Less power after being stuck in traffic (Page 1/2)
TheDigitalAlchemist MAR 23, 11:11 PM
Was out driving today, got stuck in traffic. Temp was around 220, a few times, when I went to accelerate, the car felt “bogged down”. Then something suddenly changed and it was fine again. Smooth acceleration. What would suggest I check out? 1986 V6 Auto.
Dukesterpro MAR 24, 09:43 AM
If its all good now, I wouldn't buy yourself any trouble.

Its hard to diagnose a car that's running right.
sleek fiero MAR 24, 10:18 AM
There is a good chance that your fuel started boiling in the fuel lines and fuel rail. Hazards of a hot day and hot engine compartment. I presume everything returned to normal once you got moving and things cooled down. sleek
82-T/A [At Work] MAR 24, 10:20 AM

quote
Originally posted by sleek fiero:

There is a good chance that your fuel started boiling in the fuel lines and fuel rail. Hazards of a hot day and hot engine compartment. I presume everything returned to normal once you got moving and things cooled down. sleek




Interesting... I knew this was an issue with a lot of carbureted motors back in the day... I wonder if there's something we can do to our fuel lines to help solve this problem?
sleek fiero MAR 24, 12:36 PM
I ended up changing from a 195 degree thermostat to a 180 which helped. then i got a new 3 core aluminum radiator - problem solved. My original 37 year old rad was cruded up with white calcium build up in the tubes. good investment well overdue. I might have done a chemical flush but I think the new rad was a better answer because of the age. Anyway no more problems with vapor locking the fuel system. sleek
theogre MAR 24, 01:18 PM
Coolant seeing 220°F isn't a problem here. nor is 235° when stuck in traffic.

But other things got hotter then normal often because little to no air flow to cool the alt, distributor, etc.
Worse if missing heat shields etc blocking IR from the exhaust or have exhaust leaks.

Once air moves, cools whatever that hate you then drive normal again.
Somethings take longer to get hot and cool down then others. So if problem stops fast then look a small/thin things.

Also see cave ECM Heat as this or sensor(s) can heat up too and to odd crap that can take days to months to find what is pissed off.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

theogre MAR 24, 06:01 PM

quote
Originally posted by sleek fiero:
There is a good chance that your fuel started boiling in the fuel lines and fuel rail. Hazards of a hot day and hot engine compartment. I presume everything returned to normal once you got moving and things cooled down. sleek

Not Happening.

While "Vapor Lock" did happen with Some Carburetor setup, Fuel Injection with Return Line can't do that.
Higher fuel pressure and the regulator dumping excess fuel mean fuel is near impossible to boil passing thru the Fuel Rail or TBI on the engine.
If you get "Vapors" at the Test Ports many Port FI, that does not matter to the injectors.
RWDPLZ MAR 24, 07:18 PM
Start with battery and alternator.
Patrick MAR 24, 08:30 PM

quote
Originally posted by RWDPLZ:

Start with battery and alternator.



Hot engine, stuck in traffic, rad fan and trunk blower kick on, (possibly A/C on as well)... yeah, I can imagine the engine might possibly feel sluggish with the added electrical draw, especially if one or both items in the quote above are questionable.
sleek fiero MAR 25, 10:47 AM
Yes Mr. Ogre, even fuel injection systems can vapor lock under the right heat conditions. Just check online and I'll bet you can find psb's for this especially on older systems. With hot fuel returning constantly to the tank you can loose efficiency of the fuel pump and even fuel pump failure. Older cars like ours had lots of fuel pump failures in the heat of summer and I know you are old enough to remember that. Haha sleek