If you’ve been experiencing car trouble and your car seems to be losing power when accelerating, don’t worry – you’re not alone. This is a problem that many car owners face, but there are several causes that can lead to it.
In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common causes of this issue and what you can do to fix it. So, if your car has been giving you problems lately, keep reading for more information.
What Causes Loss of Power When Accelerating?
The most common cause of why a car loses power when accelerating is a clogged fuel filter or engine air filter. It can also be caused by a damaged sensor disturbing the air-fuel mixture like the MAF sensor or O2 sensor.
These are the most common causes of this kind of problem, but far from every possible reason. Here is a much more detailed list of the most common causes of why your car is losing power while accelerating.
1. Clogged Fuel Filter (Both Diesel & Gas)
A fuel filter has the responsibility of filtering the fuel before it goes into the engine and combustion chamber. If the fuel filter gets clogged and the fuel does not reach the engine chamber in the right quantity, the engine will not perform at its optimum level.
You will feel as if you are losing power while you accelerate. So, when this happens, the first thing you should do is check your fuel filter.
The fuel filter is located in the engine bay or near the fuel tank in your car’s trunk. If the fuel filter is clogged, you can get it changed by a mechanic who will charge you a very paltry sum.
2. Clogged/Dirty Air Filter (Both Diesel & Gas)
The engine needs clean air to function properly. Dust and other particles can damage the combustion chamber. Therefore, the air that goes into the system should always be clean. To ensure this, an air filter is placed right before the throttle body.
As soon as the throttle opens, the air is sucked in, and it passes through the dedicated air filter, which cleanses the air of dust and other harmful particles. The air filter goes bad after a few thousand miles, so it is best if you get it changed every time you go for an oil change.
3. Clogged Catalytic Converter or Particle Filter
The exhaust removes all the harmful and unnecessary gases from the engine. The sooner the exhaust excretes these gases, the sooner the engine can restart combustion.
Therefore, if the car can excrete gases faster than it produces them, the car runs fast and smoothly.
However, if there is any obstacle in the way like a clogged catalytic converter or a clogged exhaust, then your engine loses power.
4. MAF Sensor Malfunction
The Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF) measures the amount of air the car needs to accelerate. Once it gets that measurement, it sends this information to the ECU, which notifies the throttle to open accordingly.
If the MAF is faulty and not measuring the airflow properly, you could experience a serious loss in power. Sensors can get worn out due to heat and dust. Regularly cleaning them can help improve their function.
5. Oxygen Sensor Malfunction (Gas engines)
The MAF senses the amount of air entering the engine, and the oxygen sensor measures the gases that exit the engine. It is therefore located in the exhaust pipe. If the MAF readings match with the oxygen sensor readings, then this means your car is in perfect running condition.
The oxygen sensor also affects the fuel injection system, so it’s necessary for it to function properly for your car to run smoothly.
If the oxygen sensor fails, it can cause a lean or rich condition in the engine, which will cause the engine to lose power when accelerating.
6. Faulty Fuel Injectors (Both Diesel & Gas)
Fuel injectors introduce fuel into the combustion chamber. They do this by sending in fuel at high-pressure, much like a spray. They need to spray the precise amount of fuel into the chamber for combustion to happen.
If there is even a slight miscalculation, the combustion cycle can get disrupted, resulting in loss of power and, in the worst-case scenario, broken cams or pistons.
7. Fuel Pump (Gas Engines)
The fuel pump delivers fuel from the fuel tank to the engine. The fuel pump has to be powerful enough to be able to send the fuel at high pressure. If the pressure is low, the fuel injectors will not be able to spray the correct amount of fuel into the combustion chamber, resulting in a loss of power.
A faulty fuel pump will not pose problems at low speeds, but you might be left wanting when you are looking for quick acceleration. Fuel pumps usually have a long life, so checking the fuel pump on your car shouldn’t be your first action.
