Van sputter and hesitation after hauling a##.

[Cornato]

I was late for work today and was speeding, around 85-87 mph. For a few good miles or so. And when I let off the gas and pressed the gas again, I instantly felt it lose power. At the light it sounded like it was gonna die on me. It feels like a John Deer and sounds like one. A horse and buggy could beat me off the line. No power no acceleration, sounds and feels terrible. It vibrates a lot, like visibly shaking if viewed from the outside.

Now I thought the problem was because 2 days earlier I seafoamed the crankcase. But as soon as I got off work I changed the oil. And it didn't fix it. But my power steering started working!!

I'm thinking fuel filter but I don't want to drop the tank if I don't have to. Help.

[timsrv]

Please elaborate on "it sounds like a John Deere". Could you hear lifter noise (clickity clack)?

[Cornato]

I guess, I'm not sure. I've never heard a lifter noise before. It sounds like an old boat. Like a rhythmic cough, plop plop plop plop plop....etc. Sort of like how a super tuned dragster sounds when idling. My friend thinks I have a dead cylinder and it's just on 3 that's why it's so weak. I'm about to change the plugs and check vacuum hoses right now. I also order new wires, air filter, and fuel filter.

We hope it didn't jump timing or burn a valve. I'll let you know more later.

[timsrv]

If the oil pressure was gone it would make lifter noise and you might also hear rod knocks. If it was close to seizing up then the power would really suck too. That's probably not it though, was the temperature normal?

[Cornato]

Yes, temp was norm. I'm thinking it was vacuum hose the busted loose. Because I can hear a sucking or hissing sound from the engine bay when the hood is up.

That makes sense to me. I was going fast=high rpms=high vacuum. Then I just let off the gas completely=less vacuum-aka- more pressure=a ruptured or crack hose.

Is my logic correct here?

[timsrv]

Yes, it's true that a vacuum leak will make the van suck for power and can cause it to run rough. Check your air tube to the throttle body too. Tim

[Cornato]

Wrong, my logic was flawed.

Why I don't know. I just replaced all the hoses I saw coming off the engine. They were hard and brittle and I thought I saw a crack in one hose. But They did nothing.

I replaced the spark plugs and hoses, except the brake booster hose, but it's still putt-putting. Tomorrow I'll replace the air filter and spark plug wires.

I'm narrowing down what the problem could be, but also running out of solutions.

I'll try to take video and post it so you can see what I'm taking about.