As a rule, during the long-term operation of a vehicle, almost every driver sooner or later notices that the engine pulls poorly. In other words, the power unit can hardly cope with the loads, there is a loss, the unit needs to be rotated to high revs to maintain the usual pace, the car accelerates worse from a standstill, slowly picks up speed, etc.
Moreover, the motor in many cases runs smoothly, does not troit, no knocking or noise during operation. Immediately, we note that there is a fairly wide list of possible reasons why a warm engine does not pull, there is a loss of engine power when cold and / or hot.
In this article we will talk about why the engine does not pull, and also consider the most common malfunctions that manifest themselves in the form of loss of thrust of the power unit.
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The motor does not pull: the main reasons for the decrease in engine power
So, if no other symptoms, besides the loss of traction, are found, then it is immediately necessary to pay attention to the quality of the fuel, the serviceability of the system, etc.
- As practice shows, more than half of the cases of reduced recoil from the internal combustion engine are associated with fuel. The engine does not pull due to the fact that low-quality or unsuitable fuel for this type of engine may be filled into the tank (for example, 92nd gasoline instead of 95th).
In some cases, after refueling, problems with starting the engine may also arise, the engine appears. To solve this problem, it may be sufficient to dilute the available fuel with a higher quality. Less often, it becomes necessary to completely drain the fuel from the tank, after which an additional flushing of the power system is performed.
Usually, such manipulations are necessary when, in parallel with the loss of thrust, an unstable operation of the internal combustion engine is noted, and under load, the engine starts poorly, on the panel, etc.
Also, owners of gasoline engines can independently determine the quality of gasoline. To check the spark plugs must be unscrewed from the engine. Violation of the combustion process of the fuel-air mixture in the cylinders, as well as the presence of impurities in the fuel, can be detected by the soot on the spark plugs and its color.
For example, if the fuel contains many third-party metal-containing additives and additives, then the skirt and electrodes may become covered with reddish carbon deposits (brick-colored). Black soot will indicate that the fuel is not burning properly, etc. In any case, malfunctions in the combustion process of the working mixture lead to the fact that the engine stops pulling.
- The next step in diagnosis is. A decrease in the efficiency of these elements is also accompanied by a drop in the power of the power unit.
This is especially noticeable during sharp accelerations, and when the car is already moving at high speed. In other words, the motor has no "headroom" for further acceleration.
The candles can be dirty, and it should not be ruled out that their resource has come to an end. To fix this problem, you can make or immediately replace the entire kit with a new one.
It is important to take into account that if the new spark plugs are correctly selected for a specific engine in terms of the heat rating and other parameters, but they still quickly become dirty, then the reason for the loss of thrust is not in them. Carbon deposits in this case indicate problems with mixture formation or combustion of the fuel charge in the cylinders.
- If everything is in order with the candles, then it is necessary to check the condition of the fuel and air filter. In the first case, insufficient throughput can lead to the fact that the required amount of fuel is not supplied to the cylinders to prepare the so-called "power" mixture.
As a result, the engine loses power, that is, it does not pull under loads. In such a situation, it is sufficient to replace the indicated filter element. As for the air filter, the problem is similar to the fuel filter, but in this case there is a lack of air in the air / fuel mixture.
This leads to the fact that fuel without a sufficient amount of oxygen burns out incompletely. Engine power in such conditions naturally drops, carbon deposits form in the combustion chamber, candles become heavily soiled, etc. It also needs to be replaced to fix the problem.
Malfunctions of the power supply system, ignition and disturbed mixture formation
While spark plug and filter problems can be identified on the road, more serious power and ignition problems are much more difficult to diagnose and fix on the spot. In cases where the engine does not pick up speed, and jerks and dips are noted when pressing the gas pedal, it is necessary to check and or the injector.
Let's focus on the more common electronic injection. In the list of the main malfunctions of modern injection internal combustion engines, there are:
- malfunctions, reduced performance or contamination of the fuel pump mesh filter;
- malfunctions of injection nozzles;
- problems with sensors or ECU;
- malfunctions of the ignition system;
- air leaks and leaks in the fuel lines;
If we talk about the ignition system, in addition to the spark plugs, you should also check the ignition coils, etc. With regard to fuel delivery, at the initial stage, the pressure in the fuel rail (rail) should be measured. In parallel, the fuel rail pressure regulator is also checked.
