Lancer- loss of power

[Harrytech]

I have a 2002 Lancer wagon, 1.8lt 4G93T, sometimes the car has no power at all, it can happen any time, one minute it is fine and the next you stop at intersection and when you go to accelerate away it is very flat, almost no throttle, if you push your foot to the floor nothing happens, engine does not pick up speed, and if you throttle off I hear a popping sound like there is pressure releasing, you can do this several times and get the same sound. Then further down the road it sorts itself out.
Weird?, the car is factory stock, no modifications.
Anybody got any ideas?

Cheers Harry

 

[Izso]

Misfiring? Have you checked your spark plugs? Coils?

Or worse, check your engine oil dipstick and see if you see a chocolately mix there. If yes you've got a blown headgasket.

 

[ehdrian]

wat's the boost reading when u WOT?

 

[Harrytech]

Car is stock so does not have a boost gauge, spark plugs are new and correct ones I checked, does not feel like it is misfiring just very low power.
Engine oil looks fine. If i drive like 10km it will do it 5 or 6 times maybe, depends on how many times i stop and start. You dont even have to stop for it to happen just slowing down and then trying to accelerate it can happen.

 

[Izso]

Out of curiousity have you ever changed any of the sensors? It sounds like it might be a sensor problem, probably MAP/MAF.

Oh wait - most basic thing to try, reset ECU. Either by the shop using some OBDII device or unplug the battery for at least an hour and plug it back after that.

 

[DarkAccoon]

I drive a 1998 Putra which uses the 4G93 engine and had the same problems as you.

Symptoms were: At lower range of RPM, there seem to be misfiring and the car jerks. Lost of power and even the air conditioning is not cold at times.

Did many things to try to rectify it which includes:
- Changing my plugs
- overhauling the engine
- change my gearbox oil
- etc.

Ended up, the solution to the problem was a change of plug cables. Apparently mine has degraded and current no longer flow smoothly.

After changing my cables, car power has been restored, no longer jerking and surprisingly..... air-cond is cold.

 

[Harrytech]

Ok Izso, have never heard of reseting the ECU, can it be done by just unplugging the battery for an hour?
As for the faulty spark plug leads my car does not have them, just coil packs, but they are definetly worth checking.

Cheers Harry

 

[Izso]

Ok Izso, have never heard of reseting the ECU, can it be done by just unplugging the battery for an hour?
As for the faulty spark plug leads my car does not have them, just coil packs, but they are definetly worth checking.

Cheers Harry

Personally, I'd rather have a diagnostic tool connected to reset the error codes if any. But some swear by the battery disconnect method and some even suggest to unplug overnight. It supposedly forces the car to relearn everything.

The plug leads is a good idea too

 

[peeche]

4G93T GDI or 4G93T GSR.?

 

[Harrytech]

Engine is a 4G93T GDI 1.8 LTR

 

[Harrytech]

Have purchased 4 used coils, so when they arrive I will let you know if it fixed my problem.
Cheers Harry

 

[Harrytech]

Have fitted the 4 new coils but has made no difference, the engine pinks a little bit sometimes and I can only get 96 octane, when the engines pinks does the anti knock sensor retard the timing and make the engine make less power?. Can I retard the timing by adjusting the crank angle sensor on the exhaust cam, does it have slotted holes so it can be adjusted?. Engine is 4G93T GDI 1.8.
Really want to get rid of the pinking!

 

[vr2turbo]

Personally, I'd rather have a diagnostic tool connected to reset the error codes if any. But some swear by the battery disconnect method and some even suggest to unplug overnight. It supposedly forces the car to relearn everything.

The plug leads is a good idea too

Unplug battery terminal only force the ECU to relearn but cannot reset any fault codes......

 

[Mat Indera]

Harry, How about your car now??