Expert help needed w/engine load %

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beaups

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All I've posted here a couple times that my 03 V8 has lost SIGNIFICANT lowend power...namely part throttle response. WOT is "close" to what it used to be but normal driving the car just feels like it's working hard.

Anyhow, it started back when my rack was failing and my P/S pump ran really low several times. when the dealer replaced rack he said p/s pump was fine. Lately the power loss is getting worse. No codes. however, my belt was squeaking a lot (not squealing) so I replaced it. while the belt was off, I rotated all the different pulleys by hand and they all felt normal to me (very little load).

However with the new belt the car sounds like it has a supercharger if you know what I mean. I've suspected the P/S pump was loading the engine a lot. I hooked up a "car chip" logger...mainly used for speed and such but it allows you to track a few basic obd monitors. Anyhow I noticed my "Engine load %" at idle is averaging about 40% whether in park or drive. at cruising it varies but really never drops below 35-40% unless I am coasting. alldata says idel should be 17-19% at idle and 26-50% crusing depending on speed.

What are your thoughts here? dealer is of no help. Can anyone think of another way to diagnose something like this? could something else other than pulleys be causing load to be out of wack? BTW fuel trim, timing advance, etc. all seem to be in line.
 
I had a low power issue on my 04 V8 with only 5000 miles. It ended up being a catalytic convertor breaking apart and clogging up the whole exhaust system. The car felt like it had 25HP.
 
I would re-check the p/s pump. The supercharger sound could be a bearing in the pump. When they run dry or even low damage can occur. If there is damage to the bearings due to excessive heat (low fluid) that could be creating the extra drag on the motor. Check the pump out again I think that is where your problem is. Good luck
 
thanks. problem is I can't figure out a way to "check" it without just replacing it. spinning by hand feels fine but you know you can't really spin it anywhere near as fast as the engine does to get it to "heat up" or bind.
 
Could running the injectors dry have messed them up i know this is so on a diesel? My 2 cents.
 
injectors???? never ran out of gas if that's what you mean.
 
beaups said:
All I've posted here a couple times that my 03 V8 has lost SIGNIFICANT lowend power...namely part throttle response. WOT is "close" to what it used to be but normal driving the car just feels like it's working hard.

Anyhow, it started back when my rack was failing and my P/S pump ran really low several times. when the dealer replaced rack he said p/s pump was fine. Lately the power loss is getting worse. No codes. however, my belt was squeaking a lot (not squealing) so I replaced it. while the belt was off, I rotated all the different pulleys by hand and they all felt normal to me (very little load).

However with the new belt the car sounds like it has a supercharger if you know what I mean. I've suspected the P/S pump was loading the engine a lot. I hooked up a "car chip" logger...mainly used for speed and such but it allows you to track a few basic obd monitors. Anyhow I noticed my "Engine load %" at idle is averaging about 40% whether in park or drive. at cruising it varies but really never drops below 35-40% unless I am coasting. alldata says idel should be 17-19% at idle and 26-50% crusing depending on speed.

What are your thoughts here? dealer is of no help. Can anyone think of another way to diagnose something like this? could something else other than pulleys be causing load to be out of wack? BTW fuel trim, timing advance, etc. all seem to be in line.
Click to expand...

I have seen several posts here about the supercharger type whine after a belt replacement. In those cases the whine went away after the belt seated in.
 
had the whine for about 8000 miles now.
 
beaups said:
had the whine for about 8000 miles now.
Click to expand...

Well, I would guess that we can eliminate break-in as the reason for the belt whine. :) Only things left are bearings, some other mechanical reason or possibly (not likely)a misaligned belt.
 
With the car in park and engine running turn wheel from lock to lock does noise get louder?
 
it only gets louder right at the limits. it goes with engine rpm. gonna eliminate the p/s pump as an issue tomorrow. picked up a new p/s pump today. I'll let you all know and thanks for all the help.
 
The Cobra boys have discovered that Goodyear belts seem to make more noise than Gates or Motorcraft....for what that's worth.
 
well I replaced the P/S pump and that didn't solve the power problem (whining is gone though). Any other takers on what would cause such loss of power and high load on engine????? PS if anyone decides to replace their P/S pump on an LS V8 there's 2 tools you need that the service manual doesn't call for. A small revolver and a single bullet........
 
Just some ideas to check:

1. Fuel Filter
2. Fuel Pressure- My carr had the pump replace due to lack of power, before I owned it.
3.Plugs
4. Cats -expensive replacement
5. TPS
6. throttle cable- easything to look at.

I would start with the fuel system.
 
beaups said:
All I've posted here a couple times that my 03 V8 has lost SIGNIFICANT lowend power...namely part throttle response. WOT is "close" to what it used to be but normal driving the car just feels like it's working hard.

Anyhow, it started back when my rack was failing and my P/S pump ran really low several times. when the dealer replaced rack he said p/s pump was fine. Lately the power loss is getting worse. No codes. however, my belt was squeaking a lot (not squealing) so I replaced it. while the belt was off, I rotated all the different pulleys by hand and they all felt normal to me (very little load).

However with the new belt the car sounds like it has a supercharger if you know what I mean. I've suspected the P/S pump was loading the engine a lot. I hooked up a "car chip" logger...mainly used for speed and such but it allows you to track a few basic obd monitors. Anyhow I noticed my "Engine load %" at idle is averaging about 40% whether in park or drive. at cruising it varies but really never drops below 35-40% unless I am coasting. alldata says idel should be 17-19% at idle and 26-50% crusing depending on speed.

What are your thoughts here? dealer is of no help. Can anyone think of another way to diagnose something like this? could something else other than pulleys be causing load to be out of wack? BTW fuel trim, timing advance, etc. all seem to be in line.
Click to expand...
Beaups,

I had a problem with my electonic throttle control on my 03, 3.9 at just over 7000 mi. At times it just would not GO! Sorta limped along then it the car went into limp mode and the CEL came on. Dealer called Ford cause no code came with the CEL. Ford concluded that the potentiometer was the problem. So, that was replaced along with the TP sensor and the PCM was reprogramed. Goes like ademon now! Lincolnlov
 
thanks guys. 1.) it's not the throttle cable since I don't have 1. 2.) It goes 90% under WOT - it's part throttle and low rpm full throttle that it struggles. Replaced fuel filter. think is engine load from obd 2 is very high so I think that should help? Thinking cats "could" be a possibility except I think it would be much worse under WOT. Also think fuel pressure would throw code? thanks all.
 
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