Losing speed and power

[wraith05]

I own a 93 a saturn SC2 and it started giving me problems a few days a go, it started by having problems gaining high speeds I drive it daily on the Fwy and now its really hard to get it up 80 mph when it wasn't any problem, the next day it did the same thing so I kept pushing it to get 80 mph but it takes a long time to reach it and when it got there it started wanting to stall today my dad took it to work he said the same thing happen to him and said it kept stalling on him and even kept losing speed it didnt respond to the accelarator, any idea what it might be?

[denisond3]

How many miles on the car, how long since the fuel filter was replaced? How long since the spark plugs were replaced? Has the fuel pump ever been replaced? Has the catylytic converter been replaced,
I would begin by checking the fuel pressure - but the fuel pressure when the car is sitting still isnt as useful as to know the fuel pressre when you are going fast. (It should be about the same.)
Your symptoms could come from a clogged fuel filter or slow delivery from the fuel tank, or from really bad/old spark plugs, or from a clogged catylytic converter. And probably other things that are more rare.
Does the check engine light come on?

[wraith05]

no the engine light doesnt come up, the car has about 150k ok the spark plugs should be in good condition not sure about the fuel filter and pump and catylytic converter but today it didnt go past 35 mph

[samprix]

Try taking out the O2 sensor. If you now have speed and power similar to before, then your exhaust has too much back pressure. Likely from the catalytic convertor breaking a part inside and maybe clogging the exhaust system. Take it real easy until you check this. You may cause damage.

[wraith05]

Remove the O2 sensor to relieve the back preassure? Or is it to prevent damage to the sensor?

[denisond3]

Removing the O2 sensor is to create an extra opening in the exhaust system, and help you diagnose if there is blockage in the catylytic converter. Its a lot faster than disconnecting the cat. converter and doing a test run (with ear-splitting exhaust noise). The O2 sensor doesnt need protection from high back pressure.

[wraith05]

ill be sure to do that but in case its not the catylytic converter any way of checking if its the fuel pump without taking it out of the gas tank or replacing it?

[sickcallawayc12]

Test the fuel pump for power. However, in my experience, when a fuel pump goes bad, the car usually won't start/run at all once it stops and it should have left you stranded somewhere so I think its something else. When was the last time you did any maintenence work and what did you do?

[RC1488]

nothing is wrong with the fuel pump.

change your spark plugs and wires, and maybe even your fuel filter. also try the cat test as mentioned above.

[wraith05]

well it was the catalytic after all it broke and all the stuff inside messed up my exhaust thanks to everyone who help i appreciated