Loss of power!!!

[jeverett]

ALrighty, this has been a problem thats been slowly developing over the last year.

About 25K miles ago, One of my head gaskets cracked, causing me to have them both replaced. Well, since then the trucks valves rattle ungodly, no matter what octane gas I use. I've changed the fuel filter many times, used injector cleaner, etc... still no better. Even if your just cruisin on flat road, the valves sound like they're coming inside to sit with you. As a side effect of this, the engine seems to have gotten weaker, maybe its just my imagination, which would be good, but just by the feel of the truck, its weaker. IT can't hold 70 up a slight hill on the interstate with the cruise set anymore. I suspect the catalytic converters are stopping up, but I have to way to prove this. Anyone know any ways to check for this?? I'm kind of at a loss now, b/c I don't want to take it to a dealership to let them "diagnose" it for $80/hr.

BTW, its a 99 5.3 with 94K on it.

Any suggestions anyone???

[chevytrucks92]

Take it to a local garage (not a dealer) and see if they can check it for ya. Eitehr that or take it to a muffler shop and get it checked.

[jeverett]

Heres some more bad news on it. I was gettin on it tonight, playing w/ this dodge dakota, and I developed this knock that sounds like its in the bottom end of the engine....starts about 1500 rpm.....im starting tohate this engine. Plus.. the local garage is the one that screwed it up to begin with, but they sweared it was all ok when I took it back to them.