Kind of an odd question about power loss.....

[rsmithdrift]

So, I finally figured something out today, but it really confused me.

I've noticed several times that after I've gotten stuck in gridlock stop/slow traffic.. you know, the kind where you're constantly dogging the clutch because at 2mph you can't fully let it out or push it in...... Anyways, after doing this for a extended period of time, my car looses power. DRAMATICALLY.

But what brings up questions is that this is the ONLY time it ever does it. It does it all the time as I get stuck in that kind of traffic like once a month. And I just today put it together that the massive bogging powerloss was related to my being in traffic alot.

Let me describe the symptoms a little better.... after riding at a extremely slow speed in not moving traffic for an extended time (like 30min or more), when I get back on the gas, the car doesn't want to go. And giving it more gas does not make it accelerate quicker, but only makes it make more noise. It honestly feels like I have a flat 50hp from 2krpm all the way to 6k rpm. Also the engine note is distinctly different, and the car smells different (the exhaust smell) If I didn't know anybetter I'd say it's running pig rich. That or the timing is drastically retarded...

The guages all read normal, and there are no codes, I run 25* ignition timing, 93 octane, and the only other problem it has is that it'll stall sometimes when I put the clutch in.....but that's just my ICV needing cleaned. The car usually pulls really really hard and strong. And the clutch is an OEM replacement with > 10,000 miles on it.

Why would extended idling, > 1500 rpm driving cause the engine to run so bad?? I just don't understand that.