low power
#11
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this is a very likely scenario, i know we find mice building nests in all of our equipment that sits for a while, we actually found one INSIDE the engine on the lawn mower this past year, had to tear it down to get it out
#12
#13
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Yep, the worst thing you can do to a vehicle is not drive it.
Check the entire air intake path (not just the box, check the tubes all the way from the fender to the throttle body) for obstuctions caused by small animals using it for shelter over the winter.
Also, condensation can form in the gas tank over time, leaving you with watery gas, especially if the fuel level was low when it was parked (more air space == more condensation). Dump in a can of SeaFoam, top off the tank with fresh gas, then take it for a 5 or 10 mile drive to give the SeaFoam a little time to "do its thing"...
Can't rule out larger issues, but let's eliminate the cheap, simple stuff first.
Check the entire air intake path (not just the box, check the tubes all the way from the fender to the throttle body) for obstuctions caused by small animals using it for shelter over the winter.
Also, condensation can form in the gas tank over time, leaving you with watery gas, especially if the fuel level was low when it was parked (more air space == more condensation). Dump in a can of SeaFoam, top off the tank with fresh gas, then take it for a 5 or 10 mile drive to give the SeaFoam a little time to "do its thing"...
Can't rule out larger issues, but let's eliminate the cheap, simple stuff first.
Last edited by coreybv; 03-01-2011 at 02:39 PM.
#14
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I'm still inclined to believe driving the vehicle off a cliff is the worst thing you can do to a vehicle. LOL
But no seriously, I definitely agree with possible water in the tank. I've made that mistake, I've fixed it, and I've learned not to let my baby girl sit without running at least once a week.
Give her a fill up of some mid-grade gas with that can of SeaFoam to make sure it runs it's course. A little up in octane can't do too much other than hurt the wallet a bit.
But no seriously, I definitely agree with possible water in the tank. I've made that mistake, I've fixed it, and I've learned not to let my baby girl sit without running at least once a week.
Give her a fill up of some mid-grade gas with that can of SeaFoam to make sure it runs it's course. A little up in octane can't do too much other than hurt the wallet a bit.
#15
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![Smile](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
(Also, just a little tip I figured out. If you pour in the SeaFoam before the fillup, the gas pouring into the tank will help get everything all mixed together, giving you faster results. If you dump it in after the fillup, it takes a good deal longer to work.)
Last edited by coreybv; 03-01-2011 at 03:13 PM.
#16
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alright sounds good. i just hit the o2 sensors with the torch and checked my oil. o2 sensors looked fine but burnt them anyway. the oil however was different than i thought. i expected maybe some water spots in it on the dipstick but there were none so no antifreeze. the thing that caught my eye really quick was how little oil i had. it was close to not even being on the dipstick. so i added some but didnt have enough at home to completely fill it. ill be buying some along witht the sea foam later. but could that cause the exhaust to smell weird?
#17
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No, not really.
But old gas that's varnished up can definitely cause an odd smell in the exhaust. Don't know how to describe it, but I instantly recognize it. My lawn mower usually has a slightly "off" odor to the exhaust the first time I fire it up in the spring....
The SeaFoam should also help a great deal with that.
But old gas that's varnished up can definitely cause an odd smell in the exhaust. Don't know how to describe it, but I instantly recognize it. My lawn mower usually has a slightly "off" odor to the exhaust the first time I fire it up in the spring....
The SeaFoam should also help a great deal with that.
Last edited by coreybv; 03-01-2011 at 03:32 PM.
#18
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That's good there's nothing in the oil but is the coolant reservoir full and not low? Ensure this by taking it on a trip and letting it heat up. Hopefully the white smoke and weird smell was just the engine burning some crap off. As long ad it doesn't overheat and the coolant doesn't disappear you're good.
Tap the CAT convertor and if it continues to smoke and smell weird I'd get a back pressure test. Could be a clogged CAT causing the smoke and smell.
Tap the CAT convertor and if it continues to smoke and smell weird I'd get a back pressure test. Could be a clogged CAT causing the smoke and smell.
#19
#20
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That's good there's nothing in the oil but is the coolant reservoir full and not low? Ensure this by taking it on a trip and letting it heat up. Hopefully the white smoke and weird smell was just the engine burning some crap off. As long ad it doesn't overheat and the coolant doesn't disappear you're good.
Tap the CAT convertor and if it continues to smoke and smell weird I'd get a back pressure test. Could be a clogged CAT causing the smoke and smell.
Tap the CAT convertor and if it continues to smoke and smell weird I'd get a back pressure test. Could be a clogged CAT causing the smoke and smell.