Good day all,

New here and was checking things out. I looked around to see if anyone else has had this issue, but came up empty.

I have a 2005 T&C, 3.8, 144,000 miles. Has been maintained over and above what is usually needed.

Took a 800 mile trip last weekend, and was driving some steep hills and noticed a lack of power from about 40 to 60 mph,about 2000 to 4000 rpm, (never went higher than 4000 rpm), when a load is placed on the vehicle. Now I had 2 adults, 4 kids and a bunch of bags and a cooler in the van. So I thought it was just cause of all the stuff being loaded down.

But over the past week this has becoming worse. Last night after coming off of a exit ramp from a highway, when I stopped the van at a light, it idle very rough, like someone was bouncing up and down in van. Drove off and idle corrected itself. There are no faults in the engine computer, the check engine light is off. The transmission is shifting in all gears, and fluid is not burnt, and is changed every 30,000 miles. The is one of the T&C's that doesn't have a EGR valve. Which I thought when the power was gone, that the valve had bit the dust. But there isn't one there!

Also fuel mileage is down at least 25 %

Fuel pump is about 2 years old, and I have about 48psi fuel pressure. Spark plugs and wires also about 2 years old. engine idles normally except last night for first time, and revs freely when in neutral. Wheels spin freely, no calipers hanging up or sticking. Alignment is dead on just done 3 weeks ago, no tire wear. Air filter is new, oil is new and always synthetic from the 2nd oil change on. And changed every 4000 miles.

Is it possible that I have a cracked flexplate? I have heard under load, they can flex at cracks causing timing issues and lack of power, sometimes not setting a fault until they are really out of whack.

Anyone have any insight or similar issues?

 

From reading these usually turn out to be a clogged cat. Consider having it pressure tested by a competent shop. I'll second the flex plate/timing issue. I've read the same on all counts. Usually you'll hear an intermittent tick or scrape noise from that area. 05 41te's may still have an inspection cover you can remove to get a look at the plate. All that said, make sure the basics are good before heading there. Check battery, sensor, PCM, IPM, spark plug, coil connections for corrosion/security. 48 PSI is a tad low but not gross. Should be around 55. Keep it in your back pocket for now.

 

Raptor 07, took out the cat, clogged. Replaced with a Walker unit. Ran runs like new! Thanks for the insight!

 

I should be reading about clogged cats on 2nd and 3rd generation vans and not so much on 4th gen vans. Wonder whats up. Anyway, good to hear things are lookin up.