Slow/fluctuating acceleration?

Tiny
KCM805
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 210,000 MILES
2002 Pontiac Grand Am, 3400 V6. Aside from basic maintenance and a blown head gasket 60,000 miles ago the car has been great. In the past 6 months though, the car has felt very sluggish, below 2,000 RPMs, 2,000-3,000 RPMs uneven acceleration kind of comes and goes i.e. slow between 2,200-2,300 then a slight burst 2,300-2,500 then slow again with consistent gas pedal application. 3000-4000 pulls like it used to and consistent. 4,000 and above very slow but consistent, can be floored but RPMs are slow to rise.

It always starts immediately, idles fine, and still accelerates normal between 3-4,000 RPMs so unlikely fuel related. Same argument for a potential transmission issue, its perfect between 3,000-4,000 where it's making the most power so you would think that's where it would slip if that was the problem. Also checked vacuum at idle and at 3,500 RPMs in park and it doesn't seem to indicate a clogged cat or vacuum leak.

-1-year-old primary o2 sensor
-Checked and cleaned throttle body
-Ran few cans of fuel system cleaner though it
-New air filter
-Checked fuel pressure ~55psi at all RPMs in park
-Replaced the MAF
-Replaced spark plugs - the old ones had 100,000 on them. looked fine but one cylinder did have some light deposits vs nothing on the others
- New TPS - Old one that came off was very loose where it attaches to the throttle body.

I guess the only thing that has not been replaced is the IAC or EGR. Would those affect only certain RPM ranges though? No codes. Happens all the time hot or cold engine. Happens in all gears but most noticeable in 2nd.

Got the issue on video. You can hear the uneven engine sounds and surges are much more obvious at end of the video near 3,000 RPMs. I am maintaining a constant ~50% throttle up a hill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCxymyszTH4

Any advice would be appreciated.
Sunday, February 5th, 2023 AT 10:50 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,949 POSTS
Yep, thanks for the video this will be either a clogged fuel filter or catalytic converter. I would go with the fuel filter first since it is a normal service item. here is a generic guide to help walk you through the steps and the instructions and location of the fuel filter in the images below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-a-fuel-filter

This guide helps as well:

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

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, February 6th, 2023 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
KCM805
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  • 3 POSTS
Tested the catalytic converter. Inlet temperature 300 degrees, outlet 400 degrees. Tested engine vacuum as well 20" at idle and at any rpm (up to limiter of 3,500 in park) held for 30 seconds and no change. Also drove it around with the gage hooked up and it did not slowly rise or anything to indicate a clogged cat. Temperatures also indicate cat is not clogged.

Didn't have time to do anything with the fuel filter today but yesterday I tested the pressure. Held 55 PSI at all RPMs. I get my issue is under load and using more fuel but I don't know if it's the problem because why would RPMs be smooth and consistent at 3000+ RPMs?

What about the coils? I read that they can cause the hesitations and I have replaced or validated pretty much all other air/ignition/fuel components. Though it's still hard for me to buy it only happening between 2,000-3,000 RPMs and nowhere else.
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Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 AT 6:35 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 42,949 POSTS
Did you replace the spark plugs because the incorrect gap can cause low power. Also with the fuel pressure, it could drop off once under load when the volume increases, and it is normal service item so I would swap that out. I don't think it is the coils because the engine is not misfiring. I don't think it is the EGR or IAC. The catalytic converter numbers look good. Let me know after you change the fuel filter.
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Thursday, February 9th, 2023 AT 9:34 AM
Tiny
KCM805
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Just in case anyone else has a similar problem and finds this I figured it out. It was a mostly clogged catalytic converter. It passed the engine vacuum and cat temperature test but when I loosened the exhaust system at the manifold and went for a drive the problem completely went away. Replaced and car drives great, and engine feels like it has twice the power as before. I would have never thought this would have been the case based on the symptoms and prior test results.
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Friday, February 17th, 2023 AT 8:47 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,949 POSTS
Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Saturday, February 18th, 2023 AT 7:13 PM

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