My '03 EX bogs likes no other. Mostly when its not warm yet, and on ANY hill. I have been losing power more and more recently and would like to hear what you guys have to say about it before bringin it in and spendin a bunch of money.

A couple of my friends are pretty good with cars, and have told me its probably either the head gasket, or the timing belt.

Car has 177K on it... :/

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

 

The check engine light is not coming on? Does the light even work (common for it to be disconnected by unscrupulous used car sellers)? It should come on then go out when you turn the key on but don't start. If you have the check engine light on, get the trouble code(s) read out.

I doubt it is the head gasket. You would have lots of other problems, like smoking and overheating.

The timing belt could have skipped a tooth. This happens suddenly, not gradually. It is easy enough to take the cover off and inspect the timing marks. Or if the belt is old and about due, replace it anyway and go from there.

Take your spark plugs out and examine them. If one looks different from the others there is likely a problem with that cylinder. Again if they are at all old, toss them and put new ones back in.

 

Thank you mk...

I will take a look at the belt and the plugs.

Anyone else have input?

 

have you installed a CAI? they can cause bogging if the car's ECU doesn't accept it.

 

If mk's ideas don't happen to pan out, then you might also check for low fuel pressure, and a clogged catalytic converter or air filter.

 

sittin --- what is a CAI?

ronj --- thank you, i will def look into that as well...

anyone else?

 

Oh yeah, you also might want to use a timing light to check whether the ignition timing is set to spec. (If the timing is OFF but the timing belt is fine, the fix for distributor-less engines is to replace the ECU.)

 

That was the plan of attack to start with since it doesnt cost anything to check it. Thanks!