What Causes Engine Roaring Without Acceleration When Pressing Hard on the Accelerator?
3 Answers
The reasons for engine roaring without acceleration when pressing hard on the accelerator are: 1. Ignition system failure: When spark plugs age or fail, pressing hard on the accelerator may cause fuel to fail to ignite, resulting in cylinder misfire; 2. Fuel system failure leading to low pressure, insufficient fuel injection can cause weak engine acceleration; 3. Excessive engine carbon deposits leading to poor fuel atomization; 4. Damaged catalytic converter or turbocharger, in which case it is necessary to go to a repair facility for computer diagnosis and troubleshooting. The accelerator, also known as the "throttle," refers to the control device that regulates engine power (thrust). In piston aircraft engines, the throttle controls the carburetor's throttle opening to regulate cylinder filling, thereby determining the engine's output power.
I remember often experiencing situations where I pressed the accelerator hard but the car wouldn't accelerate, only hearing the engine roar without power. Back then, I thought it was because the car was old and lacked strength, but later when I took it for repairs, I learned there could be many reasons. The most common one is a clogged air filter. Over time, that thing gets covered in dust, preventing the engine from drawing in air—just like a person gasping for breath—resulting in roaring without power, and naturally, the performance weakens. Another possibility is issues with the fuel system, such as the fuel pump failing to deliver enough fuel or dirty fuel injectors not spraying properly, causing the engine to starve for fuel and just roar without moving. In such cases, I suggest first checking if the air filter is clogged. If it's a simple fix, replace it with a new one. If that doesn't work, take it to a professional shop to have the mechanics check the wiring and sensors. Don't delay this issue—lack of acceleration affects driving safety, especially when you suddenly can't speed up on the highway, which can be really frustrating. Early diagnosis brings peace of mind.
My husband's car has been having the same issue recently. When stepping on the accelerator, the engine roars but the car barely moves forward. At first, I thought he was driving too aggressively. I asked the mechanic at the repair shop, and he said there could be several reasons, such as a clogged air filter that needs cleaning, or old spark plugs causing poor ignition and incomplete fuel combustion, which makes the car sluggish. Transmission problems are also common; if an automatic transmission shifts poorly, the car will just rev loudly without accelerating properly. Sometimes, it's a blocked exhaust system causing poor exhaust flow and making the engine struggle. We'll try cleaning the filter ourselves first, and if that doesn’t work, we’ll take it in for repairs promptly—better not skimp on safety to save a few bucks, as repairs aren’t too expensive compared to the risks. Also, a quick reminder: regular maintenance of these parts, using good-quality fuel, and avoiding dusty roads can prevent many issues.