8. Worn Spark Plugs (Gas Engines)
The spark plugs are another part of the engine that can cause problems with the engine’s power. They create the spark that causes explosions inside the combustion chamber. Without them, your car won’t even run.
If you are losing power, bad spark plugs could be a problem in some rare scenarios. Mostly you will notice worn spark plugs when your car is misfiring.
If your car engine doesn’t sound like usual, there is a chance that a spark plug is worn out and the car is running on one cylinder less than usual.
9. Poor Cylinder Compression (Both Diesel & Gas)
The cylinders in an engine have to be sealed tight so they can contain the explosions happening inside them. The car works on this basic principle. If the compression rate is high, then all the power from the explosion is being used to drive the pistons. However, if there is a leak, the compression rate drops.
In easier terms, this means that the cylinder cannot compress the explosion, and the power is not completely transferred to the wheels. This can lead directly to a loss of power while accelerating.
10. Faulty Turbocharger / Boost pipe leak (Both Diesel & Petrol)
If your car is equipped with a turbocharger, your turbocharger is likely damaged. The turbocharger gives the engine a lot of extra horsepowers, and without it, your car will feel like a tractor.
An even more likely scenario is that a turbo boost pipe came loose, so the turbocharger will not increase the turbo pressure. This will cause a serious drop in the engine’s performance and cause the turbocharger to break.
Can bad spark plugs cause power loss?
Yes. Bad spark plugs can cause power loss. When the spark plugs aren’t firing properly, it can cause the engine to lose power and run inefficiently. So if you’re experiencing a loss of power, it’s worth checking the condition of your spark plugs to see if they might be the culprit.
How do I check if my fuel filter is clogged?
There are a few different ways to check if your fuel filter is clogged. One way is to perform a visual inspection of the fuel filter. If the gasoline inside the fuel filter appears dirty or clogged, then it is likely that the filter is clogged and needs to be replaced.
Another way to check if the fuel filter is clogged is to check the fuel pressure. If the fuel pressure is lower than normal, this may be an indication that the fuel filter is clogged.
Does cleaning a MAF sensor work?
Yes. Buildup of dirt and gunk on the sensor can cause it to malfunction, which in turn causes the car’s engine to run poorly and the engine to accelerate slowly. By cleaning the MAF sensor, you’re essentially removing all that built-up gunk and allowing the sensor to function properly again.
Can a dirty air filter cause reduced engine power?
Yes, a dirty air filter can cause reduced engine power. A dirty air filter restricts the amount of air that can flow into the engine which will cause a loss of power. It is recommended that you change your air filter after your vehicle’s service schedule.
Conclusion
There are many potential causes of a car losing power when accelerating. It could be something as simple as a clogged fuel filter or air filter, or it could be something more serious like a fuel supply problem.
The best way to start diagnosing a car that is losing power when accelerating is by checking the trouble codes in the engine control module with an OBD scanner.
You do also want to look for technical service bulletins for your vehicle. For example, Honda, Jeep, and Ram vehicles have power loss investigations and recalls.
If your car has this problem, but you don’t have the knowledge to fix it yourself, take it to a qualified mechanic and have them diagnose the problem as soon as possible. With proper diagnosis and repair, you should be able to get your car back on the road and running smoothly again.
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16 thoughts on "10 Reasons Your Car Is Losing Power When Accelerating"
Bill
Hi, I have a Suzuki Super carry utility van and it runs with DDiS Turbo Charge. When it rains it starts loosing its power and the smokes gets very black. but when the car is dry and the sun is up there is no problem at all. A friend of mine said is the add power thing but we dont really know. what could be the problem?
Kelton Bevan
Hi My Toyota Cedan Mark 2 JZX:110 is loosing power when taking off and its giving some back fire noise before taking off after slowing down. Note: it's Gas engine.
