Car has no power and seems to run lean, possible timing issue?

Tiny
V84U2NV
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  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 110,000 MILES
Fuel pressure never drops below 50lbs, no restriction in exhaust system although seems white inside as if its running lean. Compression averages 160-180 psi. Plugs again look to be chualky white (lean). Have changed MAF, replaces air and fuel filters w/new, new Ign mod, new egr, upper plenum and intake gaskets, no leaks there as well as no blockages to egr port, all clean. Only code it gives is an EGR code. Car makes no power to climb hills or accelerate, PLEASE HELP! I have had no luck tryin to figure this one out, Thank you =)
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Sunday, September 16th, 2012 AT 8:55 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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What is the back pressure reading for the cat converter. It can look good but still can be bad

Roy
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Sunday, September 16th, 2012 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
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There is less than 3 lbs, but I have even gone as far as to completely unbolt cat conv, from car and still same results
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Sunday, September 16th, 2012 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
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Really? Thats it? No other replies?
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Sunday, September 16th, 2012 AT 9:08 PM
Tiny
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Forgot to mention, replaced PCM as well, still the same. Also after takin car back out again, now have code P0404 present, replaced EGR. Cleared codes and comes back.
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Sunday, September 16th, 2012 AT 10:20 PM
Tiny
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Did you check to make sure the egr passage going into the intake was clear?

Do you have acess to a scanner to check fuel trims?
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Monday, September 17th, 2012 AT 2:22 AM
Tiny
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Did you check the fuel pressure? It needs to be around 4 lbs.

3 psi back pressure is a lot. Was it any better without the cat?

Roy
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Monday, September 17th, 2012 AT 2:16 PM
Tiny
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Yes, I have checked egr passage going into intake, absolutley clean. I have access to Solus scan tool. I checked fuel pressure at idle as well as driving down the road, never drops below 50 psi. 4 lbs, I think you are mistaken, and 3 lbs and below of back presure I was told is acceptible. There was no change even when I unbolted the cat conv. From the car.
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Monday, September 17th, 2012 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
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Did you check the compression? It needs to be above 120 and even.

The only other thing I can think is fuel integrity.
Wondering if there is some bad fuel that may have contaminated the injectors.

Roy
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Tuesday, September 18th, 2012 AT 12:56 AM
Tiny
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Hi Roy, it does state that I did do a compression test. It is well above 120 psi. As far as bad fuel comtaminating the injectors I find unlikely due to the fact that the engine only faults when under a load ie: climbing a hill or accelrating. If the fuel was bad or inj. Were containated logic would dictate that it would do this in all instances. I do believe it is a fuel delivery issue, as stated, seems to be lean on spark plugs and exhaust only under a load like its loosing signal to the injectors. What do you think about the re-occuring P0404 code? The only clue I have. Has to do with the EGR circut, but that was replaced and all passages were clear and clean.
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Tuesday, September 18th, 2012 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
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Did the 404 return?

My gut is at 2 thingd here. The injectors may need to be cleaned, not with additive but with direct injection.

The other is the cat. I know you said other guys said 3 lbs is ok. It has never been ok with me as anything above 1 to 1.5 is not acceptable in my world.

Try the cleaning first.

Roy
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Tuesday, September 18th, 2012 AT 5:53 PM
Tiny
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Yes 404 code ruturned, but like I said before I have unbolted the cat conv. From the exhaust manifold. 0 restriction and still there was no change.
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Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 AT 12:02 AM
Tiny
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Ok, that leaves the injectors for checking.

The other possibility is the timing chain is slacked and retarded the timing but I have only replaced 1 of these chains in the 40 plus years of my career.

Roy
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Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 AT 1:01 AM

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