Gotta get to the bottom of this: Ultra sluggish Q45

[squeefoo]

This might sound really dumb... but I worked on a '98 Bonneville the other day, also very sluggish. Everything else was fine (it's the EXs car so I'm very fussy). The fuel press. reg. diaphragm was bad; if you pulled the vac. line it smelled like gas. turns out the dealer had a recall on it. Didn't help much, so I figured I'd clean the Throttle body -did that, then looked at the air filter and it was filthy, clogged with grass seed husks (mouse food). These might be worth looking at Wes, like Texoil said not long ago: think simple first........... - I forgot to!

[elwesso]

I checked the air filter on Jason's Q and its new-ish... I replaced the MAF I made sure to check that as well.....

I took an air filter off my grandparents cadillac, ORIGINAL at 35k miles, it was incredible... So much caked on crap I didnt know how it still ran.....

[squeefoo]

I forget why I replaced my FPR, if I remember right it also was sluggish (the car). Hope it's not : another plenum yank. I work on a lot of stuff, turns into a blur after 30+ years! Might be worth a look.

[Q45tech]

Never seen a FPR fail on Q, anyway your pressure test readings showed that not to be a problem!

[squeefoo]

Well i'm glad that's not it (see above) BTW, Wes -my daughter thinks you're cute. Forget it (she's 11), thought it might make you feel better though.

[elwesso]

LOL squee! I will not make any comments for fear of possible consequences...

Going back to the original problem... I just dont understand how carbon could get so built up on the valves.. When I had my plenum off the runners were caked with black stuff and RIGHT after the injectors they were clean as a whistle...... Like as new vs ultra caking....

[squeefoo]

look into the BG stuff it sounds good for that. don't know what to tell ya any more. really wish I knew more, or could be there for Ya.

[jamesmost]

hello again, my transmission shop checked out my Q he told me what i am experiencing in a slight bogdown off the line is a tired torqe convertor also told me that i will probably get a couple of more years out of my transmission, and that this transmission likes to be driven hard and that is why mine is still in good shape w/ over 170k on it. as well he has seen a couple of q's with 350k plus on transmission and motor. FYI i got pulled over last night and got a ticket for a modified muffler.

[Q45tech]

Doubt he has seen a couple of Q with 350k+ on the orginal motor or transmission..............250-275k on the engine maybe.

How does a torque convertor get tired [the lock up clutches can be seroiusly worn but they are not used in 1st or 2nd]? If a fin were to bend the out of baalance vibration would be quite noticeable and the unit would shake itself to death quickly!!!!!!!!!

Members have to learn to take most things they hear at shops even dealers with a grain of salt........Less than 1 in 1,000 knows very much about vehicles.

http://www.sonnax.com/bulletins/tech/TC-BW-697.pdf

[jamesmost]

pretty pompus post there, as u know any moving part especially where heat is involved will and does wear, do your reasearch speak to a good transmission guy and ask him to explain to u how a torque convertor can show signs of wear w/o vibrating

[duck3986]

I confirmed this morning that my bogging/sluggish issues are definitely affected by humidity and/or barometric pressure.

At first I thought it was my imagination, but it's a humid, drizzly day here in New Hampshire and my Q is really sluggish.

Any thoughts on why this might be?

One other question......I had my transmission replaced by Kelly Infiniti under warranty two years ago. When you get a rebuilt transmission installed by a dealer, do they also put in a new torque converter?

Don

[maxnix]

pretty pompus post there, as u know any moving part especially where heat is involved will and does wear, do your reasearch

A torque convertor is just a pump. Other than shaft hearings (and ignoring lock-up clutch), it would take millenia before the fluid would induce any wear, provided the fluid was kept fresh. The impurities introduced from the automatic transmission wear is the worst factor.
Modified by maxnix at 5:52 AM 12/23/2005

[maxnix]

I confirmed this morning that my bogging/sluggish issues are definitely affected by humidity and/or barometric pressure.

At first I thought it was my imagination, but it's a humid, drizzly day here in New Hampshire and my Q is really sluggish.

Any thoughts on why this might be?

One other question......I had my transmission replaced by Kelly Infiniti under warranty two years ago. When you get a rebuilt transmission installed by a dealer, do they also put in a new torque converter?

Don

I'd be checking my connectors and grounds. The RO should specify the part number for the transmission. Get a copy.

[jamesmost]

so what do u think, i assume as w/ my car that when u floor it she goes w/o bogging down (from a roll), i cleaned my MAF sensor last night w/ electrical residueless contact cleaner and noticed my car starts a little better but that is it

[squeefoo]

JAMES What have you fixed/ replaced/adjusted so far?Check all the basics, IE: TB clean- EGR clean - Timing - Fuel filter - Ck for vac. leaks (per FSM) - Check for codes - ETC.

[jamesmost]

havn't checked the egr checked everything else except knock sensors i still think my problem is torque convertor relatedgonna go check egr in a few minuteswhere by the throttle boby is it located

[jamesmost]

ok EGR does stall out car when i push on the diaphram, was told that when i pull it off it will look like it was full of pencil lead as well as the tube can this be cleaned or do i have to replace

[duck3986]

James,

How did you do this test? Did you pull the EGR valve?

Where is this diaphram?

Don

[squeefoo]

can this be cleaned or do i have to replace

Cleaned. If you tap (Just tap) the tube alot will come out, then a piece of wire or whatever to get it as good as you can. Getting the bottom off might suck. The valve -wire brush and air then carb cleaner. Be careful of where it goes into the TB -chunks might go inside when you clean that out, so open the butterfly and clean that out real good w/a toothbrush and carb cleaner. All the way around and both sides of the plate try to get back into the plenum a couple of inches.

[jamesmost]

just pulled out thr EGR pretty clean scraped and vaccuumed everything pressure tested the valve and works perfectly re-installed and still must refer to the torque convertor

[jamesmost]

the diaphram can be accessed under the valve just push ur finger up there, when i removed it (came off easy) then i scraped and blew compressed air thru when i cleaned the tube i did it with a vaccuum (sp ?) right there to suck up the scrapings

[duck3986]

Is it the thing that looks like a 3 inch flying saucer?

when you say you removed it, does it bolt on to the intake or plennum?

Thanks,don

[jamesmost]

hey don there r two discs it is the one bolted on to the plenum the one closer to the front of the car. make sure u have some high temp. rtv handy to re do the gasket2 bolts, 1- 3/4" metal tube 1- 1/4" tube

[jamesmost]

also 1 vaccuum line

[duck3986]

My Q is a '98. I think it's located more toward the back of the engine. Anyone want to confirm/deny that?

[jamesmost]

??

[squeefoo]

Try cleaning out the butterfly/ , made a big diff on mine. I thought there was a new motor. Glad the EGR was clean.

[elwesso]

The EGR is mainly dirty after the valve, int that little passage from the valve ot the plenum... Concentrate on that area.....

[duck3986]

Wes,

Have you resolved the sluggish problem on the two cars?

[elwesso]

No I have not met up with either of them.. Andre is off somewhere (not in indiana) and I will be meeting Jason here prolly within a few weeks.....

Will report...