Car freaking out!

ChrisBrand

Staff - Legal
Staff member
I know its a long shot especially over the weekend but here's the deal.

Every time i come near my gas pedal or try to overtake a car the car cuts out and powers on then cuts out then powers on again. Then when i slow down and try to go the cars splutters, gargles (don't know exactly how to explain) it sounds like the whole exhaust is blocked and theres absolutely no power. When i stop and the car idles it shakes uncontrolably.
But when i switch the car off and back on everything is normal till the car sees a hill or has to give any effort and then does all this again.

Its seriously irritating and im scared if i continue to drive it may damage the engine.

Any help please. Thanks in advance.
 

ChrisBrand

Staff - Legal
Staff member
If its the MAF im burning down the place i bought it from a month ago. Won't name as its just speculation for now. Have to service car on Monday so will have codes read but just wanted to know if im in for a nasty surprise
 

Twinz

Forum - Support
Staff member
Ya fuel pump or the fact that cats are missing. The latter is my guess.
 

M318is - zn

New member
had a similar problem with my e36 msport. problem was the crankcase breather hose, it becomes soft and accumulate an oily residue, its like trying to breath through a straw with your finger blocking the other end...not gona work, eventually it will squish itself together thus creating lack of power under load and erratic idle...

sorry 4 the lame analogy, im no expert just my 2c :dunno:
 

ChrisBrand

Staff - Legal
Staff member
i hope its something as simple as replacing a pipe. Im not sure if it is the MAF as when i drive like a 80 year old theres nothing wrong. Excuse the terminology because i know you only talk about turbo cars under load, but when you put the engine under load or really give it stick the car just gulps and then its like a vacuum sucked the exhaust and all leading pipes shut and the car just gargels every time you try to push the accelerator and theres no power and the revs climb very slowly.

Will take it for a Diagnostic Test tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for the input. Every comment helps. And being Cape Town its raining the entire week so its not like i can thoroughly check.
 

ChrisBrand

Staff - Legal
Staff member
It feels like there is something clogging the pipes. Or Twinz is right. Cats are missing in the neigbourhood cause they took refuge in my pipe and every time i hit the gas they tumble back and clog the exhaust. I just searched youtube. Theres a video on how to clean icv. Maybe a little job to do tomorrow and check if it helps.
 
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