shortlid Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 Well about a month ago I replace the plugs with platnium NGK's and replace dthe ATF and spin on filter in my Mom's '03 GT sedan. All was well when I test drove it and she took it for a 2.5 hour drive back to Brewster, NY. Well after having it home for two weeks she said it had starting hesitation merging into traffic and geting on the highway? Now a week latter she says it will barly pull out of te drive way. She presses the accelerator but the engine does not rev? Said it rolled backwards a bit at the crest of our driveway. Now I have to wreck a weekend driving 2.5 hours down to see what is wrong with it? Any ideas anyone?? I brough a fuel filter and gas treatment with me if it is bad gas. I will check the ATF fluid level, and the plugs again?? Air filter was in great shape when I looked at it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 have her check the ATF before you make the long trip? Any check engine light? autozone/advanced/other places will read those for free. reach around all the spark plug wires while the engine is running and see if she gets shocked!? i like to replace the plugs and wires at the same time. these engines get funky when you start pulling off wires and reinstalling them. they can be unforgiving. make sure they are seated perfectly or just take a spare set with you. aftermarkets won't work either if you suspect the wires when you get there. i've seen brand new ones cause the same problem you're describing. it's subaru or Magnecor for the wires. the treatment and ATF is a good call. take that fuel treatment/water absorbing stuff with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 [...]She presses the accelerator but the engine does not rev? Said it rolled backwards a bit at the crest of our driveway.[...]I will check the ATF fluid level,[...] Since I don't know your mom, I have to ask: Does she know the difference between the engine not responding to throttle, and the trans not delivering power (slipping)? If it's slippage, checking the ATF would be a good first step. If the level is low, look around the spin-on filter you replaced. Perhaps the gasket isn't sealing correctly, or the filter can crimp is imperfect, etc., causing a slow leak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted July 12, 2008 Author Share Posted July 12, 2008 Since I don't know your mom, I have to ask: Does she know the difference between the engine not responding to throttle, and the trans not delivering power (slipping)? If it's slippage, checking the ATF would be a good first step. If the level is low, look around the spin-on filter you replaced. Perhaps the gasket isn't sealing correctly, or the filter can crimp is imperfect, etc., causing a slow leak. thanks for the great info as always. I am also bringing a extra spin on ATF filter to see if it is the issue. How much are a spark plug wire set at the stealership? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 I can't believe the engine would be doing this unless something is happening with the fuel delivery. Hopefully, this problem is just due to a small leak in the transmission area and the fluid is low because something didn't get tightened down correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted July 13, 2008 Author Share Posted July 13, 2008 You are exactly corect the spin on filter was not tightened down enough and was spaying out ATF. Tightened filter and added two 1/2 qts and like new agai:headbang: n! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Thanks for the update Shortlid. Glad it was a simple fix, though perhaps not real convenient for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 thanks for the great info as always. I am also bringing a extra spin on ATF filter to see if it is the issue. [...] [...]the spin on filter was not tightened down enough and was spaying out ATF. Tightened filter and added two 1/2 qts and like new agai:headbang: n!You're welcome. I'm glad it turned out well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted July 13, 2008 Author Share Posted July 13, 2008 You're welcome. I'm glad it turned out well. Do you think any damage to the tranny was done driving it maybe 20 miles low on fluid like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 probably not a good thing but if it's shifting and acting fine now that's a good sign. when lubrication of machines is compromised it wears them. but in situations like this i think it means something more along the lines of - this transmission isn't a prime candidate for 250,000 miles verses it's going to actually fail any time soon. i would have the fluid flushed, otherwise not much you can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I concur with your prognosis Dr. Grossgary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Do you think any damage to the tranny was done driving it maybe 20 miles low on fluid like that?It's hard to say for certain. ATF serves as a means of applying pressure to actuate mechanisms, but also as a lubricant and coolant. When trans fluid is low enough, reduced pressure leads to slippage, etc., and that can heat things which then can't be cooled properly. But as grossgary said "if it's shifting and acting fine now that's a good sign". How does the fluid on the dipstick smell and look? If it seems "burned" (which in 20 miles of running low is possible, but not that likely unless the car was driven hard), I'd do a complete flush/replacement with ATF and put on a new external filter. On the other hand, if the fluid still seems pretty fresh and there's no noticable operation problem, I wouldn't be too concerned. Just make sure the level is correct now and stays that way, and every so often ask your mom how it's working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDave Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I used to have a Chevy wagon with a front seal leak. It would let me know it was low on fluid by going into neutral as I was coming to a stop, then slowly go back into gear. Add a couple quarts of ATF, repeat in a couple months. I drove it like that for years and it's still going strong (new owner is a friend) with well over 300k miles. I wouldn't worry about your mom's car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 You are exactly corect the spin on filter was not tightened down enough and was spaying out ATF. Tightened filter and added two 1/2 qts and like new agai:headbang: n! Glad you found the problem and solved it. Really hope that no longterm damage was done. Grossgary's suggestion of a flush and fresh ATF is good. Also, it might be wise to put an inline filter, like a Magnefine, in the hose between the radiator and tranny. I enjoyed following this thread on another level too. It's great to be able to help friends and strangers with whatever bits of skills and knowledge we are blessed to have. But it's priceless to be able to help the person who gave each of us more than we'll ever be able to know or appreciate . . . Mom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 [...]Also, it might be wise to put an inline filter, like a Magnefine, in the hose between the radiator and tranny.For an earlier trans, that's not a bad idea. The external spin-on filter on the phase-2 4EATs does a pretty good job on smaller particles (the internal screen will catch the big ones, but if it does, there's probably serious damage already ). A magnet such as in the Magnefine will sometimes help, but hopefully the 20 miles didn't "liberate" too much ferrous material. [...]It's great to be able to help friends and strangers with whatever bits of skills and knowledge we are blessed to have. But it's priceless to be able to help the person who gave each of us more than we'll ever be able to know or appreciate . . . Mom!Do it while you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted July 13, 2008 Author Share Posted July 13, 2008 Yep, shifting better than ever and fluid looks GREAT!! Hope we worst is behind us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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