What Causes Engine Power Loss When Accelerating at High Temperatures?
2 Answers
Engine power loss when accelerating at high temperatures can be attributed to the following reasons: Fuel system faults: A clogged or waterlogged air filter reduces air intake, leading to an overly rich air-fuel mixture, incomplete combustion, and poor acceleration. In this case, the exhaust pipe emits heavy black smoke. Cracks in fuel lines or loose/leaking connections, along with insufficient fuel pump pressure, result in poor fuel delivery and affect acceleration performance. Poor atomization or clogging of fuel injectors causes cylinders to misfire or stop working, impacting acceleration. The exhaust pipe may emit black smoke. Fuel quality is another factor. If the fuel contains excessive water, the exhaust pipe will emit white smoke. Electrical faults: Malfunctioning air flow meters reduce air intake, causing the air-fuel mixture to become overly rich or lean, affecting acceleration. Damaged spark plugs in individual cylinders (i.e., cylinder misfire) also impair acceleration. Additionally, issues like leaking ignition wires can contribute. Mechanical faults: Wear and tear of engine valves, cylinder liners, pistons, or piston rings result in insufficient cylinder compression. Excessive intake valve clearance or insufficient exhaust valve clearance can also cause problems.
I've dealt with many cases of engine overheating and lack of power during acceleration in my routine car repairs. Common causes include cooling system failures such as a clogged radiator or non-functioning fan, which lead to poor engine cooling and rising temperatures. In such situations, the engine oil viscosity decreases, providing insufficient lubrication, and friction between pistons and cylinders increases, naturally resulting in poor acceleration. Another issue could be with the ignition system, like excessive carbon buildup on spark plugs preventing ignition at high temperatures, leading to incomplete combustion of the air-fuel mixture. If the fuel pump has insufficient pressure or the fuel injectors are dirty, inadequate fuel supply will also cause poor acceleration. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) will automatically limit power to protect the engine when it detects high temperatures. It's advisable to stop and check the coolant level when the temperature warning light comes on, rather than pushing the engine, to avoid cylinder damage. For summer maintenance, cleaning the radiator and changing the engine oil are recommended to prevent such issues.
