I push the gas but the car wont go!

kycraftjunkie · #1 03-03-2009, 10:16 AM

Ok I didnt know how to word the title there but heres an example of what happens from time to time on my 1994 Ford Escort 1.9L.....This has now happened 3 times in the past 2 months. Example from yesterday. I started the car and let it warm about 10 to 15 mins. Pulled out of my drive way went about 1 block stopped at stop sign....when it was clear to go I pushed on the gas and the car did NOT want to move....took a few seconds then it did go forward but it seemed to really reve up and took forever for it to kick in and go. Ok im very bad at explaning things but I try my best.....PLEASE dont tell me its a sign of the trany going bad. I cant aford another car and cant aford to keep sinkin money in to this car. Tell me its something minor and not expensive.

I just had the lower right ball joints replaced....was told lower left side need to be done very soon along with a valve cover gasket is leaking and needs replaced.

AzTumbleweed · #2 03-03-2009, 10:24 AM

Have you checked the tranny fluid? Hopefully it's just low.

ricebike · #3 03-03-2009, 11:06 AM

also, let us know what the fluid looks like... red or brown

smells burnt?!?

means your tranny is toast

Intuit · #4 03-03-2009, 04:15 PM

Manual shift here. But automatics typically go out between 100k and 130k here. Lot of stop and go + slow-pokes, over-brakers, folks who can't find the gas pedal on hills + numerous steep hills + bad winter weather. But unfortunately it does sound like an transmission.

Valve cover is DUH simple. You can do that yourself. Borrow a ten millimeter socket and ratchet. Even the most mechanically disinclined individual can manage that. Just be aware that the bolts are aluminum and therefore easy to break. Don't torque them with a lot of force... and turn COUNTER-CLOCKWISE when removing them.

See if you can find a backyard-mechanic for the lower ball-joints. They're also pretty simple to do. Bolt-on/off... no special tools required.

All-around easy car to work on as far as cars go. Tools pay for themselves. Service manual pays for itself. Take a mechanically inclined family member out to dinner or something. Much cheaper.

Unfortunately the transmission is really only for experienced individuals though. No backyard mechanics for that.

Might get it installed but then there may be some adjustments that need to be made.

chrisanthony · #5 03-04-2009, 09:12 AM

hmm...my car is experincing the same problems your describing..I've been living with it for about a year and a half now and nothing really serious has came up regarding that.. it just revs up and kinda of struggles when i push the gass from a red light..It might be a tranny issue.. i really dunno...the mechanic does not know what the problem could be...

kycraftjunkie · #6 03-04-2009, 09:23 AM

Thanks everyone for your replies. I will check the fluid and get back to you on the color, smell ect.

Btw how does one check a trany to see if its going bad? Can I do that or does it have to go to a shop?

I did find someone to do the gasket and the ball joints but I think im gonna wait to find out about the trany first...cant see putting money into it if the trany is shot

AzTumbleweed · #7 03-04-2009, 09:35 AM

A dirty filter could also do this. You might just consider having the tranny serviced.

chrisanthony · #8 03-04-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kycraftjunkie

Thanks everyone for your replies. I will check the fluid and get back to you on the color, smell ect.

Btw how does one check a trany to see if its going bad? Can I do that or does it have to go to a shop?

I did find someone to do the gasket and the ball joints but I think im gonna wait to find out about the trany first...cant see putting money into it if the trany is shot

I feel your pain..on not wanting to squeeze anymore money into this car lol

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