I Really Need Your help Guys!

[ram15]

so today i was gonna go get some new tires but after a while i noticed something was odd about my engine. i babied it a little longer until i got to a hill and discovered that it was really down on power. Whats happening is when i need to get on the throttle to pass someone or go up a hill it bogs down and i lose all my power.

 

[Graygoose]

no codes? any recent changes in plugs, wires, fuel pump, etc...maybe collapsed cat?

 

[05singlecabHEMI]

take off your intake and see if there is any oil in it or behind the carb.

 

[ramhunter9]

And get it scanned for codes , even if there is not one showing there will be some stored

 

[ram15]

i haven't checked for codes yet but i will. my cat does have a rattle but im not sure how bad it is. i was also thinkin maybe a fuel filter.

 

[Okiespaniel]

i'll bet your cat is plugged...or the matrix blew out and plugged your muffller.

 

[Hotroder383]

I'm leaning towards plugged cat/muffler. Also watch your temp as this problem can and will over heat your engine if your not carefull!!!!

 

[03MopaRamman]

I beleive x 2 on the plugged cat. stick your hand on the tailpipe and that should give an indication, otherwise a muffler shop can cut in to it for a quick look to see what the honeycombs look like or if they are melted/bunched up like the fellows are saying. Good Luck!

 

[ram15]

is it safe to run it like this for a while or should i just leave it be. it hasn't been getting hot at all.

 

[Hotroder383]

No, not safe at all. The longer you run the more chance you got of screwin somethin up. Your engine builds heat from not being able to get rid of the exhaust, so it starts building heat in an area that was never really meant to get That hot <that hot being a relative term with exhaust> It is fairly easy to check out, as 03Mopa said put your hand over tail pipe should be lots of pressure instantly if it dosent then chance are real good you got problems. If nothin else get a bit of straight pipe and pull the cat off replaceing it with staright pipe. Your truck will through engine codes but if it dont bog down then you found your problem, it it still bogs you can always put cat back on, eaiser if cat is slip jointed on and not welded.

 

[ram15]

I talked to a guy at the local dodge dealership and he said it would be 165 just to see whats wrong, that's ridiculous. he also said that if it was the cat a engine light would come on. i just wanted to double check if that was true cause it hasn't come on yet.

 

[05singlecabHEMI]

nope. a CEL would not come on.

 

[ram15]

has anybody had to replace the cat, how difficult would it be. mines welded in right now but i could probly use clamps if i did it myself.

 

[schroederMP]

My x bro in law had the same thing happen to him...last a lot of power. Had to keep it to the floor just to keep it at 55... it was a plugged cat. Switch that out and you'll be fine.

 

[JET]

Yea my 96 did the same thing. Cat came apart and sounded like metal flapping in the wind. killed the power. Went to a local muffler shop and the replaced it for 250 I believe. Been awhile. Was more expensive because of the configuration of the Cat. 2 n 1 out configuration. Said a 1 n 1 out would have been half the cost.

 

[Hotroder383]

Yep the 2 in 1 one kills the price. You can do it yourself with a good hacksaw <lots o work> or a sawzall. BUT you would probebly want to replace it and not put a straight pipe on it. I mean you still could but you need a collecter to merge the 2 pipes into one. here's one from Summit Catco Catalytic Converters 2513 - Catco Catalytic Converters Universal Catalytic Converters - Overview - SummitRacing.com cheapest one the have =/

 

[ram15]

If its my fuel filter can i just replace it or do i have to replace the whole sending unit.

 

[Hotroder383]

When I search Fuel Filter it says call store, when I search FuelPump/strainer it shows two parts starting at $220 so your best bet would be to call your local auto parts store and ask them. Or if you can get ahold of a Fuel pressure gauge like this Master Fuel Injection Pressure Test Kit You can check it yourself. With out takeing everything apart. You may be able to find an Auto Zone, O'Riellys etc that will loan you one too.

 

[txbass06]

The only fuel filter on our 2nd gens is the strainer on the bottom of the pump in the tank. So to change the filter, you would have to drop the tank.
I'm leaning towards a clogged cat as well. If you want to change the filter first, I would definitely check the fuel pressure before you dropped the tank for nothing

 

[MikesRammin]

If his cat was clogged wouldn't his truck also be alot quieter to? Just a thought.