I've got a problem that I can't seem to diagnose. The car is a 1994 Formula. It was not running when I bought it and had been sitting for a while...not exactly sure how long. After towing it home, I installed a new optispark and got it running. It will run but once it reaches operating temps it has almost no poweer. Once warmed up, it labors to reach redline in park or neutral and power braking is impossible. The engine has good oil pressure, does not smoke or knock, and has good compression. No SES lights and no apparent misfires.

What would cause the engine to loose power once it reaches operating temps (160-180)?

 

Plugged cat?

 

Possibly the temp sensor in the water pump,the Pcm reads off that sensor..

 

no cat, new opti, new plugs & wires, new water pump, and new muffler.

thanks.

 

hmmm. I'll look into. If there was a problem, wouldn't it throw a code?

 

Coil or ICM are possibilities too. They can operate just fine when cold, but when they get too hot they can fail.

 

agreed. have the icm tested at autozone etc. or replace the coil, under 100 bucks and decently easy to do

 

Amazon has the OEM Delco coil for $20, if you can wait on shipping.

 

Yup, sounds like a coil to me.