksartain1,

Check if the sparks are bright blue or dull orange. Dull orange means the ignition coils is weak and failing.

When engine could not be started, test the fuel pressure id sparks are available.

If coolant is getting low, check for leakages, get a pressure test done.

Did you scan for codes? Also check intake vacuum and if 15" or under suspect a clogged converter.

Carb or EFI?

Plugs are covered in oil on the outside, or inside the cylinder? If the plgus are getting covered in oil on the inside, you are going to need some major work done. If it is just on the outside, then you may have a valve cover gasket leaking. Not a big deal, but not a reason for lost of power. Do you have a service engine soon light, or engine light on the dash that is lit up? If so, then have the engine code read, and that will lead you to the problem. If not, then it is just a guess as to what is wrong. If your car has high milage, I would check the compression on all of the cylinders and see if it is showing signs of being worn out.

Yes, a blown head gasket can cause a loss of power. But is that the case in this car, I dont know. Are you loosing radiator fluid? Is oil in your radiator fluid? Is radiator fluid in your oil? Is smoke coming out of the exhaust? These are all signs of a blown head gasket. A compression check will most likely tell you if you have a blown head gasket.
You should be able to read the code your self. Do this procedure.
When the CHECK ENGINE warning light has been reported on, turn the ignition ON, pull down the passenger's side carpet inspection flap from under the dashboard, and monitor the LED on the top of the control unit. The LED indicates a system failure code by its blinking frequency.

The control unit LED can indicate any number of simultaneous component problems by blinking separate codes, one after another.

So basically count the number of blinks. If it blinks 6 times, then pauses, then blinks 6 times and pauses over and over, you have 1 code and it is #6. If it blinks 6 times, then pauses, then blinks 12 times, then pauses, then blinks 4 times and pauses, then starts over at 6, then you have three codes. Code 6, 12, and 4.
If you can figues out the blinks, then I will tell you what the code means.

For your wagon, use this method.
Without Scan Tool

How to Display and Read Diagnostic Trouble Codes

In the event of a PGM-FI system malfunction, a dash mounted indicator lamp will illuminate and stay On. When this condition occurs, it will be necessary to check the ECU LED display to diagnose PGM-FI system malfunctions.

When the dash mounted indicator lamp is illuminated, remove the right door sill molding and small cover on the kick panel, then pull down the carpet from under the dashboard to expose the ECU. Turn on the ignition switch and observe the LED on top of the ECU. The LED will indicate a system failure code by blinking frequency and two second pauses.

As an example:

One blink, followed by a two second pause, followed by one blink and another two second pause indicates a failure code 1.
Two blinks, followed by a two second pause, followed by two blinks and another two second pause indicates a failure code 2.
The ECU is also capable of indicating simultaneous failure codes as follows:
One blink, followed by a two second pause, followed by two blinks and another two second pause indicates failure codes 1 and 2.

Sound like the axle is bad, get it up on a lift and check to see exactly where the grinding and knocking is comming from. It sounds like the front axle. Also check the bearings.

I would say that a cv axle has disengaged from the tranny. The cause is what you need to find out. Look at the motor mount by the tranny as problem as well.

Hi yasirk45,

You would need to check the idling system and find out if there are any vacumn leakages.

Is it a single or twin carb?