Engine sluggish after long winter indoors.

[98bluevert]

OK i got my car out today had to jump it, and ran fine until it warmed up then when it was under a mild load from 2nd gear on up it would be a lil under powered.

drove around a lil while longer and noticed when taking off from a stop running it through the gears at WOT about 4,000 rpm it feels like it fell flat on its face.

Now i know old non PI engines do that but i have PI cams and Intake so its much better.

drove around for about 40 miles and got home and had to jump it again.

Put my factory tune back in my car thinking that might be the problem and it had really no effect.

Now is my problem due to a bad battery,spark plugs and wires, or are they two separate issues.

 

[SRT Handz]

seafoam

 

[Paul]

seafoam

While you're at it, just pour a gallon of lacquer thinner down the engine. It's work grrrrreeeeaaaaat.

Paul.

 

[DropTopPony]

Still have the old gas in the tank? Maybe needs a new fuel filter or plugs/wires/packs or all of the above.

How long since all of this was done?

 

[98bluevert]

Plugs and wires 2 yrs ago getting ready to get 2 step colder plugs for my wet kit along with new wires.
never have done coil paks or fuel filter, 68,000 miles

Also when i shift at WOT the exhaust pops.

 

[98bluevert]

Put my Battery in my car read 12.66V hooked up the pos. and neg then read 4.33V
disconnected the neg. 12.53V, switched to amps had it on 200m and it read 00.1 switched it to 20m and it was 0.01.

Someone in another thread said it might be the alternator so i disconnected to see if it was pulling any amps and nothing changed.

 

[MustangChris]

id change teh fuel filter and put premium gas in it for a tank or two... just to get the old nasty gas out... personally... now ... before we start flamin'... i KNOW our cars dont need premium, but to get all that old gas out from sitting, thats what id run.

 

[GDawg]

You still might want to check the plugs for corrosion and moisture. Sounds like they are wet.

 

[MustangChris]

You still might what to check the plugs for corrosion and moisture. Sounds like they are wet.

true. id just replace them.

 

[98bluevert]

thanks for all the info. i put a bottle of heet in the tank the other night and replaced the battery today,
took it out and it ran fine for a good hard pass went and turned around and had it in 2nd gear and
put it about half throttle and went kinda sluggish.

I just babied it back into town and stopped at the car wash, sprayed it off took it back out and
took it down the interstate about 5 miles to air dry it and didnt have any problems with it the rest of the way home.

Not sure what it was but i am not going to change the plugs and wires until i get my Zex kit on :headbang:,

 

[GDawg]

thanks for all the info. i put a bottle of heet in the tank the other night and replaced the battery today,
took it out and it ran fine for a good hard pass went and turned around and had it in 2nd gear and
put it about half throttle and went kinda sluggish.

I just babied it back into town and stopped at the car wash, sprayed it off took it back out and
took it down the interstate about 5 miles to air dry it and didnt have any problems with it the rest of the way home.

Not sure what it was but i am not going to change the plugs and wires until i get my Zex kit on :headbang:,

You don't have to go in for the plug change BUT you can go and at least have a look at them. Couldn't hurt...

 

[98bluevert]

Ya i will check them tomorrow, but its nice to know that it will run right and i dont have to replace them, hopefully.

 

[98bluevert]

ok finally got around to doing the spark plugs and they're fine, changed fuel filter and went for a drive noticed the
theft light flashing quickly and not stopping what do i do or is it time to take it to the dealer?

 

[cheddar]

mine was super sluggish after our long canadian winters.....from october to early may.

I did plugs, wires, packs, clean intake filter, injector cleaner, oil change and a fuel filter she is now happy

 

[vermilion]

oil accumulates moisture sitting which also aerates the oil. change the oil, putt around town until you're almost empty and fresh fill. id even dust off the maf. little tune up goes along way. ive had bad luck with plug wires. double check your grounds for corrosion. what may run great before you store can come out running like a hiccuping snail months later.