Engine low power

Tiny
BILLY_B0Y
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 HOLDEN COMMODORE
  • 3.6L
  • V6
  • RWD
  • MANUAL
  • 140,000 MILES
I have only had the car for a year now and suddenly its running rough with loss of 75% power. I took it to holden and my personal mechanic and neither mechanic could diagnose the problem. Holdens report said that my left hand bank were all misfiring. All compression tests came out ok @ 140 psi. I had the ecu swapped over, coil packs swapped over, spark plugs replaced, injectors cleaned, but problem persisted. O2 sensors were checked and found not a problem either. I have searched through every source I could think of and I cant find a possible answer.
Sunday, March 16th, 2014 AT 2:44 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
It sounds like you have a MAF sensor that needs to be replaced because when they go bad they may not give a code here is guide to help us.see for sure.

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, March 16th, 2014 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
BILLY_B0Y
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Could it also be the fuel pump or regulators resulting in poor fuel mixture?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 19th, 2014 AT 12:12 AM
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
It could yes. But generally, if you have poor fuel mixture will have misfires on all cylinders not just one side. You've already swapped over the coil packs and replaced the spark plugs and you still have a lean condition on one-side of the engine.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 19th, 2014 AT 3:23 AM
Tiny
BILLY_B0Y
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
All the hoses on that side of the motor appear to be fine and not worn only hose that seems to have a lot of wear is the hose connecting to the throttle body it is worn and cracked a little bit don't think it could cause a vacuum leak?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 20th, 2014 AT 12:42 AM
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
If the hose is connected to the throttle body and is cracked or worn it can cause unmetered air to throw off the fuel air mixture causing running problems
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 20th, 2014 AT 5:45 AM
Tiny
NUMBER3
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had this problem and the MAF sensor fixed it cost me $121.00 all fixed I love this site.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 15th, 2014 AT 5:15 AM
Tiny
DANNY1979
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had a fuel injector clogged caused the problem for me #3 cylinder.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, November 11th, 2015 AT 1:15 AM
Tiny
POTODDSPK67
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 HOLDEN COMMODORE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Drove car with low fuel in tank for months. Working fine then at traffic lights car started running rough engine almost stalling and shaky with poor responce when foot on excellorator low power. Worked fine next day for 5 mins then did same thing. Garaged vehicle next day started car up running rough with moisture/water coming out exhaust pipe? Could be injectors but im not very mechanically minded at all can someone please help ! Thanx.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Change the fuel filter, check fuel pump flow & pressure and have a head check done this is a cheap and quick test for Co in the cooling system, if so this will be a head gasket, are you using any coolant?

Mark (mhpautos)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
POTODDSPK67
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
GDay and thankyou for the advice. I think I have coolant in my radiator the water is fluro green. MY exhaust has no white or blue smoke coming out just a dribble of water every now and then. I also noticed I have a almost faulty battery terminal connector to the positive on my battery which is loose and I can not tighten onto battery properly. I have had to pop the bonnet a few times in past and jiggle the lead on the terminal and then it starts but most times starts str8 away. Thanx again for advice hope it helps get my beloved vs ute back on the raod. Cheers Great site btw will tell my friends.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2000 HOLDEN COMMODORE
Over the last couple of days everytime I use my windshield wipers. The car starts to lose power and then proceeds to shut everything down (power steering, ignition etc). If I turn it off then restart it. It turns over. What gives
?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Check that the loon down the steering column is not damaged and causing a short with the electrics, also check for any codes in the ECU, start here.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MEL22
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 HOLDEN COMMODORE
  • 156,000 MILES
I have a vt commodore it has only done 156000 klms when I drive 80klms or higher it revs really high about 3200 revs and I lose power and get a burning smell from the car. Local driving it is fine its only when I go over the 80klms or higher it does this please help if you can I have 4 kids and am worried it might blow up on me.I had a auto service a year ago they said the auto will need repairring but not for a while. It has been driven by previous owners with a heavy trailer and they didnt use the right gears to tow. My transmission oil is a dark colour too. Thankyou melissa
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
I would get the transmission serviced, it sounds as if it is starting to slip the clutch packs, there is no adjustment with these transmissions, the dark oil is a sign of the transmission is slipping causing the oil to burn.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1999 HOLDEN COMMODORE
  • 183,000 MILES
I have a 1999 vt holden commodore wagon which does not accelerate it jerks when accelerating and it feels like its not dropping gears when accelerating up hills. Usually on the flat it drives ok. Have you got any suggestions on what it could be because I am sick of paying thousands of dollars for mechanics to not fix the problem. I use roughly a full tank of fuel every 70klm's
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure.
i am also including walk through diagnostic that will cover other possiblities. Just use the link below to get to it;

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HOLDEN1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1992 HOLDEN COMMODORE
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 20,000 MILES
Hi my Vp holden has loss of power, and is very guttless, what is the cause of this and why? I have put in new sparks and leads, changed the filters, ummm there's a funny sound too? Like a tapping sound every time a put my foot down on acclarator? Help please. Could dat be the manifold, Oh I dnt no?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Get a compression test done, check that you have not got a lead crossed and check that the vacuum hoses are all installed start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:30 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Low Power Content

Fix an Engine with Low Power!
VIDEO
Fix an Engine with Low Power!
Instructional repair video
Symptoms of Low Engine Power
GUIDE
Symptoms of Low Engine Power
The power your car's engine is producing is important. When you step on the gas you need your car to accelerate, mainly to keep you out of trouble when getting onto the...
VIEW MORE