10 things that can cause an engine to lose power
Today we will be talking about ten main reasons why engines lose power over time. Four major components that help in smooth combustion in any petrol engine are air, fuel, compression, and a spark. All ten reasons for power loss revolve around these four essential components.
Air Filters:
This is a very common problem that causes your engine to lose power. Over time the engine air filter gets clogged with dirt and debris causing pumping loss. Now your engine has to work harder to suck in the required air to maintain the air-fuel ratio. This causes the engine to lose a little bit of power but it is an easy fix. You can simply replace the engine air filter or clean it using compressed air or a blower.
Catalytic Converter:
This is generally included in regular maintenance as even a perfectly maintained car’s catalytic converter gets choked over time. A couple of the main reasons why this happens are dirty fuel or a rich air to fuel mixture. Both of these causes the catalytic converter to get choked. The other reason is exhaust particulates can build up there over time causing a loss of power. When the honeycomb inside the converter gets chocked, it becomes harder for the engine to push the exhaust gases out. You can use catalytic converter cleaners to prolong its life.
Muffler:
The mufflers have the same problem as that of the catalytic converter, they can get clogged up from exhaust particulate buildup reducing and restricting air flow through the exhaust causing pumping losses. Another reason is some mufflers tend to catch rust over time and the internal piping can fall apart because of which they may not work as efficiently.
Fuel Injectors:
With time fuel injectors can also get clogged up. The main reasons for that are using poor fuel, heat soak and also unwanted particulates from the combustion chamber which, if clogged up can cause misfiring and incorrect air to fuel ratio and as a result, you will be making less power. Use fuel injectors cleaners for better performance.
Fuel Pump:
A fuel pump is also one of those things which can fail over time, even if your car is properly maintained. One of the causes is the poor quality fuel which may damage the pump, but that doesn’t happen very often, mostly it eventually fails with high mileage. Failing fuel pumps work normally on low RPM’s but at higher RPM’s the fuel pump can’t supply the amount of fuel required hence engine won’t produce maximum power.
Throttle Cable:
This one only applies to older cars that have physical throttle cables. Over time the cable can easily loosen or stretch because of which you may not be able to open your car’s throttle all the way and if you can’t open your throttle all the way you won’t be making peak power as the engine can’t get the air required. Again, it this is an easy fix.
Spark Plugs:
This is another part that gets worn down over time because of oil, fuel and carbon deposits causing an inconsistent spark which can lead to misfiring, so you need them to be in good shape to make peak power.
Knocking:
As you start to have deposits build on the cylinder walls and on your pistons, these pistons get really hot and can cause knocking. So, if your engine is knocking the first thing the ECU tries to do is push back the ignition timing meaning fire that sparkplug later and if the ECU needs to do that to compensate for the knock you are going to make less power. Engine cleaners might be able to sort out the issue to some extent.
Valve Deposits:
This plays a major role in how much power your engine makes. Mostly in direct injection engines, your intake valves can have deposits because the fuel is sprayed over the intake valve and constantly being cleaned off. This can cause backfiring as the intake valve doesn’t sit properly in that valve seat and the fuel can pass behind the intake valve. This also causes a lack of compression hence your engine loses power over. Try using valve cleaners for maximum performance.
Piston Rings:
Worn down pistons also cause loss of power. Now, almost all other causes of power loss can be addressed easily, but with the case of piston rings wearing down you have to completely dismantle the engine in order to replace them which is basically an engine rebuild. These piston rings start to wear against the wall over time and as they wear you can have loss of compression. To prevent this from happening be sure to change your engine oil regularly.
Now most of these problems are easy to fix or won’t be required if you maintain your car regularly. If you don’t want your engine to lose power then be sure to properly service your car after regular intervals and use genuine products.