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Severe loss of engine power- need help

3.5K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  Stealthee  
#1 · (Edited)
Hey guys, recently my car (1997 SL) has lost some serious engine power- not just a few hp, it feels like the car is pulling a trailer, I basically have no acceleration. Theres just no power when accelerating, it takes a long time to get up to speed. Recently my harmonic balancer, or alternator and ac pulley, flew off the car. I had that replaced with a smaller, lightweight aluminium aftermarket one, and since then the car has had basically no acclerating power. I had the timing checked, and apparently it is spot on according to two techs

However Im sure the issue is related to when the pulley came off. Ive been told it could be the crank sensor, because they have been known to be taken out sometimes when a pulley goes, but the car still runs, starts, and idles just fine. Is all that possible even if the crank sensor is bad? Could there be another part damaged from when the pulley came off that im missing? Or maybe because the harmonic balancer is aftermarket now something else is not functioing right, or needs to be reprogrammed?
The cats are fine, fuel pump is fine, all that is surely not the problem. ANY help you have is much appreciated, Im not very mechanically knowledgable with my 3000gt so I really need help because no one seems to be able to solve this problem.
 
#3 ·
You need air, fuel, compression and spark to move your intervals. You obviously have air, you could have too much fuel but nor likely, so maybe you're losing compression or need to change your spark plugs. It's possible the cat is full of carbon.
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the ideas, the engine compression is ok as of today. I already had the cats tested and they're alright, along with the spark plugs. I havent investigated the fuel pump but I dont really suspect that, im sure it has something to do with when the harmonic balancer broke apart no one can figure out what though. Perhaps somehow my sensors are sending back wrong data ? Is that even possible?
 
#7 ·
Tell us. Did it happen all the sudden, or just got a little worse evey day. You also do not have an after market Harmonic balancer. You just have an after market pulley. I don't like em, but that's a different story. I have a feeling you need to pull your fuel filter and try and bloe through it. (use a hose) also could be a vaccum leak between you Mass and throttle body. Unmettered air will make you too lean for power.