Is there any clear way to determine the cause of power loss? I had my carb rebuilt last year and the mechanic told me I would need to have my fuel tank cleaned soon. At that time the car would stall momentarily and not accelerate. This has gotten worse, now it is as if the car is not getting any gas at all. When I press the gas the engine revs but the car does not move at all. After a while it will move. The last time I had her out she barely made it around the block and she cut off while climbing the driveway into the garage. Is the fuel system the logical cause? How difficult is it to replace the fuel tank? I have done some work on my car in the pass but nothing this major. Any advice or other explanations as to what could be the cause of power loss?

 

If the engine rpm's are increasing but the car isn't moving any faster, something's wrong with your transmission.

 

+1

There may be a fuel problem, but it sounds like you have a transmission problem.

 

We're all agreed then, if this is an automatic, check your fluid level. If not you may be needing a clutch.

 

fuel pump perhaps? i have this thing with my car that sounds similar to this. right as i let of the clutch, and have my foot on the gas, car kinda bogs for a second, and is worse when its cold. my RPMS do go up somtimes with no acceleration, but not very high or that long. mabeye its the same sorta prob. i have a manual btw.
hope you figure this out

 

check your tranny fluid. If you are low, very low, it will respond that way. Check it with tranny in park, with the motor running, warmed up. Dip stick is on the back side of the motor. If it's full, your tranny is toast.

As for your fuel problem, sounds like you got rust in the gas tank. A generic fuel filter will at least keep it away from the carb. Rust in the carb will also cause a loss of power, but not in the way you're discribing it. If the motor is rev'ing and your not moving, it's a tranny.

 

She was extremely low on fluid "practically empty". Added two quarts and she is purring again, will have her drained and filter replaced soon. Thanks!

 

With a manual, unless you have clutch or tire slip, it's impossible for the rpm's to increase without increasing speed.