Often, on many cars, problems are associated with the fuel pump, which is located in the gas tank, as well as with the specified regulator. To measure the fuel pressure, a pressure gauge is connected to the rail, the obtained values are compared with those recommended for a particular engine. If the pressure is below normal, then both the gas pump and the pressure regulator may be the culprit.
The regulator's task is to discharge excess fuel into the return line at a time when the pressure is above normal. If the settings are lost or the regulator itself leaks or is faulty, then the fuel will be discharged into the return line ahead of time. To check this, air is pumped in by a compressor or pump, the pressure in the rail increases. If the regulator is triggered before the recommended pressure, the element needs to be adjusted or replaced.
Other causes of reduced engine output
The condition of the motor also has a great influence on the power of the motor. The fact is that to protect the environment from harmful emissions during the operation of the internal combustion engine, catalytic converters are installed in the exhaust.
During operation, the filter catalyst may collapse, reducing the throughput of the exhaust system. As a result, the engine is "suffocated". The check is carried out by measuring the pressure before and after the catalyst. You can also remove the element and inspect its condition visually.
As a rule, official services offer to replace a worn-out element, but the price of a spare part is very high. For this reason, on many cars in the CIS, the catalyst is simply knocked out, and the control unit is “cheated” by software or other available methods.
Also, with a decrease in engine power, it is necessary to separately check it to exclude the possibility of a valve timing failure. Sometimes there are situations when the belt can jump by one tooth, the chain is stretched, etc.
In this case, the synchronous operation of the valve mechanism in relation to the strokes of the internal combustion engine may be violated. This leads to various failures, unstable operation of the unit and a decrease in power.
We also add that engine wear and certain malfunctions also affect engine power. As a rule, worn-out, used internal combustion engines usually lose about 10% of the declared power.
If the driver feels that there are more losses, then the engine is needed. Low compression in the cylinders can occur as a result of wear of the cylinder walls, piston rings, or incomplete closure, etc.
One way or another, any leaks in the combustion chamber will lead to the fact that the expanding gases during the combustion of the fuel will burst out of the cylinder. This means that the pressure of these gases on the piston will decrease, and the ICE itself will pull poorly and work unstably.
Finally, we note that also the reason that the car lost in dynamics may not be the engine, but the transmission. In other words, the powertrain develops enough power, but it is not fully transferred to the wheels.
This usually manifests itself in such a way that the engine roars, rpm is high, but the car does not move, or acceleration is very slow in low gears. Often such problems are associated with the clutch or slippage of the automatic transmission, as well as with the wedging of the brake system. To check the brakes, it is enough to accelerate the car on a flat road, then engage in neutral gear.
If, when coasting, it is noticeable that the car immediately began to slow down, then the problem is obvious, the wheels are slightly blocked. If no problems with the brakes have been identified, then automatic transmission diagnostics is necessary. It is better to entrust the specified procedure to experienced specialists by delivering the car to the service.
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Purpose, design features, place of installation of the fuel pressure regulator of the injection engine. Signs of RTD malfunctions, device check.
If the car does not show its former power and traction, you will not get any pleasure from the trip. Moreover, often the consumption of gasoline or diesel fuel increases, the risk of failure of any units increases. The owner of the car intuitively understands that something is wrong with the design of the vehicle. Therefore, there is a desire to check the car, find the cause of the flaw and get specific solutions to the problem. Today we will talk about why the car does not pull, as well as what to do in such situations, where you should first look. If you are faced with such a problem suddenly, it is worthwhile to quickly diagnose the main components of the machine, determine the problem and eliminate the cause of the loss of power. If the problem has been present for a long time, it's time to stop by the service station and resolve this issue.
If you drive for a long time with most of the problems that cause loss of traction, you can completely ruin the power unit and get the need for expensive repairs. So we strongly recommend that you immediately pay attention to a noticeable loss of engine power or a real feeling that someone is holding you by the exhaust pipe and does not allow you to accelerate. The longer you think that this will pass over time, the more damage you can do to your car. This will ultimately lead to overly expensive repairs. Let's consider the main reasons for this phenomenon.
