Low engine power

Tiny
BRIECETO
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I have been having issues with my car for months now. The first time this problem occurred I was out running errands and went to speed up to pass someone. When accelerating the car basically lost power and my speed started to decrease, even when the gas pedal was still pushed, and the engine light came on. Had it taken into my local mechanic shop because I had just got some things taken care of previously that month. I was told that the engine code was to do with the cam sensor, which they had just previously replaced earlier that month. They go ahead and replace it with a new sensor. Couple weeks later the same problem happens yet again engine light and deceleration of speed. Brought it straight back to the mechanic and yet again the the engine code indicated a cam sensor malfunction. So they replaced the senor again and claimed they worked on getting the sensor grounded again correctly. Now again a couple week later the same issue happens again this time on the highway. The car simply just seems to give up engine power, the engine light appears and decelerates down to 20 MPH. At this point I am annoyed! I bring the car back to the same mechanic because hell if they do not fix the problem that they caused in the first place. I am again told it was another cam sensor error and this time they opted to put in another cam sensor this time ‘specialized’, not made by Honda, and supposedly this new cam sensor has something to do with O2 (sorry not car smart). I have a trip coming up for Thanksgiving but not sure I can trust my car to make the journey with me.

Does this make sense to anyone else? Because from my perspective (not knowing cars) why keep looking at the same issue if fixing it in the past has not helped?

Any suggestions on what the problem may be caused from? The mechanic seems convinced it is the cam sensor malfunctioning again.
Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 1:23 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The loss of power can come from many things.

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

The first thing is the cat converter. If it gets clogged internally, it will not allow the engine to breathe correctly and result in a loss of power.

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

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

The other possibility is the fuel pump. If the pressure drops when it gets hot, it will result in a loss of power. Fuel Pressure at idle .................... 270 - 320 kPa (2.8 - 3.3 kgf/sq.cm, 40 - 47 psi)

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

I attached the procedures for you below.

Roy

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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 1:54 PM

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