Loss of power while driving uphill?

Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 211,000 MILES
A friend's car. He says he notices loss of power going uphill. He tried everything he knows. He even removed the hybrid battery and tested. He is good at that I know. He sent it to me. No engine codes. Engine sounds normal. Full in coolant and oil. No transmission codes, no hybrid codes. I drove it and it drove fine. I tried uphill and it's not that bad but weaker than it should. Feels like it's trying but the response is not where it should be. I am familiar with cars and shudder and transmissions, and that is not it. I feel like the catalytic may be the issue here. I took a lot of live data and few data to help you help me as much as possible. The first o2 sensor on these is right on top. I have the gauge that connects to the o2 sensor hole and I can measure. Should I measure this first one and then the one after the cat you think? Let me know if any of these numbers make sense.
Images & Videos (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 10:45 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yep, that is where I would start, remove the primary oxygen sensor and take a reading under load to see if it is within specs and if so, I would try replacing the MAF sensor which can cause low power without giving a check engine light. Also check the engine air filter. Here is the location so you can check it out. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 1:17 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2,010 POSTS
Will do. If unplugging the MAF sensor solves it would that be an indication?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 1:21 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2,010 POSTS
What about temperatures of cat before and after what they usually around?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 1:22 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2,010 POSTS
I had to hit the gas for it to start since it's a hybrid so it can stay running. I took it for a drive with the o2 out but I had the same weak feeling whether straight or going uphill. Actually, it doesn't look as it should if I am not mistaken. But I want to know for sure if it's cat or fuel pump related. The air filter looks okay. I removed MAF sensor plug and it acted worse. No throttle. I also checked exhaust flow and there was air blowing from muffler.
Images & Videos (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 3:48 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2,010 POSTS
Do I need to raise it up and put it in gear and add more revving or this obvious enough?
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 9:58 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Thanks for the videos, yep, that back pressure is too high. The primary cat looks okay, I would take temp readings at the secondary cat after a drive, that should vary about 100 degrees hotter at the rear of the cat and if not we need to remove it for inspection.

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

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2,010 POSTS
Oh, I didn't know there is another cat.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 10:29 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yep, here is the location.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2,010 POSTS
The one you marked? Why is the o2 sensor on it passes the cat? Isn't it usually before the cat?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 4:47 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2,010 POSTS
Also, what is the part pass that o2 sensor, looks like a cat as well. But I am sure it's not. To the right of the red arrow.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
That is the secondary O2 sensor which monitors the cats performance. You will need to look at the other items to see what they are, if you can upload images I can tell for sure to avoid confusion.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, June 25th, 2024 AT 10:18 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2,010 POSTS
I removed the cat bolts after the 2nd cat and it looks good and clean. Same readings from 1st o2. I did this in the video and it made a difference.
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, June 27th, 2024 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yep, you have a clog somewhere I would remove the exhaust system so you can inspect both ends of the catalytic converters, they can melt at either end. Good job with the exhaust trick, I like it and thanks for the video, please upload what you find.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, June 27th, 2024 AT 11:26 AM

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