Stop driving on the handbrake, and the traction will appear on its own.
If you always put the car on the handbrake, but forget to remove it while driving, prepare yourself for impaired traction. When driving on the handbrake, it seems that the car accelerates very slowly, it is too difficult to gain momentum. The driver immediately sins on the engine, presses on the suspension or gearbox. But he cannot even think that it is enough to lower the handbrake lever for the problem to be solved by itself. Moreover, driving on the handbrake for a long enough time will cause the following troubles with the car:
- rear brake discs (or drums, depending on the design of the car) get too hot;
- heating sometimes causes deformation or excessive wear of these parts with various consequences;
- wear in any case will be very high and will become the reason for the obligatory replacement of pads and discs after 100 kilometers of such a trip;
- the drum brake can even fly apart in the process of movement, reducing the safety of the trip;
- heat and excessive friction can cause damage to some parts of the undercarriage;
- the braking system may also experience other problems that require immediate resolution.
These are the troubles awaiting you in the event that you simply forget to put the handbrake lever in its original position before starting to move. If you have a manual transmission, it becomes even more difficult to keep track of the handbrake. On the machine, it is enough not to accelerate from the first second, but to let the car show readiness for a trip, to let it get under way at idle speed. In the event that you regularly leave the handbrake on, just stop putting the car on the handbrake. Leave it in gear, choose more or less level parking spots.
Checking the most common causes of reduced thrust
Decreased engine power can also be caused by other problems. For example, if you carried out your own re-equipment of the main units and parts of the machine, you can be sure that the thrust will decrease. It is also worth paying attention to the frequency of service and the quality of the purchased fuel. If you haven't changed the oil in your car for several years or tens of thousands of kilometers, the wear of engine parts will be incredible. You will have to rebuild the unit, and the loss of traction means that you have very little time left for repair and maintenance work. The main reasons for the loss of thrust are as follows:
- bad fuel - if the gasoline is terrible, it simply does not burn out completely and does not give the required power;
- poor quality and poor frequency of engine maintenance, which caused wear of the main parts;
- increased wear of the piston group, poor engine efficiency and loss of power due to natural processes;
- depressurization of one of the cylinders, low compression due to large gaps between the parts;
- failure of the electrical system, candles, wires and sensors, failure of one or two cylinders;
- switching to alternative fuels, including gas, which naturally reduces the efficiency of the unit;
- installation of wheels of significantly larger diameter than those installed at the factory and replacement of other important parts of the machine;
- overhaul of the engine using analog spare parts.
All of these processes cause a decrease in cravings, which is the main indicator that you need to do something quickly. Otherwise, you will have to look for how to sell a not quite working car and how to buy a more or less normal car for the money raised. It is better not to bring it to this and at the first appearance of problems with craving, return life to your iron horse. Loss of engine power should serve as an indicator that action needs to be taken.
Why is it better to solve the problem with traction at the service station?
Of course, if poor traction is due to a forgotten handbrake or bad fuel, no service will help you. Unless, it is necessary to eliminate the problems of increased wear of the brake discs. In other cases, it is better to immediately contact the service station and not experiment with independent repair options. So you can restore your car in a short time, you do not have to check possible theories of damage. In this case, the main benefits of service for professionals will be the following:
- specialists will find the cause of the problem and will be able to completely restore normal operation;
- the service will recommend you to change your driving habits so that you do not get into such a situation in the future;
- the company will purchase all spare parts on its own, which reduces the risk of purchasing a low-quality part;
- diagnostics will show the exact node that is worth repairing, which can often save you money;
- the repair will be professional, you will be given a guarantee for the serviceability of the repaired unit.
