2000 PA Ultra driving slower after repairs

Have it scanned for codes.

The SES light isn't on and I have a code reader.

Here's some more info that may shed some light. I've had my car for two years and shortly after I noticed the car would hesitate (only noticeable up hills) around the 1500 RPM mark. Sometimes the car would act like it's going to stall at this point and the RPM gauge would move wildly up and down (within 1000 RPM's, not the entire range). To over come this, I'd just give it some more gas, and could easily get it up to 5000+ RPM's I might add.

Shortly after, I got a code P0446 (Evap). I chalked the hesitation up to being a fuel pressure problem and it didn't feel like a transmission problem to me. Now two years later, the hesitation has not gotten any worse and I mainly drive up hills. In fact, the car is not as rough at 1500 RPM's anymore and doesn't do that whole song and dance. Just the hesitation. So after my coolant and evap repair, I'm getting the impression now that my car is hesitating at more than just the 1500 RPM mark, which I was hoping would clear up after the evap work.

So I recently had the Forman of the shop drive the car and he noticed the same thing (at the 1500 RPM mark that is) and told me it's a transmission problem and the car isn't downshifting to second properly. Ok, no big surprise, I guess. However, if the car is NOW hesitating at more than just 1500 RPM's (or not shifting properly), then how did the transmission get further messed up from a manifold replacement and evap work?

So three theories, none of which solve my problem.

1) My transmission has never been 100% when going in to second.

2) It was never a transmission problem and something else is restricting the car when going in to second.

3) Theory number 2 has gotten worse.

One thing I will do shortly is get my transmission fluid changed.

By the way, the Forman did get the car up to 5000 RPM's but it doesn't want to stay there long and he really had to drive the car hard. Much harder than I've driven it and ever would.

Jeff

Jeff, sometimes there can be a code even though the engine light is not on, but if you have a code reader then you'd know. It's hard to diagnose when not getting a code, but check the obvious things like tune up, fuel filter, air filter. You might be on the right track with getting a trans service. Keep giving me info and we'll see if we both can come up with the answer. Two minds are better than one!

It just seems weird that the transmission, which has been operating the same in the two years I've had the car, suddenly takes a nose dive after the manifold, evap work they did.

I was looking at the RPM gauge today, while driving (not concentrating on it too much), and when giving the car some gas, and seeing the RPM guage move, it looks to me like a lack of fuel pressure. Of course, I just had three components replaced for the fuel pressure I was having. And yeah it does seem strange that they replaced three things. (Evap Purge Valve, Evap Vent Valve and a fuel sensor).

So you would think that there would be no fuel pressure restriction. Would the light not come on if there was? If the fuel pressure can be low and the light not come on, I'll get a meter and measure it.

Thanks for the help.