Swift has no power, need help please

[FletchTrick]

Hello, my brother has a 94 1.0 liter 5 speed (I think it's a 94) and it has had a sudden loss of power. He took it to the best automotive shop in the county and they had it for 3 days and could not find the problem. In fact, they didn't charge him for the work. Of course they did a diagnostic and there were no codes. The mechanic said "Jeezus, this thing won't even get out of it's own way... how long hs it had no power?" It hesitates when taking off and getting up a hill is a challenge. He has to keep the RPM's up or it just won't make it. Any ideas on what could be cusing this? ANY help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[mik13usa]

How many miles? If it is over 150k it may be time for piston rings or a complete rebuild, my 94 1 liter is going strong, but exhibited the same problem after 175k . Also always try the little things first, fuel filter, plugs cap roter and wires, and check the PCV and air filter.

[LamarS1231]

Sounds like a good excuse to p & p while you are in the general area. Get the rings I am having the same problem I think it is the rings. God bless

[speeding turtle]

I would check timing belt off by one or two teeth

[Scott Long]

Check the harmonic balancer might be broken.

[mik13usa]

it doesn't have a harmonic balancer!

[fastlittleswift]

Originally Posted by FletchTrick

Hello, my brother has a 94 1.0 liter 5 speed (I think it's a 94) and it has had a sudden loss of power. He took it to the best automotive shop in the county and they had it for 3 days and could not find the problem. In fact, they didn't charge him for the work. Of course they did a diagnostic and there were no codes. The mechanic said "Jeezus, this thing won't even get out of it's own way... how long hs it had no power?" It hesitates when taking off and getting up a hill is a challenge. He has to keep the RPM's up or it just won't make it. Any ideas on what could be cusing this? ANY help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

umm i have a 89 gti and my car would gap before it got gas so i had my friend check the timing and it was way off, then we put in new plugs and plug wires and that seemed to help a lot, and also check if the intake valve ios cloged with like a mouse nest or sumtin but get back with me and tell me if it helped

[chutchin]

Hey.
I would suggest you spend $1 and try QuikMechanic at:
http://www.ineed1.com/quikmechanic.html

I used them before and they helped alot. I did wats emy money and go to a mechanic without being prepared and without spending to much money like $68 per hour, and still don't fix it. It's just $1 anyway, so you can't go wrong.

Chutch

[Roadkill_Ak_47]

my 2nd engine lost lots of power very obvious, i felt 3 or 4 drops in power over about 3 days then my connecting rod smashed threw the engine block, i would take off the oil pan and inspect the connecting rod caps and have a feel that the rods arnt to loose on the crankshaft.

[FletchTrick]

I don't think it's blowing any oil but I'm sure it probly needs pistons and rings by now as it does have high miles on it. The timing was off by a few teeth but every time it gets fixed it jumps again.??? Maybe time for a new sproket too. Now it dies while at an idle and won't start again if it's warmed up until about an hour later. I dunno much about these cars so any other input is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

[Dtp83084]

i have an 89 gti and it too has had a big loss of power and the timing was off so i fixed it and replaced a lot of other things and it stil runs the same (like crap) and it turns out it has a burnt Valve you should check the compresson in your cylinders

[BeoWolfe]

Greetings, I own a 93 geo metro with a 1.0l. I had the exact same problem so I might be able to help.

Much like your mechanic, I too couldn't find the problem but I ended up finding that the crankshaft timing gear had bent the crankshaft gear keywedge. The only way to know for sure is to pull off the timing belt cover and the crank pully and then pull off the crank timing gear and inspect the keywedge. Its all pretty simple and you should only take and hour or so to check.

Good Luck