These are important advantages of car maintenance by specialists, therefore it is better not to neglect them and get maximum comfort in operating your car. Often you will have to overpay for expensive services of professionals, but this overpayment will certainly pay off. After completing repairs at a good station, you don't have to worry about possible recurring traction problems. Nevertheless, the health of the car in most cases depends precisely on the driver's behavior and habits on the road. Therefore, if a certain problem constantly arises in your car, just change your driving style. If you have a domestic car, you can watch the following video with a description of possible problems in case of loss of car traction:
Summing up
Given the rather complex system of construction of a modern car, the loss of traction may not be felt so much or even not be felt at all in daily operation. But this is a serious indicator that it is time to carry out a certain set of repair work. Therefore, it is better to listen to the car and try to determine its real problems. If a loss of power has been noticed, it is best to immediately go to the service station and fix the problem. This is the only way you can avoid serious damage with quite costly consequences.
If your car's power has long since become addicted, do not think that this is a natural aging process of the car. Better to set a goal and eliminate all possible causes of this problem. However, power loss can indeed be a natural process. Overhauls, replacement of original parts with analog and other usual processes for the car owner are a real problem for the operation of the unit. Tell me, have you encountered a sharp loss of power in your car, and how was it decided to deal with this problem?
In general, the engine can stop pulling for a variety of reasons - this is one of the most common malfunctions, which can have a huge variety of reasons, and below we will consider the most likely ones, describe their symptoms and investigate this issue in detail. Indeed, one day something can happen to each of us that the engine will lose power, without being accompanied by any more symptoms. The engine probably does not show any clear signs of any illness, it seems to be almost in perfect order and does not emit any unusual noises and vibrations, but at the same time it simply does not pull as well as it usually does. And the problem seems to be getting worse and worse every day, although you probably didn't even notice when the motor first began to pull worse.
If you are familiar with this situation, then let's consider the following reasons for reducing the thrust of the motor:
Low-quality fuel
First of all, you need to blame the fuel - remember where you last refueled - perhaps this is a new gas station or one with which you previously did not have driving experience. It is quite possible that the fuel just turned out to be of very poor quality (it happens so much that you are just lucky if your engine just stops pulling - after all, someone's engine will probably stop starting altogether until the owner completely replaces the fuel in the tank).
If you refuel at the gas station where you usually do, and nothing arouses suspicion, go to local communities on social networks, a car club in your region / district or just a city portal - perhaps the gas station simply had a bad delivery of fuel.
However, most often, coupled with a loss of thrust, the incompatibility of the engine with such low-quality fuel has other symptoms - for example, instability of engine speed, difficulty starting and some others, depending on how bad the fuel was and on the car model.
But it is most likely to determine the poor quality of gasoline yourself by unscrewing the candles from the engine (this will require a special spark plug wrench) - in general, candles can often be used as a primary diagnostic method for certain malfunctions in the engine combustion chamber, since they are the ones who most closely cooperate with this combustion chamber and at the same time are quick-detachable. If the fuel contains a large amount of metal-based additives, then the contacts of the candle and the "skirt" of the central diode will have a reddish coating (as if a red brick had been crumbled into a candle).
Dirty air filter
Your air filter may also just get dirty, and in this case, eliminating the loss of power will cost you, perhaps, cheaper than all other options - just replace the air filter - you can either buy it yourself or replace it yourself.
The problem with a dirty air filter is that the air-fuel mixture that enters the combustion chamber of your engine's cylinders does not get enough air there, and therefore the fuel does not burn completely, because it needs a sufficient amount of oxygen to burn it. It turns out a situation similar to a person's runny nose - he seems to eat enough and leads a healthy lifestyle, but at certain moments of his life (during an illness with this runny nose), clogged nasal passages do not allow breathing normally.
Dirty or old spark plugs
Spark plugs may well be dirty or excessively worn, in which case if the engine is not pulling due to them, it is also a relatively inexpensive option for troubleshooting - just clean the plugs or replace them. However, it should be borne in mind that both periodic pollution and wear of spark plugs are abnormal, and the reason for this lies, most likely, somewhere deeper, or in the spark plugs themselves.
Dirty fuel filter
The fuel filter, like the air filter, can cause a loss of engine power. And the physics of the process here is similar to the air filter - if in the above-described case the fuel did not completely burn out due to lack of air, then in the case of a dirty fuel filter, on the contrary, insufficient fuel is supplied. In this case, simple.
Mechanical problems with the engine
If all the above methods did not save, and the engine still pulls the car badly, then it is time to entrust the job to professionals - go to a good car service and diagnose the engine's operation - checking the compression (compression ratio in the combustion chambers), for example, can say a lot about work engine, including the approach to the limit of its resource and the upcoming expensive repairs.
