my Q45 is slow... :(

[whabbahead9]

Ever since my Y33 overheated on the way home from buying it, it has been painfully slow. I was thinkinng it was the transmission but there are things that make me think otherwise. For example it makes no broken transmission-type noises, doesn't make any smells (dont know if that's a symptom or not, just an observation), and it maintains speed just fine, just accelerates painfully slow, especially up inclines ( also I live in FL so nothing is very steep),. Also I have not checked the fluid in the transmission properly because I'm not sure how. I do have the Q45 FSM but I have not gone through and checked for the proper steps and was hoping someone could just tell me.

[yodawill2000]

High temps may have cracked the Knock sensors.
Have you checked the ECU for codes ?

[whabbahead9]

High temps may have cracked the Knock sensors.
Have you checked the ECU for codes ?

where are the knock sensors? Also I don't have a CEL.

[whabbahead9]

checked the codes... and i got 7.

P1320 system misfire
P0325 knock sensor 1
P0330 knock sensor 2
P1320 again
P0325 again
U3FFF ???
P0330 again

Please help

[qship96]

Yep,a boatload of problems right there.Misfire is most likely coilpacks causing it to run on less than 8 cylinders along with retarded timing due to faulty knock sensors.......enough to turn a non fast car into a slug,add heavy boat anchor big aftermarket wheels to all the above and you get super slow acceleration.

[whabbahead9]

I understand the knock sensor problem. Also I realize it won't be easy/cheap to fix. But is there any way to tell from the codes which cylinders are misfiring?

[Mopar]

the sluggish acceleration is due to the KS issue. I know what you mean when you say especially on the inclines. I have HAD this ISSUE. It's a major one. Because besides all the annoying things you mentioned, it is also messing up your engine in more than one way.

To change the KS you will need about $300 worth of stuff and a lot of patience. I did the change myself and cleaned and replaced almost everything in between. My car runs like new now.

Take care of it. You will save your car and $ on gas.

[qship96]

A misfiring cylinder is much worse than knock sensors,as far as power loss and potential engine damage goes!

[whabbahead9]

I am a very unorganized person and also I don't belive my mechanicing skills are up to snuff enough to do this fix. About how much would I expect to spend if I took this to a shop to fix all of it?

[whabbahead9]

It also uses coolant and overheats occasionally. Also I think it runs hotter than normal during normal driving conditions, the needle on the temp gauge reads about in the middle of the arc, and also the coolant bubbles when the car is up to temp.

[qship96]

sounds like a major set of issues going on.Is the coolant leaking on the ground? If not,you may have a blown head gasket-check the condition of the motor oil,is it milky? Any sweet smelling white smoke coming out the exhaust tail pipe?

[whabbahead9]

I guessed that. no. also I feared that. the oil is fine. and only on start-up

[qship96]

Coolant levels dropping means it is either leaking externally, or internally inside the engine{which is a much,much bigger problem and probably not worth repairing} at this point,I would take it to a professional and get that question answered- it will probably help you decide whether to invest $$$$ into the car or scrap it.

[whabbahead9]

well that's unfortunate I really love this car and already have $$$ invested...

[elwesso]

Honestly I don't think dropping in a new engine would be that big of a deal, you can find used engines pretty easy and the good news is that you'd have an engine with many good parts on it.... I'm with the others, I would just swap an engine in rather than try and resurrect this.

More importantly, you need to figure out what caused the overheat... Radiator?

[whabbahead9]

Originally it was a bad radiator. But I replaced that aswell as the thermostat and thermostat housing as it was warped from overheating.

[elwesso]

VH series engines don't fare too well with overheats, especially if it overheated more than once. I'd cut to the chase and get a new engine.

[whabbahead9]

I think what I'm going to do is pull the original engine, put a newish engine in, then build up the original engine over time for turbo.

[BCC93QT]

Get rid of the coilovers and eurolines for a mint engine? Your Q is still going to be slow with that 4.1. Plop a 4.5 in there!!!

[maxnix]

Originally it was a bad radiator. But I replaced that aswell as the thermostat and thermostat housing as it was warped from overheating.

That engine is toast then with that severe an overheat.

[whabbahead9]

Well I guess I'm just going to find a new engine then.

[davalad]

I live in Louisville, KY and have a 94 Q45A with 174,000 miles. I have loved this car for over 15 years. I no longer have the active suspension. It works but the hydraulic system "leaks" over a week or so. I have replaced 6 of the injectors and the engine is STRONG. I changed the oil about a month ago and "thought" I had latched the hood. I pulled onto the interstate ramp and kicked it...thats when I realized the latch was not latched as my hood wrapped around my windshield and I saw about $800 disappear. I would like to find someone who will give my car a good home. I'm asking $1,250. David Adams 502-495-6701