Chrysler Imperial 3.3 Power / Backfire problems

So here's a short vid after I finally made it home tonight. The car had NO power at all - much more than a slight tap on the accelerator would cause the engine to die and backfire. I'm starting to think possible fuel filter/ pump problems or a plugged catalytic converter. The longer the car is run, the worse it gets. If the car is allowed to cool off for a while, then it will run fine (until it warms up again).

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Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• chrysler
• 3.3
• imperial
• mopar
• repair
• backfire
• power
• loss
• catalytic
• filter
• pump
• general0ne
• moonshot

[epoxy404]

Just throwing this out there, I've had the same kind of issues with a carbon filled throttle-body. I usually take off the intake hose to the ignition and spray a lil bit of carb cleaner in there while its running of course. Could also be a clogged or failing injector.

[general0ne]

@epoxy404 The injectors are new so I knew that wasn't the problem. Turned out that it was fuel pump failing.

[clubcar98]

Indeed, it sounds like a weak fuel pump or clogged filter...as if it runs fine when at a low RPM (clogged filter/weak pump allowing little fuel through) but once you get past half the pump or filter cannot support the fuel need for the engine...

Also as I said if the car sat for a long time and such it could have fuel crap built up or a clogged filter. It could have a bad o2 sensor or catalytic converter...

Does the engine light come on? If so, id get the codes...

[general0ne]

@clubcar98 The check engine light does NOT come on. The only codes that come up when I do the "key dance" is 12 - battery disconnected / low, which is a common code and not really to be concerned about - the car has a new battery. And 55 - end of codes. I WAS getting 21 and 52 before - which are both O2 sensor codes.

[clubcar98]

@general0ne I see. That is the Anti-Lock light, it was hard to see and I thought it was a Check Engine light.

Id check the fuel filter and pump still. Hopefully its a simple fuel filter, or a catalytic converter. The fuel pump might be a pain to get to, depending if they have access under the rear seat.

[general0ne]

@clubcar98 Yeah. I'm hoping it's not the pump as well, as on Chryslers the tank has to be dropped (done it before - not fun). I need to get hold of a pressure test gauge and see what the fuel pressure looks like since there's a test port on the fuel rail. That should confirm for sure if it's the pump or filter. If it's not that then I'm going for the cat.

[epoxy404]

@epoxy404 t

Intake hose to the engine I meant

[phantom3rdchannel]

@general0ne a mechanic friend of mine. he works on gm and ford cars though. he said definitely sounds like an electrical issue due to it getting worse when its warm said it was most likely an ignition module.

[general0ne]

@clubcar98 That is what my mechanic suggested - to change the fuel filter. The car was sitting 3-4 years, so that is definitely a possibility. It doesn't seem to matter how much fuel is in the tank, and it gets worse the longer the car is running.

I am leaning towards fuel pump or filter or the a clogged cat - The O2 sensor was bad in it, and has been replaced. I was going to remove it to see if letting off some backpressure helped, but I don't have my O2 wrench here.

[general0ne]

@phantom3rdchannel What are your "sources" ? My mechanic told me that this era of Chrysler vehicle had computer issues with the computer in the inner fender, but I've worked on a few of these ('92 Sundance, 88 Sundance turbo, 84 Rampage, 83 Rampage, 83 Town & country, 90 Lebaron, and 90 Imperial) and have never had computer issues. GROUND issues, yes, but I've never had a computer failure (though this car is the only one I've worked on that has distributorless ignition).