Low Engine Power & Bucking/Hestitating

[hacknfrack]

Yes, bucking, as in what happens when riding a bull.

I've been having a problem with my car where around the 35/40 mph range and higher, it will hestitate in the middle of acceleration (and sometimes - though less frequently - when cruising). This has also been accompanied by a loss of power. My car ('90 base model) used to accelerate just fine up hills and on the highway in 4th gear. Now it has to shift down to 3rd or sometimes even 2nd to get the same power.

After this first happened (about a year ago) I was told it was the ignition coil and module and those were replaced. All was fine for about a year. After it started happening again, the coils checked out and so the EGR valve was replaced. I knew about an existing Code 32, so I figured there was a problem and an emissions system problem could cause my symptoms.

About 2 weeks later, same problems came back. This time the crankshaft position sensor was replaced. Due to a starting issue, I knew thi was bad and just hadn't gotten around to replacing it myself. Again, a timing problem could cause my symptoms. Additionally, spark plug #4 was out of whack on the shop's tests and they replaced it (all 4 plugs and wires had been replaced a year ago).

Now, about a week later, my car is start down the same path.  Right now it mainly just lacks power, but there is some slight hestitation that I can notice.

This whole time I (having driven this car for 10 years) have been able to detect a very subtle problem - completely undetectable to someone not very familiar with the driving traits of my car. It's been steadily descending towards returning to mechanical bull status, however, where any grease monkey will notice something is amiss.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Is this by chance, a problem with the fuel filter, or some other inexpensive repair?

Thanks.

[rweatherford]

Does #4 plug look bad again?  You don't mention which engine, etc...

Take a look at the plugs and let us know what you find.  Note the color, condition, etc...

Pictures are worth a 1000 words....

[hacknfrack]

Sorry.  The engine is a 2.2L 4-cylinder.  The car is a 1990 base model.  I'll take a look at the plugs and see if I can get some pictures.

[Mr Goodwrench]

with 2.2 motors are pinned for having bad head-gaskets.  hows the oil an coolent??? any leaks or seepage around the head??
What a bought a major tune up? plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, injector cleaning, thingh like that??

sounds  like a fuel or Ing probs..


Mr Goodwrench

[hacknfrack]

New plugs and wires about a year ago.  Injector cleaning about 2 weeks ago.  Just put in a K&N air filter.  No oil leaks )also just changed 2 weeks ago).  Collant level is fine.  Over the summer it would get low, but I couldn't ever find a leak.  Recently, though, it hasn't been low.  No visible leaks around the head gasket, though I can try to be more contentious about looking.

[Mr Goodwrench]

ever replaced the fuel pump??

Mr Goodwrench

[hacknfrack]

I haven't in my 10 years of ownership of this car.  According to my records, the last fuel filter replacement was in 2001, 80K miles ago.  I doubt the previous owner did it, either.

[Mr Goodwrench]

Even a few psi loss in fuel pressure will cause poor performance.  ive seen a buick 3.8 with 51psi miss and stall at higher rpm..  but run around the city an idle all day..  factory recomend is 55 to 58psi

Mr Goodwrench

by the way it was running a little hot because of the lean fuel ratio

[hacknfrack]

Do you (or does anyone) happen to know the correct fuel PSI for a '90 Beretta 2.2L - or can someone point me in the direction to finding it?  About a year ago (which doesn't necessarily mean anything) the fuel systems tested at 44 PSI.  Just curious if this is within tolerance.

I'm going to flush the coolant (because it could stand to be flushed) and put in a bottle of head gasket repair (because why not) and I'm probably going to go get the fuel filter replaced.  Just curious if I should get the fuel pump replaced while I'm at it.  To my knowledge, it hasn't been replaced in the 16 years of the car's life.  I might do it just because.

Thanks.

[Jeff P]

I thought the I4 engines ran at a much lower psi than the Quad and V6.  Not sure what pressure from the pump should be, but the regulator keeps it between 9 and 13 psi.