Malfunction in the fuel system
It is quite probable that there is such a reason for the drop in engine torque as a disruption in the normal operation of the fuel supply system to the cylinders, and there may also be a number of reasons why the engine does not pick up speed, let's list the main ones:
- Defective (dirty) gasoline pump due, for example, to low-quality fuel or suction of gasoline from the bottom of the tank, where most of the foreign dirt particles have settled.
- Defective injector or oxygen sensor.
- Leakage of hoses or fuel pipes where air is sucked in.
Clogged catalyst or exhaust system
A dirty catalytic converter or exhaust line can also cause a decrease in engine thrust. In both cases, replacing the corresponding contaminated component will help. It should be borne in mind that the catalyst, as a rule, is very expensive because of the content in it in certain quantities of noble metals.
We have listed the main and most probable reasons for a possible loss of engine power - you need to remember that there are a great many such reasons, and if you did not manage to install them yourself, then you must definitely go to a car service workshop to entrust this business to professionals.
Modern engines are distinguished by good power, a sufficient level of efficiency, and they are less polluting for the environment. When the behavior of the powertrain changes, it is immediately noticeable. If the car does not pull, the reasons for this phenomenon can be very different. Let's take a look at them.
An engine can lose traction for a variety of reasons. There are a huge number of very different malfunctions that result in a loss of power. Sometimes cravings disappear without any symptoms. The unit does not emit unusual noises for it, does not vibrate - it just lost its thrust. Every day the car goes worse and worse. Probably, this situation is familiar to every motorist.
Poor fuel quality
If the car does not pull, the reasons for this phenomenon can be very different. But the first is the quality of the fuel.
Try to remember at which gas station you last refueled your car. Maybe the fuel is not very high quality? At gas stations, they sometimes sell such gasoline that the engine stops working altogether until the tank is empty and better fuel is poured into it.
Check the air filter
A filter that is too dirty does not allow enough air to pass through to create a fuel mixture. This can lead to a significant drop and fuel consumption will increase significantly.
In addition, the quality of the materials used in it can affect the operation of the motor.
When purchasing a regular filter, many are trying to buy the cheapest product available. You should not buy anything, because further motor repairs will cost much more.
There are many different stories about cheap and non-original filters. These products are torn, and then a series of serious malfunctions goes along the chain, up to the failure of the piston rings. To check the condition of the air filter, you need to open the hood, remove the element from the housing and visually assess the condition. If necessary, the part is changed immediately.
Fuel filter
Sometimes, when in a certain state, fuel cells do not supply enough fuel to the vehicle. As a result, the car does not pull. The reasons are clear, but in order to check the fuel filter, they dismantle it, and the remaining fuel is drained.
Then it is purged. If the element is clean, then it is very easy to blow through. If it is difficult or impossible to blow through it, then it should be thrown away. Otherwise, you will have to change the fuel pump in the future.
Supply pressure
The fuel pump is located in the gas tank, on the injection motor. The pump will show up under the hood, on the engine. In most cars, the power loss can be attributed to the fuel pump.
Many modern cars have special connectors on the fuel line for connecting a pressure gauge. This way you can check the pressure. If there is no connector, then you will have to work a little to connect.
The pressure values can be found in the engine manual. There is a special regulator in the line, with which you can relieve excess pressure directly into the tank. This regulator may be incorrectly configured, or it may leak. To check it, you need an ordinary air pump. With the help of it, it is necessary to smoothly raise the pressure level to that which is indicated in the passport for the motor. If you do not have time to increase the pressure, and the regulator has dropped fuel into the tank, then it must be replaced.
Ignition system
Here you need to check if the ignition timing is correct. Sometimes, if the car does not pull, this may be the reason. It is also necessary to check the condition of the candles and high-voltage wiring. More details on how exactly to perform the check can be found in the instructions for a particular engine. The key here in troubleshooting is to use more than just your experience. It is also important to analyze similar situations on other vehicles.
