Engine hesitation & lack of power

[Guest]

I have a 99 Legacy TX - 2.0 non turbo - which I have posted about having some problems.

Basically I'm getting hesitations while accelerating, it seems to come and go - but most obviously it is around 3000rpm in 3rd gear.

It will be smooth then just drop power, the revs keep going up but theres a definite power drop.

Also, it is really gutless up hills - or if you give it gas when going slow, it takes a while to get going - and it's not that smooth through the revs.

Now I had a Knock sensor error in my ECU - I replaced the sensor and haven't had any errors since.

I took out the air sensor and cleaned it.

I ran injector cleaner thru the engine.

I have noticed oil on the spark plug sockets when I pull one out - I cleaned it off and it was back a few days later.

What are common things to cause this hesitation/lack of power issue? I know engine detonation can - but my knock sensor isn't logging anything. What does detonation sound like - would you notice it if it were happening?

Could it be the plugs? Or whatever is causing oil to get in there?

I need some more things to try to get her running sweet.

[jacsmiley]

how many Ks on the clock and when was the cambelt done last?

does it smoke much cold/warm?

[slystiguy]

its not a slipping clutch is it ? just cause you said how the revs go up an theres no power ? if it is you should notice it does it in 5th worst

[Guest]

Thanks guys.

No smoke at all - has done 128000kms, cambelt was done about 1000 ago just before I bought it.

Definitely not a slipping clutch.

I'm thinking it must be something to do with either the computer limiting it, due to a sensor being wrong - or the spark.

Still not sure

[Guest]

My cousin reckons it's worth checking the compression, I'm going to see if my friend's dad has a tester.

I guess I might as well do plugs at the same time seeing as it's going to be a mission to get to them~!