Loss of power when turning left and feels like transmission is slipping, also engine feels sluggish and smell gas

Tiny
MEGANGREEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 OLDSMOBILE CIERA
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,340 MILES
So my car has been losing power when turning left. It wasn't a big problem but is has gotten worse it feels like it is slipping out of gear. And it has no power when at a complete stop sometimes when I press the gas the car doesn't want to move. It drives fine once it is done being sluggish. Sometimes when. I put my car in reverse it doesn't want to do anything. I have to hit the gas a few times to get it to move. When I put it in reverse also sometimes it cuts off on me and I have to put it in park and turn it back on it turns on no problem. I have been smelling gas every now and then. The car doesn't take a long time to turn over it starts right up when I crank it. It is leaking transmission fluid from the front transmission hoses (the rubber/metal hoses). I just did a oil change not to long ago. Doesn't have bad gas. I was thinking do a transmission flush and see how that does? I'm really hoping it isn't the torque converter. And ideas? Please help!
Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 AT 12:13 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

It sounds like the transmission fluid is low. Have you checked the level and condition of the fluid? Is the check engine light staying on when the engine is running?

Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 AT 6:45 AM
Tiny
MEGANGREEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Transmission fluid level looks good there is no check engine light on at all. I haven't ran an obd1 on it. The transmission fluid does have residue in it like metal shavings.
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Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 AT 6:50 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Are you seeing metal shavings in the ATF when you pull the dipstick? When you checked the fluid level, was the engine running at operating temperature on a flat surface?

Joe
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Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM
Tiny
MEGANGREEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes, the transmission fluid has metal shavings. I went to O'Riley's and bought a transmission filter and a seal and transmission fluid. The magnet in the transmission pan had metal shavings all over it. And one of the lines inside of the transmission was disconnected.
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Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 AT 3:55 PM
Tiny
MEGANGREEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Got the transmission put back together. Started storming so didn't get a chance to do transmission fluid. I checked all the vacuums and sensors. Found a broken vacuum line as well. So lets hope tomorrow when we take her off the jack stands and full her up she runs good. (I reconnected the hose and tightened the bolts on that part where the hose had come disconnected) fingers crossed for tomorrow!
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Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
MEGANGREEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
As to the line that was disconnected it was the one I am pointing to in the picture (the 3rd line that goes into the top of the transmission filter housing) I made sure it was in there nice and snug even pulled on it after I put in in to make sure it wasn't coming back out. My dad is a master mechanic so he has taught me a lot thank god. He said that was my problem for loss of power and everything. Transmission was losing pressure and slipping and now functioning correctly.
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Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 AT 7:24 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
That's great news. So it is working properly now? And yes, if line pressure gets low, it will cause it to slip.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 AT 9:22 PM
Tiny
MEGANGREEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes it's driving like it used to. No slippage or loss of power any more and my brakes stopped acting weird they were shaking when I hit the brakes but that stopped. So I'm happy now she's back to her old self!
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 1:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
That's great news. Let us know if you need anything in the future.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, June 11th, 2020 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
CESTLAVIE91
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I am more or less having the same problem. When I turn left the RPMs go up, but my MPH doesn’t. I don't feel that much loss of power when I turn right, actually almost none at all. It has died in reverse, making a U-turn, and more recently died in drive while sitting at light the other morning. It didn’t seem like it would start till I hit the gas. I am wondering if I need to do the same thing as Megan and change the transmission fluid and the trans filter. Any thoughts?
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Monday, January 22nd, 2024 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

The idea that it revs when you turn but doesn't speed up could indicate low transmission fluid. Have you checked to see if it is clean and full?

Next, it is very possible that what fixed the vehicle above can also resolve your issue. How many miles are on your vehicle and is it the same year, make, model, and powertrain?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, January 22nd, 2024 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
CESTLAVIE91
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It’s a 96 ford Taurus and yes, I spoke with someone, and they recommended the same thing. I check the fluid and it is full, and it does look clean. Then once I did that, I told them about the problem Megan was having and what she did. They said I should change the transmission filter and fluid as well. Figured I’d comment and see what y'all said to be safe. So, I’m going to get a trans filter and fluid tomorrow and change it see if that helps! I’ll reply and let you know if that works! Thanks!
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Monday, January 22nd, 2024 AT 8:42 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

Thanks for the update. If you want, start a new post specific to your vehicle's year, make, and model so I can get you all directions and any technical service bulletins related to a Taurus. We try to keep these threads specific to one vehicle type, so they are more helpful to others. I hope you understand.

Here is the link to start a new one specific to your vehicle:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Again, I hope you understand, and I look forward to helping.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 AT 7:19 PM

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