2001 Pontiac Firebird Losing Power after several hard accle

LTKNT

MECHANIC
2001 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

Engine Performance problem
2001 Pontiac Firebird V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I have a 2001 Pontiac Firebird. It has 142,000 miles on it. When I start it up and hit the road it runs fine, however it begins to lose power after about 5 floor board accelerations. If I stop accelerating hard for, or park the car for a while, the power returns. There seems to be a pressure issue, but I don't know for sure. Do you have any clues?

4 Replies

KEVIN12881

MEMBER
336 POSTS

Ther are a number of things to cause this. First of is ther any problem with the RPMs or shaking of the engine? Check your transmissoin fluid and clean/change all filter (air, fuel). Have you been using bad gas? Here are a few other things: ERG system, vacume leeks, spark plugs/wires, distribuer, brakes binding, incorrect timing, ignition coils, low or uneven cylinder compression ect.

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Saturday, September 13th, 2008 AT 2:20 PM

LTKNT

MECHANIC
30 POSTS

Thanks for the reply kevin12881. Yes my engine shakes a little. Getting some tapping noise from the lifters. I recently replaced the spark plugs but have not changed the wires. That will be next on the list. If problem remains I will work on the other things you pointed out. Thanks!

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Saturday, September 13th, 2008 AT 5:30 PM

KEVIN12881

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You are scaring me with the lifter noise. I have a 95 trans am with the LT1 and the engine is at 130k but runs perfect! I, however, have a different electrical problem every month, this month it is the fuel relay sensor. To pin point you lifter noise (which can also come from the other suggestions) put a rubber tube to your ear and run it down the rocker arm cover to see if you can pinpoint the problem valve. I am out of Knoxville TN, where are you

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Saturday, September 13th, 2008 AT 6:10 PM

LTKNT

MECHANIC
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Thanks for the reply kevin12881. I'm based in Sacramento Ca. The lifter noise, well that's what my mechanic told me he thought the tapping was coming from. I don't believe that this has anything to do with my power loss issue. It seems that the hotter the car gets, the more power drops. The accelerator pedle loses repsonse (Have to press it harder than normal to get the car to downshift). Don't believe that the breaks are locking up. Based on my knowledge, I suspect that the problem could simply be that the trans fluid needs to be changed. I will get this done and see if ithe problem gos away.

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Sunday, September 14th, 2008 AT 6:28 PM