Kamal Malhotra
My Nissan Pulsar 2005 starts alright but after 10kms or so slows down won't accelerate, jerks and starts shaking as if it is about to stop. . No engine light comes up. Sometimes stops at the red lights. But starts again with out problem.
celiwe zikalala
hi my polo tsi is dropping a speed I change petrol pump, petrol filter, top gasket, valves, seals and guides but it still have a same problem please help
vicki jorgenson
first my brake light came on then a couple weeks later my battery light but when i put foot on brake battery light came on then with battery light on i lost pwer and dim light put it in 2nd gear and my power came back. took corner and my lights got bright. then the next time i went out my airbag brake and battery all were on and the lights were dim . whats my problem. alternator . i drove 30 miles with battery light on and every time i hit brake it would go off
Pam
Hi I have a kia cerado 2005 model and while driving it the engine light came on and it lost power and went to about 20km when I put my foot a little harder on the accelerator it just revs what do u think it could be my machanic said it was throttle sensor and fixed that but it's still doing it
Grant Eklund
I have a 2011 F150 with an Ecoboost engine. It accelerates well from stop, but if I accelerate hard when I'm at highway speed (passing or going up a steeper incline), I lose power and the engine light starts to flash. The truck will run rough for a few minutes after, then go back to it's normal self, which is good except for this power loss problem.
Edward Asirigwa
Hello, I have a Hyundai Santafe 2008 model. Sometimes the car keeps vibrating when on idle, and while driving it loses power for sometimes then it picks again, this happens everytime I drive it. What could be the problem? Thank you.
Jjemba steven
Gearbox
Nick nguyễn
I have camry 2004 was overheated and I used the blue devil fixed after that the car not started if the reason is low comression what should I do to get it back or fix it thanks
Racheal
Hi. My car is Honda Accord, it shakes when applied brake, it's been showing check car engine light on the dashboard for a while, stops when applied brake in traffic but pick up almost immediately when ignited. I have changed plugs, blow the injector. What exactly could be the problem?
Nathan
You should also mention camshaft and crankshaft position sensors.
Lisa
My car is losing coolant and no pressure when take off coolant cap,seems to be some smoke when driving.
Raymond Von Niessen
Probably a head gasket leak. If the smoke is white coming out of the exhaust.
Micah Frasu
Your cooling system has to be pressurized to work properly check where your loosing coolant at for most vehicles the car has 2 radiator hoses and 2 heater core hoses the radiator at the front of the vehicle(most the time) and the heater hose on your fire wall (wall in-between you and your motor the heater core hoses usually enter your fire wall right bye eachother or not more than a foot apart you have a leak somewhere in your cooling system. when your car heats up and you have a leak in let's say your radiator you will see it comming out In the form of steam .I hate how every body says and assumes head gasket there can be 20 other more than likely senerios like if you notice your cars getting hot and checked and noticed your car didn't have water you are probably smart enough to keep at least water in it its probibly just a fault in your cooling system like a leak.if it was your head gasket you would still get SOME type of pressure in your cooling system check for steam right when your car over heats after you put coolant in ,I'd use water for the test coolants too expensive to be just leaked into the street check your floor panel see if its wet that would be your heater core check the floor under your vehicle right when you fill it .see if the leak is apparent. if your white smoke of your tail pipe is not super noticable,and it's hard to tell at a stand still have someone else drive bye you in your vehicle. you can also get some stuff at auto zone or where ever to put in your cars coolat that has a pair of glasses and the stuff you pour it in and you use the glasses to look for your leak that will be aperent with the glasses on they also make a device that will tell you if your head gasket is blown bye screwing on your radiator and the salution will turn color telling you there is exaust fumes inside your cars coolant. I wish someone woulda explained stuff to me like I've took the time to do for you pass a good deed or favor on to someone else who needs it in return God bless and good luck
Charles mugane
Hi sir, my car is a wongroad Nissan, when the check engine light on the dash board goes on, the car looses power. When the engine gets hot and I put it off, putting it on the light (check engine) goes on and lose of power starts. When the check engine light is off, it can go for hundreds of kilometers. What could be the problem?