Nightrain

What's up forum? I have a '97 Max SE Auto with 138K miles. I've had the following done since I purchased the car with 108K miles:

NGK Plugs, Air Filter, Oil Change (of course), Transmission Oil Change, PCV Valve, Cleaned Throttle Body, EGR Canister replaced, changed MAF sensor with used part, One Ignition Coil replaced, Fuel Injection Cleaning & new TPS with adjustment.

My car continues to be sluggish during initial acceleration (when I push the accelerator, the car delays before going). There's also lack of power when accelerating while riding. It seems like I have to almost floor the pedal to get a decent boost and even that seems like it's being restricted (VERY FRUSTRATING)!!!! The car was in very good shape when I purchased it but there's something holding my baby back!!!

Any professional advice would be appreciated. I was thinking my MAX may need the following to fix the problem and also as just 138K general maintenance:

1) New Fuel Filter
2) Transmission Oil Flush (not just a change)
3) Coolant Flush (or change...please advise)
4) Fuel Injector(s)???
5) Ignition Coil(s)???
6) Ignition Timing Adjustment???

I really do believe I have a good car and want to experience its true performance, but I need that antibiotic....HELP?

brianw

No engine codes? Checked to make sure the transmission valve body solenoids are all working properly? (not sure how to check this short of finding one unplugged or something)

Sure your butt dyno isn't improperly calibrated?

If one coil went bad the others will eventually go bad too, I would replace the other 5 as well.

Nightrain

No engine codes. I'm just trying to prevent having a million things diagnosed, especially by the local dealership. I'm in the process of developing a check list for my mechanic to try & resolve the problem. He has a MAX himself so hopefully he figure it out.

There are so many knowledgeable people on this forum, I thought to ask here first. Any other opinions? Does it sound more like an Ingition Coil problem or a Fuel Injector problem?

niznos

Are you using 91+ octane gas? The factory ECU programming only likes high octane gasoline. It will run on less, but it trims the performance back to prevent knock.

Nightrain

Actually I used to use 93 octane until gas rose, but I probably need to start back up. I just got a code yesterday P130 (front right O2 sensor). MAY THIS BE THE PROBLEM!!! Wouldn't a dying front O2 sensor effect the fuel/air mix ratio and cause the car to run as I stated initially...sluggish, hesitation & high odor emissions?

niznos

Yes, an O2 sensor would do that. Once the reading from that sensor goes out the ECU's allowed specifications (what it considers normal), it will switch to a default "safe" mode. That means it will operate on the rich side and retard spark timing to prevent knock; MPG and performance will go down hill because of it.

Once you replace that sensor, you will either have to reset the ECU, or just drive and wait for it to reset on its own. Either way, it will take a bit of driving before the ECU relearns the new sensor's readings and get back into the groove. If your car is a daily driver, a couple weeks or a couple tanks of gas later, you should see an improvement.