Sudden loss of Power! Help!

[SeaGreenGS]

Hi Folks,<p>Bare with me on this one as I tell my tale. About 2 months ago, I had some work done on my exhaust system. Pipe between the muffler and the tail pipe muffler was replaced. All was well, increased HP, fantastic response. Thought all my problems were far away. Now for the last two weeks, as soon as I've been driving for about 45mins. I'll hear this fulttering sound and I get an instant loss of power! Increasing the revs. gets me out of the problem, and as long as the revs are above 3k I'm fine as soon as I slow down, the problem comes back. Changed the plugs, oil, (was smoking abit so added some stop smoke & sealer), fuel filter, but still the problem continues. <p>Like I said she screams like a bat out of hell (hope I'm not dating myself here) for the 1st 45mins. then the frustration sets in. <p>I've check the exhaust line thinking it was the heat expansion that was creating a hole, but have not found one.<p>Any ideas, or similar tales of woe would be greatly appreciated. <p>Thanks in advance for all inputs and offers of support .....

[Hy300]

which section was replaced, the piece connecting the Catalytic convertor to the muffler?<p>It sounds like one of your exhaust gaskets is leaking a bit, just the one that was replaced. Try tightening the bolts a little bit more by hand. I believe it's a 14mm nut and bolt.

[Bri94GS]

Yea i was going to suggest the same thing. Sounds like an exhaust leak to me. Does the idle flutter when you aren't on the gas? Or is it just a noise?<p>[ June 18, 2003: Message edited by: Bri94GS ]</p>

[SeaGreenGS]

Thanks a bunch guys ... will be checking it out first thing, and yeah it was the pipe between the catl. conv. and the tail muffler ...

[SeaGreenGS]

It also flutters at idle ... increasing the revs. makes the problem go away, until the next stop. <p>Been getting odd stares from cops at lights.

[Guest]

ya dude that is almost for sure something of a hole in your exhaust, I had one start a few weeks ago and was like whatever Im gonna upgrade after my ze swap. Well last friday I was pulling out onto a main road and bam the pipe snapped! oh and it doesnt matter the rpm then, its just louder then hell!" :p So ya check if you have a hole or a crack!

[Hy300]

check the flanges and gasket first, tighten up those bolts. When you change exhaust gaskets or put on new exhaust parts you should torque them down first, then tighten them again after a few days of driving to make sure there are no leaks.<p>I don't think you have a hole or crack in your exhaust pipe.

[SeaGreenGS]

Yeah I'm leaning towards that Hy, the car was real sweet after the new install ... drove it down to Minn. and back from Ont. What a ride and a rush ... and never once did I have any problems with power.

[phr34k]

you may have cracked the muffler away from the cat conv. i did the same thing. its real cheap to replace but you might as well buy new exhaust and cat etc.

[SeaGreenGS]

Excellent point Ty ... thanks ...

[Bri94GS]

Let me recommend the Pacesetter cat-back exhaust. You can get a new one from JCWhitney.com for about $170usd i think? 3-year warantee.