97 Grand Am chugging and loosing power

[touchinglives]

I have a 97 Grand Am that chugs uphills and looses power. I has a horrible thrust to it and it only happens after it has been on the road for about 15 mins. or so. I have put in a new radiator which had a crack in it, changed spark spugs, new fuel filter and air filter and new spark plug boot which had went bad. Now I am lost and need help!!!

[red98grandamse]

What engine hun? 2.4 or 3.1? I don't think anyone can help you without knowing, unless one were to assume 2.4, which is my guess:) and welcome to the site btw:)

[b2089]

Is the check engine light on?

[touchinglives]

Thanks for answering so fast. 2.4 is the engine

[touchinglives]

The check engine light does come on usually but today on my way to work it did not. Alot of chugging and missing. Help!!!

[red98grandamse]

take it to autozone and have them read the codes off it. Bring a pad and paper with you to write down all the codes they say. The number part is the most important part, so atleast grab the code. If you can get the descrition of what the code means get it, otherwise we can look them up. Thats the surest way to tell where the problem is to help with further diagnosis.:)

[touchinglives]

Thanks, I just took it to a place and had them do a diagnostic test and they said my computer had been wiped clean. No Memory!!! Cant figure out why that happened. But he was nice enough to keep checking into the problem and said the #4 cylander miss fired 6 out of 100 each time. So that may be the problem. We are going to try new plugs this evening and see if that is the culprit. I hope so, the next thing it could be is a fuel pump$$$ Hope not.

[red98grandamse]

you said you changed plugs recently? what plugs did you put in? i mean brand...

our engines really dont care for many types of plugs, Id replace with the stock AC delco plugs if thats not whats in it.. that may be the problem, and I though that the code thrwon was probably just misfires, but guess gets one nowheres, esp over the net like this:)

good luck

[b2089]

Could it be the catalytic converter clogging up? How does one test that? It used to be you could crawl under the car and tap it with a hammer, if it rattle replace it.

Some cars only remember the codes as long as the light is on. Yours should remember past codes, even cleared. An obd2 on GMs keeps trouble codes all the way from the assembly line if the mechanic has a scanner that can read it. Autozone has them, they don't use them for their freebies though. You may have to visit the dealership to get the history codes read.

edit----------
Re-reading your post it looks like the misfire was probably the history code. When he said wiped he probably meant "cleared", as in told that the problem was fixed. Misfire codes can and sometimes do clear themselves. I'm told that the car does that assuming it was a temporary poor gas quality issue. Fuel contaminants can cause misfires and so can the plugs and wires.

[red98grandamse]

it sounds like a misfire. but to test the cat, usually one drills a small hole right before the cat, and if the idle changes at all its time for a new cat.

[touchinglives]

Thanks for all the advice. I will let you know if the new plugs fix the problem.