Car has lost power going up hills

[DeCardChef]

My 2006 Elantra (automatic) has just recently lost power going uphill.

It has 39K miles on it. There are no error codes or check engine light warnings. I find it hard to believe after only 39k miles of use I would have a ring/valve problem.

Any suggestions to try before I have compression diagnostic done are welcome.

Thanks

[inafogg]

Originally Posted by DeCardChef

My 2006 Elantra (automatic) has just recently lost power going uphill.

It has 39K miles on it. There are no error codes or check engine light warnings. I find it hard to believe after only 39k miles of use I would have a ring/valve problem.

Any suggestions to try before I have compression diagnostic done are welcome.

Thanks

no i would'nt think rings/valves either.converter starting to clogg maybe
must be a lot of local driving 7k a year??been tuned lately air/fuel filter
maybe weak/low fuel pressure??

[danielsatur]

Have a back pressure test done on your catalytic converters.
A pugged CAT would cause lost hp.

[Tony Silva]

danielsatur is correct...probably faulty catalytic converter(s)....they are "honeycombed" shape inside...real intricate!!! Do you hear any "hissing" coming from under your car as you accelerate? Pepboys can do the test. But if it were my car, I would disconnect the exhaust system in it's different sections to narrow down the possible problem myself. first I would remove the muffler, take it for a test ride. If it still had no power, I wiould move up the pipe system working closer and closer to the motor...removing whatever I came to. muffler...catalytic converter...exhaust preheater...

[DeCardChef]

relatively low mileage but not a lot of stop and go. had 30K maintenance at Hyundai dealer in Rhode Island before moving to Arizona. runs fine and smooth. just not enough oomph going up hill. Checked the air filter, not dirty at all.

Will see what a local autmotive repair shop says.

Thanks

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by DeCardChef

relatively low mileage but not a lot of stop and go. had 30K maintenance at Hyundai dealer in Rhode Island before moving to Arizona. runs fine and smooth. just not enough oomph going up hill. Checked the air filter, not dirty at all.

Will see what a local autmotive repair shop says.

Thanks

Let us know what he says, I would be surprised if its a clogged cat with so few miles on it.

Does it just lose power going up a hill, or does it miss fire as well?
Often these sorts of problems are ignition related as they only show up under load.