If your vehicle is showing sudden loss of power accompanied by a loud pop under the hood, here are the most likely causes and the parts you'll need to fix each one.
On turbocharged engines, pressurized intake pipes can blow off their fittings with a loud pop, causing an immediate massive boost leak and loss of power. This frequently happens if clamps aren't tightened properly after recent maintenance or tuning.
A spark plug can strip its threads and shoot out of the cylinder head with a loud pop, resulting in a sudden loss of power, a misfire, and a loud ticking or exhaust sound. This is often due to improper torque during installation.
A degraded radiator hose can burst under pressure with a loud pop. The resulting high-pressure coolant spray can soak the drive belts causing them to slip, leading to a sudden loss of power steering and alternator output, followed by overheating.
A severe engine misfire, lean condition, or timing issue can cause a backfire into the intake manifold. The loud pop can crack the plastic manifold or blow off attached vacuum hoses, causing a massive vacuum leak and power loss.
A connecting rod breaking and punching a hole through the engine block will cause a loud bang or pop, followed by an immediate, total loss of engine power and usually a massive oil leak.