Hey all,

So my week-old '89 sx runs like a cheap lawnmower. After two general diagnostics at local garages I still have no idea what the problemo is.

The car shifts perfectly but has serious power problems. (Getting to 55mph takes a while).

Symptoms:

• The throttle seems a tiny bit delayed. (might just be me)
• The car lurches/jerks/surges when remotely close to empty.
• The acceleration blows big time.

What works:

• Spark plugs are fine.
• No major oil leaks. (nothing big enough to make it to the ground)
• No weird noises (except for the head heatshield thing rattling and some ticking)

What should I look into next? Possible bad fuel injector(s)? Bad timing? Gunked up engine (I sea-foamed vacuum lines/fuel tank w/ a tiny increase in performance)?

Thanks for any info,
Alex

 

well, if you have the stock engine, its a single cam. and these werent very powerful to begin with, let alone 18 years later. some single cams nowadays make like 90 hp at the wheels. if you seriously consider making performance upgrades, my first step would be to get a good start, either in the form of a low mileage DOHC, or swap engines.

 

sounds like a fuel pump or filter. possibly mafs

 

sounds like a vacuum leak to me. maybe you forgot to connect one of the lines or reconnected them wrong.

 

lol SOHC dyno less my DOHC Dynoed 95hp to the wheels lol gona go begging of april to dyno my SR now im hoping for 250+whp

 

I know it's not a vacuum leak as I've checked extensively.

Didn't even think of the fuel pump/filter though - good idea.

Is there any way to test the pump/filter visually?

 

what are you talking about? mine has plenty of power with a few simple mods.

here's a time prove equation

a lot of power = a lot of money

if what you want is a bit more power start by improving the amount and velocity of the incoming air and out going exhaust.

 

probably compression loss

 

im puttin my money on the pump or filter. lol

 

i just remembered reading somewhere that after sea foaming your engine you need to replace the plugs. weather this is true or not i don't know but it's something to think about

 

i dont doubt the posibility of greater power from the KA, it can be nice, expecially with simple, meaningfull upgrades. but a bone stock one thats been worn a little bit has like 90 hp. so maybe its moreso that it only has a tiny amount of power.

 

tiny amount of power due to component failure ie bad maf, plugs, fuel injectors, pump....not age is what i'm thinking. it might even be a blown head gasket, but not age. at least i don't believe it to be so the ka is a one tough 4 banger.

 

Pump, filter, or age. Those are my 3 suggestions.

 

it could just be tired... if everything here doesnt work, and you dont want to swap, maybe a rebuild.??

 

timing is off......need a distributor.