Won't go above 45 MPH
 

A buddy of mine recently purchased an '80 or '81 Trans Am that had been in storage for 9 or 10 years. The car has low miles and was owned by an older lady since new. The problem is that the car won't go above 45 MPH??? It has good take off but once it gets to 40 to 45 is bogs down. He's talked to two mechanics and they both said it needs a motor rebuild at a cost of $5K. He said the oils clean, it doesn't blow smoke and there's no apparent leaks anywhere. Are there any emissions controls that might be holding this car back?? Anybody else ever experience this before? I just find it hard to believe that it would need a motor rebuild from sitting for 9 years. I could see the valve seals needing to be replaced but that shouldn't cause the car to bog at 45.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Mike

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

I had a car that did this.
It was the Exhaust Heat riser that was stuck closed.
Check the C.C.,or maybe a dead mouse in the tailpipe?

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

Mike,,,It sounds like the catalytic convertor is plugged. I would go there first..........Bill S

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

Mike, exhaust related.........

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

Fuel filter plugged or collapsed?

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

I knew you guys would have some answers....thanks for the info. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif I'll forward your suggestions and see if he can fix the problem.

Mike

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

I had this happen on an '86 Trans Am - it was a blocked cat converter. It's easy to test, just drop the pipe - and go for a noisy test ride https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

BTW: eventually, it will get worse to the point that it won't run at all - especially after it gets hot. The cat will completely block off the exhaust until it cools down.

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

[ QUOTE ]
Mike,,,It sounds like the catalytic convertor is plugged. I would go there first..........Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]

ditto.... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

Gotta be the plugged cat...I remember doing a cool 70...60...50...40mph on I-75 in my '85 Parienne...ugh.

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

I gotta chime in on the plugged CAT. My sisters '87 Buick had the same symptoms. The CAT was choking the life out of it. It was like a new car when it got replaced. And it was a lot cheaper than rebuilding the engine.

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

-------I knew you had to be from California when I saw the words "had it replaced" in your post. LOLOLOLOL!!!.......Bill S

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

If you want to do a quick check without pulling a pipe, just start the car and let it idle. Put your hand behind the tail pipe and feel the exhaust. If it is NOT plugged, you will feel the pulsing of the exhaust. If you have an exhaust restriction, there will be no pulse, just smooth hot air as if escaping from a balloon.

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

[ QUOTE ]
-------I knew you had to be from California when I saw the words "had it replaced" in your post. LOLOLOLOL!!!.......Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL Bill ..We used to gut the converter in the shop and put the shell back on the car to "look" the part....Hey it's still on there.. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif


Steve

Re: Won't go above 45 MPH
 

[ QUOTE ]
-------I knew you had to be from California when I saw the words "had it replaced" in your post. LOLOLOLOL!!!.......Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]

Well hey, it was a '87 4 door car. I'll be the one laughing in January when you're shoveling snow and I'm crusing down PCH along the Pacific. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif