'88 240 won't accelerate in gear

[seaboxer]

Hey,

It appears my little tank is showing its age. What is happening is that the transmission shifts on acceleration but there is no power making it to the wheels. "It won't get out of its own way" as they say. It has a muffled noise as if the air or fuel are starving or the exhaust system has blockage. I replaced the fuel filter and the air cleaner is fine. It will only get up to about 50 mph and although it doesn't sound healthy, there is no smoke or misfiring. I am thinking the catalytic converter may have collapsed but also looking for other possibilities. Maybe transmission slippage or something else. The vacuum seems fie as the car shifts quite readily when I put the gas pedal to the floor.

Thanks in advance

[rgk]

Check your in-tank fuel pump and fuel pressure. Also check to make sure your air box thermostat is not stuck closed. Is your engine warming up to standard operating temperature, or does it remain cold while driving? If it remains cold, your thermostat is stuck open. All these things create loss of power.