hm.. tranny or cat problem?

[Hairytoad]

Hey whats up guys, hope the new years went well! Heres my question for today. Im not sure whether its my trannsmission or maybe an exhaust problem from reading some earlier posts. When i first start up my car she runs beautifully.. shifts fine smooth running somewhat quick for a 3.4 v6.. But after awhile of driving sometimes even minute.. the service engine light kicks on and she starts to bog down hard.. on acceleration mainly. like today.. i was coming home and put it to the floor ( already doing like 20 mph, because of some X-road tracks ) and she revved up to 4-5k and did absolutely nothing, but wasn't a neutral rev.. but a rev with a heavy bog to it. Sometimes while im driving it i can give it some gas and it'll sound like its revving high and not moving anywhere or crawling while the cars vibrating and shaking, then when i left off the gas even seconds after it sounds like its a " winding down " effect. im not sure if its a clog cat or what, but i have noticed when im in park and letting my car warm up ( livin in michigan ) that sometimes exhaust sputters out and my car usually has a harsh gas smell to it.. Which brings me to another question! i went to check my oil and put some in and went i pulled the rubber sealer off the pour in area, smoke came out and it wasn't even cold outside for this time of year so, could that mean a blown head or just leaking oil? I dunno im confused.. Any suggestions? thanks guys =)

[97cavalier]

Originally Posted by Hairytoad

Hey whats up guys, hope the new years went well! Heres my question for today. Im not sure whether its my trannsmission or maybe an exhaust problem from reading some earlier posts. When i first start up my car she runs beautifully.. shifts fine smooth running somewhat quick for a 3.4 v6.. But after awhile of driving sometimes even minute.. the service engine light kicks on and she starts to bog down hard.. on acceleration mainly. like today.. i was coming home and put it to the floor ( already doing like 20 mph, because of some X-road tracks ) and she revved up to 4-5k and did absolutely nothing, but wasn't a neutral rev.. but a rev with a heavy bog to it. Sometimes while im driving it i can give it some gas and it'll sound like its revving high and not moving anywhere or crawling while the cars vibrating and shaking, then when i left off the gas even seconds after it sounds like its a " winding down " effect. im not sure if its a clog cat or what, but i have noticed when im in park and letting my car warm up ( livin in michigan ) that sometimes exhaust sputters out and my car usually has a harsh gas smell to it.. Which brings me to another question! i went to check my oil and put some in and went i pulled the rubber sealer off the pour in area, smoke came out and it wasn't even cold outside for this time of year so, could that mean a blown head or just leaking oil? I dunno im confused.. Any suggestions? thanks guys =)

Sounds like torqe converter, or the tranny might not be clutching all the way. Mr.luos will probly know.

[ikeyballz]

its not your cat if anything, since a cat wont make you rev up... it prolly is your trans.. >_< i dont see any other prob... im guessin its an AUTO right? yeah..mr.luos should know

[GTP Dad]

This is definately a transmission problem. Of course the torque convertor is part of that system. It is possible that the convertor is bad but if I would be more likely to be in the transmission itself.

[DVS LT1]

If your car was not accelerating at all then I'd agree its a tranny problem. But I had a similar thing happen to my car before we dropped the motor... on certain occaisons on the highway I'd try hammer it and the engine would rev up but the car wouldn't gain any speed.

I thought it was a tranny problem also until we took off the entire exhaust - there was a honey comb block from the cat that had wedged at the muffler inlet! The cat is completely hollow now.

Does your engine or exhaust sound any different when its doing this?

[Hairytoad]

Well when it happens inside the car is really really loud, not so sure about the outside.. it doesn't sound very healthy and im hoping its not the trans but im expecting it to be another major reason i am thinking its the trans is sometimes when i gas it, the car feels like the clutch plates i think they are, are slipping. no clue.