Air flow and pressure sensor
These two elements determine how much air the engine consumes, as well as how much air is needed to create an optimal fuel-air mixture. If these sensors are out of order, then the ECU will incorrectly make calculations and, accordingly, traction may disappear. If the car does not pull, the reasons (including the VAZ-2110 injector) may be in these sensors. If necessary, they should be replaced, and then the power will return again.
But if the car has an ECU, why then does the corresponding paw on the dashboard not light up? The electronic control unit is programmed for open circuit or short circuit. If there is none of this, and the sensor simply does not work as it should, the computer will be able to report that the mixture is being prepared incorrectly. If the car pulls poorly, there may be other reasons, but the sensor is worth checking. The source of the sensor malfunctioning will have to be looked for on your own. The parameters of a specific element can be found in the instructions.
Timing belt or chain
The crankshaft and crankshaft must rotate together and simultaneously. For this, belts are used. Here you just need to combine the marks that are on the chains, belts and gears.
It happens that the belt can jump to another tooth. Chains tend to stretch. However, if these mechanisms are maintained on time and correctly, this cause can be ruled out.
Checking the exhaust system
The device of a modern engine is rather complicated. Manufacturers make them so that cars do not pollute the environment. Or if it was contaminated, then it was minimal.
So, one of the devices that affect the cleaning of exhaust gases is a catalyst. It can be located in different places. If it is in your car, then with the regular use of low-quality fuel, which is sold in large quantities at most of our gas stations, the catalyst may become unusable. But it not only collapses, but can also block the normal exit of exhaust gases. As a result, the car does not pull uphill. Reasons - including clogged catalyst.
Remote thermometers must be used to check the catalyst. You can also check its performance by pressure before and after the device. If all these possibilities are not available, then you will have to dismantle the device and assess its condition visually. If the catalyst is clogged, replace it or install a flame arrester instead.
Compression
If the machine does not pull, the reasons may be in compression. You will need a compressometer to check. It is better if it is equipped with a pressure gauge with good accuracy. During operation of the motor, the piston rings are ground. As a result, compression in the cylinders decreases or disappears altogether. If the valves of the gas distribution mechanism are not too tightly installed in their seats, then the check will show poor results.
To identify the cause of poor compression, after the measurement has been performed, oil is added to the cylinder, and then measured again. If the level has increased slightly, then the piston rings must be replaced. If you are unlucky and the compression remains the same, then the valves will be replaced. If the car does not pull, the reasons (VAZ-2109 is no exception) may be precisely this.
Charge the battery well before measuring the compression. Otherwise, you will not get the correct indicators. The compressor is screwed in instead of candles. This is much better than using a rubber seal. Perhaps, if the car does not pull, the reasons are low compression.
Checking the transmission
Sometimes the powertrain can develop some serious horsepower, but it doesn't reach the wheels. If during the ride you can hear that the engine is working hard, but the speed is not felt, then maybe the automatic transmission system is slipping or there are blockages on the side of the brakes.
To check, you need to go to a straight section, set the automatic transmission selector to position D, and then see how the car behaves. If the speed decreases, then diagnostics should be carried out. If everything is in order with the brakes, you need to go to a good service station and check the automatic transmission.
You can also check the parking brake. To do this, you should go to free space. Warm up the car and then pull on the handbrake. Next, press the brake pedal, and set it to position D. Next, press the accelerator. If the engine keeps rpm around 2000, then everything is in order with it. If less or more, you should go to the service station to test the automatic transmission.
Why the car does not pull: reasons (carburetor)
If such an engine has lost traction, it is possible that the fuel pump union is dirty, or the pressure in the system is low.
It is also possible that the carburetor is simply dirty or there is some problem with the needle valve. Errors or incorrect setting for adjusting the composition of the fuel mixture are possible. If the carburetor flaps are not open enough, traction may be lost. When the fuel level in the engine decreases, the thrust also disappears. When there is any engine thrust problem, a full diagnosis is urgently needed.
It is imperative to find out why the car pulls poorly, we have already considered the reasons. If a fault is found, it should be rectified immediately. If you have not been able to find the cause of the decrease in thrust on your own, do not hesitate. A deeper examination should be carried out in the workshop. But in general, the cause can still be identified and eliminated on its own.
So, we found out why the car loses traction.
