i have a 2000 automatic cav (OHV)
whenever i hit 3rd gear when im "gettin it" it seems that third gear just sucks, sort of like coming out of hyper space...
first and second are decent (for an OHV) but third just dies. i dont remember it being like this in the past.
im over 100K miles, and im trying to keep up on maintenance. let me know what you think.
It may be getting a bit "tired" from hard work over the last 100,000 miles, depending on how often it "gets it".
If you haven't changed it for a while, change the fuel filter. Even being partially restricted can cause a noticeable loss in performance. Same goes for the air filter. Typically this is noticeable in lower gears too, but it's got more work to do as the gears get steeper and the speed increases.
Also, with the automatic, it MAY apply the lock-up on the torque converter once into third gear - eliminating the torque multiplication that was present in the other gears. I don't think that it SHOULD do this under heavy throttle, but I'm not sure. I've only driven 5-speed versions of our cars.
Even with my 5-speed transmission and OHV engine, I think that I would need to be in a somewhat drug induced state to confuse its acceleration with anything like hyper space... when it was new or now after 207,000km. At least it has the ability to break the tires loose off the line, but it's something that I would have to do on purpose (only tried it once years ago to see - figured that was abusive enough).
i just changed out the fuel filter about 800 miles ago, along with a seafoam of the intake and exhaust, and a new K+N filter. i would assume its more transmission related, but im not an expert by any means with the trans especially. i wish i could just plug in a new one and test it... lol unfortunately its obviosuly not that easy.
then u dont have overdrive only the 4 speed trany has overdrive
exactly. its a 3 speed transmission, no overdrive. you hit third, you're running in a very economy tuned gear. either way, drop the pan and change the filter/fluid. im sure its due.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Saturday, February 16, 2008 12:38 PM
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i just drained and filled it, could the filter be causing the issue? i completely forgot about changing/ cleaning that.
yeah... change the filter, and the fluid. also, check your air and fuel filters. unfortunately, you have one of the slowest engine/trans/body combinations available for our cars... so i really don't know what you're expecting to gain out of your top gear.
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not much, im just not expecting to lose more than i have lol i just want to keep it running like new.
Perhaps you've just gotten "used" to the car, or driven something else with better performance. As parts wear, compression gets poorer, and parts can generally not perform quite as well as when new. It sounds like you've taken all of the normal steps to aid in maintaining performance or improving it as much as possible (while staying essentially stock).
If you had recorded performance numbers when new (0-60, 1/4 mile, etc), then you could compare to now to validate your assumption. Sometimes our "butt dynos" tend to get re-calibrated over time, and what used to seem "quick", no longer meets those standards.
If you can, see if you can find somebody who still has a Chevette around and take it for a spin. Your car will seem like a real powerhouse when you get back in! I had to drive my neighbor's 'Vette a few months ago - 0-60 time must be in the 20+ second range on a good day. Highway access is a rather scary chore that requires planning in those things! I'm glad GM improved what they had for their entry level offering by the time I bought my car! Too bad they weren't still priced like the old 'Vettes though... I guess not much could be expected for under $7000 brand new.
Chances are that your car is running as much "like new" as it's going to without any major work. I would still change the transmission filter, but don't expect much of a performance change from that.
I had the cylinder head rebuilt on my 2200 last year. It felt much better than before (valves and seats ground, all new valve guides, and head shaved slightly), but I had it done because of a burnt exhaust valve, so I was only running on about 3.25 cylinders before. I would expect some improvement just by getting the rest of that last cylinder working again. Hopefully no more expensive surprises for a while.
thanks for the explanation john. i know all about the butt dyno thing, but im not relating this to a performance scenario as much as it just flat out seems to fall on its face when it hits third. i dont think it was ever like this before, but im also starting to burn oil... so its not looking like good times for this car anyway, i really need to find the money to just swap out for an eco or something better. or just get enough money for a new car. til then its cavalier ftw. lol
