Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Towing Power Issues

[CBlack]

I picked up a trailer with equipment on it a few weeks ago and returned it yesterday. The total weight was about 3500#.



While going up grade (not sure what, but it was the Beltway 8 shipping channel bridge in Houston and the Baytown bridge) my truck just seemed to not want to pull. I had cruise control set at 55 and at one point it just revved up to 2500rpm to gain power. Another time, not on cruise control, it felt like it was just going to loose it all together. Also, on the flat it seemed to struggle to take off, or at least struggle more than I was expecting.



I do not have gauges. The only mods (haven't put it in my sig yet) are a AEM Bruteforce intake and straight piped. The fuel filter is due to be changed now after this trip and the prefilter is about 5000 miles from needing to be changed.



Any ideas or input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GaryOwen]

Get that fuel filter changed and I'll bet that takes care of your problem.

 

[JoshKelly]

I would also check to make sure the timing hasn't slipped. A slip in timing would be more noticeable when under a heavier load.

 

[GAmes]

I had that same problem towing a trailer across NM. I shut it off at a rest area and when I went to restart it didn't happen. The rod had pulled out of the plunger of the fuel shut off solenoid. I fixed that and it fixed the low power problem. My theory is the plunger didn't pull the fuel shut off lever fully open. If you have never serviced yours the boot may be deteriorated and jammed in the spring or the plunger could be sticking. I discarded the boot about 400k miles ago. Every once in awhile I need to pull it apart, clean the plunger and bore (I use a shotgun brush) a little dry lubeand reinstall.



FWIW I replace the prefilter screen about every 100k, and that is probably too often.

 

[CBlack]

Thanks for the input everyone.

On another forum someone mentioned that the torque converter could possibly be slipping.

I have a lot to look into.