What are the reasons for sudden loss of power when accelerating?
3 Answers
The sudden loss of power when accelerating may be caused by three main reasons. Below is a detailed introduction to these three causes: 1. Issues with the intake system: This could be due to abnormal air filters, clogged throttle valves, or aging vacuum tubes. These components affect the amount of air intake. Insufficient air intake will result in a loss of power when accelerating. 2. Problems with the exhaust system: If there are abnormalities in the exhaust system, you can try manual cleaning or contact a professional maintenance team for inspection and repair. 3. Issues with the fuel system: This may be caused by clogged fuel injectors. If there are problems with the fuel system, it is necessary to clean the fuel injectors promptly.
In my decades of driving, I've encountered many situations where the throttle feels sluggish, most of which are related to the fuel system. For example, if the fuel pump isn't working smoothly, fuel supply can't keep up, or the fuel injectors are clogged and can't spray fuel, or the gasoline filter is too old and clogged with impurities, the car will feel like it's struggling to breathe. Another issue could be with the ignition system—if the spark plugs are worn out and can't ignite properly, or if the ignition coil fails, causing a cylinder misfire, the car will definitely lack power. Last time, I also encountered a situation where the throttle body had a thick buildup of carbon deposits, causing the valve to stick and not open fully. After cleaning it, the car immediately ran smoothly again. If the exhaust system is blocked, such as a clogged catalytic converter, the engine will also struggle due to poor exhaust flow. Don't delay—the longer you wait, the more damage it can cause. Take it to a reliable repair shop as soon as possible, because safety always comes first.
Last time my car suddenly felt sluggish during acceleration, so I checked the two most likely culprits first: the air filter was completely covered in dust when I pulled it out, so I immediately replaced it with a new one; then I pulled out the spark plugs and saw the electrodes were burnt black, so I ordered the same model online and replaced them to test. If you're handy, you could also check if the fuel pump pressure is sufficient by connecting a pressure gauge to the fuel line. The fuel filter, located under the chassis, isn’t hard to remove either—just replace it if it’s clogged. If these basic fixes don’t solve the problem, then it might be a sensor issue, like a faulty oxygen sensor misleading the ECU about fuel injection or a malfunctioning mass airflow sensor causing incorrect air intake calculations. Don’t just guess—if needed, take it to a repair shop to read the trouble codes with professional equipment.
