gutless voyager

I have a 92 plymough voyager with 143k the the 3.3 engine. When it's
cold, it acts like it's running on only 4 or 5 cylinders. Under load,
it's almost (but not quite) enough to stall the engine. When I put it
back into drive, it idles nicely. I can gun the engine in neutral and
it feels a little rough at low rpms, but when it gets above maybe
1000, it runs fine. Put it back into drive, and it sputters. This
isn't all the time. The warmer the car gets, the better it gets and
disappears almost entirely. Sometimes, when trying to start from a
slow speed, it knocks a few times at random with no power, then
regains it's composure and drives nicely.

Does this just sound like it needs a tuneup or something else? I
haven't started looking for the problem yet. I'm trying to build a
list of things to check.

tia,
brian

 

If it hasn't had a GOOD tuneup than this is the place to start. Plugs
(Champions), wires, pcv (check the pcv hose too), fuel filt. etc. Look too
for any error codes and correct them. It should than run well again.
Larry

 

Yeah, my guess is that it's spark related. There's no check engine
light which I'm assuming means no codes. This is surprising because
I'd expect a misfire to register as a code. Maybe that's only on
later cars.

brian

 

NOt many things will set a mil on those. Not even a bad O2 or EGR. There
will be a code set though but some things will not register on the self
diagnostic. BTW don't fall for the fancy spark plug claims. Use stock
Champions and OEM wires also check the coils for cracks and corrosion. If
you see any replace the coil pack too.
Larry