2003 Monte SS...help with acceleration

[threetrees]

Recently my SS has been losing power when accelerating. Once I gain speed I am fine unless I hit a hill. We knew we were in need of a fuel injection cleaning and filter change which we did last week - no change. The mechanic stated we should bring it back and it may be the converter and quoted 1K.

Now, I found this site and have found out there is a warranty for converters? Will it cover my 2003??

[edson4433]

It is very possible that the catalytic converter is shot. I just had mine replaced on my 02' SS at 48,000 miles. I am out of warranty but I was protected under the federally mandated warranty that covers catalytics 120,000 miles or 10 years. I would take it to the Chevrolet/ GM dealership. Don't let them tell you it is not covered. It is a $1500 repair. My car had the same symptoms, and in fact totally gave out going up hill. I lost all power. The catalytic rusts out and collapses in on itself and plugs the exhaust ports. The engine can not breath. If it is that, do not drive the car until it is fixed. You could mess up other sensors and damage the engine. Good luck!

[richtazz]

I believe the converter issue covered 01-02 models only, but it wouldn't hurt to check with your dealer.

If your car has over 70k on it, your about due for a tune up. Many issues with bad acceleration are fixed with fresh plugs, wires, pcv, etc... Don't believe GM's claims of 100k mile plugs, it just doesn't hold up in real world driving.

[threetrees]

Well, the car is now at a dealership thanks to AF!!! I called yesterday morning and for 03 I have a 80000/8yr warranty and they gladly called my dealer to see if they would waive the diagnostic fee if the issue was the converter.

The dealer I have been going to for years said no, I would have to pay the 99 fee. I asked Chevy to call another dealer that is close to my home and they agreed to check the car and if it was the converter they wouldn't charge me any diagnostic fee, and if it wasn't they would only charge me 50

Of course, as soon as I got off work I headed right over and dropped it off. This morning I got the call that it WAS the converter and they had one in stock. I can't wait to drive my baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks again AF! We just brought a new home and I just didn't know where the $$ was coming from.

[Joe300Z31]

i have a 01 3.4 and i am having similiar problems but i believe they are much worse. would you see the symptoms of a bad cat. just but reving it in neutral or does the transmission need to be engaged? today driving to work it seemed like it was being restricted from reving high. i could have it pinned and i would get my response. it took me seriously like 3 minutes to get upto 60. i was wondering if this would still be a cat. or something else like a maf sensor. i know it was stupid to drive under these conditions but i needed the car and had no replacement. any help would be appreciated

[edson4433]

You can test for a blocked exhaust by reving the car in neutral to a high rpm. If it revs fast and seems normal you can assume the exhaust is not blocked. If it stutters and hesitates you have a clue. A catalytic can go bad in a couple of ways. The first is electrical, you loose a sensor or two. The second is that it collapses internally due to corrosion. Another way is to test drive the car. Find a place were you can accelerate safely and watch to see if the rpms spike with little forward movement (4000+ rpms) and listen for a steady popping noise. That would be the engine back firing. Good luck!