Torque Converter??? 1988 Problem

[Bonnell]

Hi Everyone,

I have a stock '88 with 135K miles. Back in September I noticed a little miss when I was in overdrive (sometimes at the top of third also) if I was driving relatively slowly and under a load like going up hill.

This has gotten worse and now it 'misses' pretty badly if it is in overdirve and I am at 50 - 60 then attempt to accellerate (even slightly). This is similar to what it was doing before the last tune up (in March of this year). Once I down shift, it does not miss (Ok, it may be a little rough there too but not bad).

My mechanic (without driving it) said it sounded like the torque converter.

Does this seem right?????

Thanks,

J

 

[tnovot]

Bonnell -
Find a new mechanic.
The engine miss could be caused by by worn valves, a bad sensor, bad sparkplugs, distributor cap, coil, plugwires, or any number of other faults. Any engine problem will show up more readily under heavy load at low RPM.
Terry

 

[vetteboy86]

Any engine light? If the ECM was functioning properly and the car was running this poorly due to a sensor it would have thrown a code. I know the computers in these cars are anciet, but they do still operate fairly well. If your car is running that poorly it should be scanned. That is what I would do.

Good luck
Craig

 

[Vettefan87]

If the ECM is bad I do not think that it will throw a code, I could be wrong, and someone will correct me if I am, but that is my understanding. If you do not have a Service Engine Light, there is nothing you can scan.


Justin

 

[Bonnell]

Thanks for the replies.

There is no SES light. I had a tune up in March with new plugs, distributor cap and rotor, fuel filter, etc. Recently, I had new brakes put on all four wheels and had the O2 sensors replaced.

I will check the distributor and spark plugs my self. I hear the rear passenger plug is a nightmare to get to. Is there a trick to this?

Thanks!

 

[G Winter]

If you have the aluminum slant plug heads it isn't to bad, just remove the rear part of the wheel well. About 8 bolts on the side and 3 on the bottom from underneath.

 

[Vettefan87]

I did not have to remove the passenger side wheel well when I did my plugs. All I used was a long extension with a swivel. When I did it I did not even think about removing the wheel well. Either way will work though.