2001 hyundai accent loses power going uphill

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2001 hyundai accent loses power going uphill

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2001 hyundai accent loses power going uphill - 9/8/2008 3:52:42 PM

sweetielight

Posts: 4
Joined: 9/8/2008
Status: offline

Hi everyone:
I am new to hyundaiforum, I have some problems with my 2001 hyundai accent stick shift, and am hoping to get some guidance here on what to do. The main problem with the vehicle is that it loses power going uphill, it seems to do find on level ground, though it doesn''t seem to accelerate to the speed it should, but it gets 70-75 mph. However, going uphill, it loses power significently, it gets 50 mph max, and sometimes 30 mph on a steep hill. There is also a rapid "clink, clink" sound comes out of the front end of the car (somewhere under the hood) when I use a high gear with low speed, like if I drive 10 mph with the 3rd gear, it will make the sound, and the sound goes away when I do gain the speed to 25-30 mph, or 20 mph with the 4th gear, same thing. I had replaced mass air flow sensor, but that didn''t fix the problem. I read about checking for vacuum leak with exhaust system, but I don''t know how (well, I don''t understand how it can be vacuum, since it''s a exhaust system, that air comes in and goes out). Any advice is greatly appreciated on how to check for vacuum leak, or what else could be wrong with my car!!!
Thanks, :)

Post #: 1

RE: 2001 hyundai accent loses power going uphill - 9/8/2008 5:42:51 PM

ken99

Posts: 666
Status: offline

I suspect the loss of power is your catalytic converter has become partially plugged. The cling, cling you hear is the platinum medium inside coming apart and rattling around. It should generate an error code, turning the check engine light on. Yes, it will only get worse if this is the problem.

(in reply to sweetielight)

Post #: 2

RE: 2001 hyundai accent loses power going uphill - 9/9/2008 11:34:21 AM

sweetielight

Posts: 4
Joined: 9/8/2008
Status: offline

Hi Ken:

Thank you so much for your reply!!! Like you mentioned, the problem is getting worse and worse, I was able to do 70 uphill before, then it dropped to 60, now 50 for the most part... I will defenitely have the catalytic converter replaced, or replace it myself if I can, after some research on how to... Thanks again!!!

:)

(in reply to ken99)

Post #: 3

RE: 2001 hyundai accent loses power going uphill - 9/9/2008 11:38:13 AM

sweetielight

Posts: 4
Joined: 9/8/2008
Status: offline

oh, and yes, the check engine light is on... I read the code off of it before, dont'' remember what it is now, I remember researching it off of the web, but returned too many possibilities of what was wrong, so I left it alone...

(in reply to sweetielight)

Post #: 4

RE: 2001 hyundai accent loses power going uphill - 9/9/2008 12:04:02 PM

ken99

Posts: 666
Status: offline

How many miles are on the car? Hyundai cars carry a number of warrenties, most owner''s forget that there is a seperate 8 year/80,000 mile Federal emission warrenty which covers the catalytic convertor. If the car has less than 80K on the odometer, I suggest you contact a dealer about have this replaced under that special warrenty.

(in reply to sweetielight)

Post #: 5

RE: 2001 hyundai accent loses power going uphill - 9/9/2008 2:26:41 PM

sweetielight

Posts: 4
Joined: 9/8/2008
Status: offline

I already put 133,000 miles on it... but thank you very much for the information! :) By the way, is it difficult to change the catalytic converter on the accent? I was only able to grab the following information off of the web, if this is the way to replace it, I might have to take it to a shop. I thought it will just be a piece that I take off, and screw on the new one. :) Didn''t know welding is required...

============
it would be very hard. you may need a professional to do that.it is in line with your exhaust system. it is a piece of metal just like a muffler but a little bit smaller and it is located between the engine and the muffler. you will need to cut that piece and weld back a new one on your exhaust pipes which would require you to use acetyline torches.be carefull if you would DIY.============

(in reply to ken99)

Post #: 6

RE: 2001 hyundai accent loses power going uphill - 9/9/2008 4:03:05 PM

ken99

Posts: 666
Status: offline

I did a q&d search on the internet and came up with this source:

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_parts/catalytic_converter/hyundai/accent.html

Shows both flange mounted and weld-on units, some variation depending on which engine you have. You have to look at your particular car to see what type you have. If you have to get one that welds on, any reliable muffler shop should be able to provide that service at a nominal cost. Also, depending on the error codes you originally pulled up, you may have to replace one or both of the heated O2 sensors.

Good luck.

(in reply to sweetielight)

Post #: 7

RE: 2001 hyundai accent loses power going uphill - 9/26/2008 4:21:00 PM

PaulyDaCracka

Posts: 2
Joined: 9/26/2008
Status: offline

Just loosen your exhaust wherever is easiest (where the header connects to your exhaust there should be 2 bolts, hit them with PB and loosen) and test drive. It will sound like a stock car but your just going to do this for 1 test run. If your power is back then yes, your cats have come apart. ;*)

(in reply to ken99)

Post #: 8