can't tell if engine or trans - runs odd around 35-45 mph

[Stevarian]

I started noticing something odd with my 1999 Solara SLE V6 lately. It has about 78k miles. Around 30, 35, 40 mph, I notice a kind of stuttering, or a feeling like something is "slipping". I probably don't have the right word for it, but my first thought was that maybe the engine is miss-firing.

The plugs have never been changed. I have had the transmission fluid changed, but not recently.

A friend of mine thought perhaps it was poor quality gas, so I filled up with premium, and that hasn't helped yet.

Any thoughts?

Steve

[RichD978]

get the transmission fluid flushed to see if its any better

[RichD978]

also... maybe you have "bad gas" hehe

[BradOwens]

is it really cold outside when it does this? if my car isnt warmed up all the way it studders a lil but when it fully warms up its fine.

[Stevarian]

Thanks guys.

The temperature here has been in the 30's and 40's. It did it today, and it is in the mid-40's right now. It also does it when the engine is fully warmed up. It has never acted this way before.

LOL, and my gas is only bad after bean burritos....

Jiffy Lube did my last transmission flush. Are they okay?

Steve

[Yanks0114]

Jiffy Lube did my last transmission flush. Are they okay?

Was it a full flush where the flushed out 10+ quarts, or just a drain and refill of 3-4qts

[Turbosolara]

most of newer car actually requires to use geniune fluids and parts to optimize the performance and life span. IF i were you, i will take it to dealer and do the tranny flush again. It might be that jiffy lub didnt use the correct weight or velocity of oil.

[Stevarian]

I checked the receipt from JiffyLube, and it was the small flush, not the full one. Also, it was 2 years ago. I didn't think it was that long. How often should it be done anyway? I only have 78k miles on it now.

Steve

[hanatsuki]

eh, dont do it at jiffy lube, they tend to not do a good job (based on my experience) just do it at dealer

[Yanks0114]

I checked the receipt from JiffyLube, and it was the small flush, not the full one. Also, it was 2 years ago. I didn't think it was that long. How often should it be done anyway? I only have 78k miles on it now.

Steve

I would do a full flush every 60k (and thats conservative). Realistically it should be done every 30k. More frequently if you drive hard

[drock03]

My money is on coil pack. The V6 has 3 of them (one for 2 cylinders). I would swap them around. See if the problem follows. I just had a coil pack go bad in my car. I picked one up for $75 and took me 2 minutes to replace. Hesitation gone

[Stevarian]

I thought I would resurrect this thread of mine, as I still have this problem.

Since I posted last, I have had the dealership do a tuneup and full transmission flush. They also put in a strong fuel injector cleaner in my gas. The car runs better in general, but my problem still exists.

In fact, it has become more pronounced. I took it to a foreign car specialty shop this week (one that friends tell me is the best in town), and had them try to diagnose the problem. I even took the tech with me on a test drive, so he could feel the problem. They did multiple tests and put diagnostic equipment on my car, and they finally found during a cylinder balance test that three of my cylinders were off by as much as 25%.

(Now this seems odd, because the first day they had the car, they told me all the tests came back "perfect").

Anyway, the only thing they could suggest was an "EngineVac" service, where they clean out the gunk from the fuel system. They also did a throttle body cleaning.

They told me that if my transmission had a problem, I should be getting a check engine light. (A friend had suggested that the transmission might need bands adjusted). I don't get any check engine lights.

I am hoping you guys might be able to help me diagnose this problem.

More specifically, when I am holding the gas pedal steady at say 30, 35, 40 mph, I can feel the car act like the engine is engaging, then disengaging. It is kind of a stuttering type feeling.

Now I have to admit the feeling is fairly subtle, but I have had this car since it was brand new (almost), and I know it is not driving the same as it used to.

I have also noticed when I make a slow acceleration from a stop, it kind of has a stuttery feeling too. If I accelerate fairly steady, I don't feel it. To me it feels like slippage in the transmission, but the techs said that doesn't seem likely.

After spending $600 for the testing and the engine vac service, I don't feel like giving anyone more money. I suppose if I have to live with it till something fails, I will. I was hoping to avoid a costly repair down the road.

The last poster said something about the coil packs. Wouldn't that have shown up in their testing?

I have also tried a tankful of premium gas (someone here, and friends, have suggested poor gas), but that didn't do anything either.

I hope someone can help, because this is getting very frustrating.

I have a 1999 SLE V6. Thanks in advance!!!

Steve

[mettler]

check this link out:

http://toyotanation.com/forum/t94951.html

I had the same problem that yours sounds like. I did everything trying to diagnose it.

[Stevarian]

That does sound very similar. I sent you an email!

Steve

[user99]

Funny you mention it.. I have the EXACT same problem. It isn't mis-firing, and it does it between those speeds only.. and moreso between those speeds when the A/C is on. It hasn't thrown a CEL at all.. guess I'll check into the EGR thing previously posted.

I also have a 99 SLE V6 with 166k miles.