No POWER

[umina]

Hi, picked up a nice 2001 Regal LS as a summer car until i can fix the AC in my GP. Trouble is, this car has NO POWER, especially compared to my GP. Now they are the same engine and trans (my GP is not super charged), why the discrepancy in power? I replaced the fuel filter, air filter, checked plugs and wires etc. Car just had the upper intake replaced a week before i bought it, but it all seems in order, no loose vacuum lines or anything like that. I have no SES light on or stored codes. I'm wondering if my CAT isn't clogged as i heard there was some sort of issue with the 01-02 regals. Is there a good way to test this?

I should mention what i mean by no power though. I'm not trying to race the car by any means, just normal driving. When you go to pull out of a drive way for example, the car goes slowly out, even with more gas pedal, then it kinda seems to stall off or flatten out and then go a little more. Its hard to explain, but when i step on it in my GP, it will pin you back in the seat, it seems like the engine is spinning, but not turning the wheels or something. Trans is not slipping, and it shifts really well for having 140k miles on it. What would it feel like if the cat were bad/clogged? like what i've described? I have more than 120k miles on the car so i'm sure i can't get this fixed for free by the dealer. Let me know, thanks!

[BNaylor]

There is an issue with the CAT converter on 2001-2002 models but you may be too late with your mileage to have it covered by GM. See link below.

Click here

Your Regal LS should be just as fast as your Grand Prix GT or SE with SII 3800 engine with the exception of dead stop starts since the Grand Prix has lower final drive ratio gearing.

You can run an exhaust backpressure test to see if the converter is clogged.

[umina]

turns out it was my MAF. Wierd because it was not throwing any codes. I unplugged it and its like a whole new car. I'm hoping that since it wasn't throwing a code that it is just dirty and can still be cleaned?? I'm going to give it a try, with it unplugged i get good power, but also a check engine light and lousy shifting. Anyone have trouble with magnasteer going bad with slop/clunk in the steering column? Thats my next thing to tackle.

[umina]

I cleaned my MAF, made alittle difference but not much. I notice that if the car sits for a long while and i start it, it then dies. I can then restart it, and it runs rough, like its missing a cylinder or something, then smooths out with some gas. after that it runs like a top. I was thinking of swapping out my coil packs from my Grand Prix with the Buick, do they just unbold one at a time, or do they all have to come off at once with the mounting bracket?

could the IAC being dirty also cause a loss of power? I'm going to do plugs and wires in a week or so when i get payed so maybe that will help as well. From what i can tell, the plugs and wires are original, with 140k miles on them!

and for what its worth, i fixed my clunking steering by hosing down the ISS with lithium based chain lube, worked like a charm!

[BNaylor]

Coils unbolt individually. The coil packs are the same between the two. You should consider doing the plugs and ignition wires due to the mileage. Plus clean the IAC or complete throttle body.