TIRED Engine

Hello All,

Wanted to get your thoughts on my truck's issue. I have a 2001 5.3 litre silverado, 4x4. Recently, it seems like the engine is beat and just doesn't want to work. I was towing a trailer with about 2.5k pounds on it up a small incline (no more than 3-4%...) and it just wouldn't get after it at all. I was in tow/haul going gradually up the hill and it just kept losing speed and even grabbed first more than once regardless of where I tried to keep it.

The truck has about 165k miles on it, regular oil changes, transmission services, etc. I changed plugs, wires, and belts about 15k miles ago. The brake/abs light comes on almost every trip now, but I am assuming that can't be the issue (some digging on that one later today...)

No check engine light coming on. There is a slight hesitation at super low RPM's or at around 55 in 4th gear, seems to just not like to be there.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Is there anything I can look into here, or is this poor girl just getting old?

Well Murph, there's lots of things to look into:
1. Clean the T/B with T/B cleaner.
2. Clean the MAF with MAF cleaner.
3. Check for obstructions in the intake system.
4. Do the same for the exhaust.
5. Compression test. Remove ALL the plugs, the fuel pump relay and block the T/B full open.
6. Check fuel pressure.

There's more, but this should get you going in the right direction.

Thanks for the direction! I just cleaned the MAF recently and didn't see a noticeable change in anything. T/B is certainly something I have not looked at at all... guess that is the next on the list to give a look at.

Thank you