93 XLT back from garage something wrong

[2000SL2]

'93 XLT 4X4 automatic, 127,000 miles. It sat for two months while I saved up to get it fixed (bad head gasket, pressurized coolant and leaked into cylinder). Had the heads resurfaced, head gaskets replaced, front brake lines replaced and inspected. Passed inspection with no problems. Drove it the two miles home yesterday and it didn't seem to have power. The engine didn't seem to want to pull hard. The wife drove it today and turned back after only a mile or so. She reports lack of power, a clicking noise in the front end which she described as a card in bicycle spokes, and a sudden loud thud or boom coupled with a sudden jerk. After that it made no more noises or jerking. The engine seems to run/idle fine other than the lack of power. Checked the fluids, all levels fine. I changed the tranny fluid a year ago. Fluid appears fine. I did notice the mechanic replaced the belt tensioner. No clue why, wasn't told about it and was not charged for it. No CEL or other warning lights in the dash came on. I'm thinking the tranny is the problem, but, it had no problems before. This really sucks because the spare car (Honda) died last weekend. So now we're left with nothing Any ideas? Thanks!

Brian

 

[Glacier991]

brakes dragging? When you let off on the gas does it coast normally?

 

[2000SL2]

I had that thought and tried coasting it. Everything seemed fine. I'll take it out again tomorrow to make sure though.

Brian

 

[jgilbs]

have you put new gas in? gas breaks down after awhile, and if your chief complaint is lack of power, this could be it since it was sitting for 2 months. try filling up with 87 octane and see if that helps any

 

[marragtop]

Did it have power before the head gaskets were done?

 

[2000SL2]

Yeah, it had power before the head gaskets were done. Dummy me, I didn't even think of the gas! But, would that really cause the truck to jerk like that? I'll definitely try new gas though. Thanks guys!

Brian

 

[marragtop]

To keep it simple, I'd start with checking vacuum lines. Check the connections at the vacuum tree on the drivers side of the intake by the firewall.