# Tranny or combustion problem? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Show\ **Created:** [September 6, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-or-combustion-problem/67686 "2011-09-06T14:50:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bortman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bortman/32/2330_2.png) [@bortman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bortman)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-or-combustion-problem/67686/1 "2011-09-06T14:50:19Z")
1994 olds 88 royale with 3.8 sometimes hesitates or “bumps” when accelerating. sometimes it seems like the tranny is slipping, but other times it seems to feel like poor firing or slight misfire with hesitation. when at highway speeds of +50 it runs fine but occasionally bumps or seems sluggish if i rapid accelerate or speed up to pass. do i have a tranny problem or poor performance or emmisions problem thanks for the help and Click n Clack are the best ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-or-combustion-problem/67686/2 "2011-09-06T14:56:47Z")
What are the condition (color) and level of the transmission fluid? ---
**Author:** ![bortman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bortman/32/2330_2.png) [@bortman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bortman)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 3:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-or-combustion-problem/67686/3 "2011-09-06T15:32:47Z")
dirty red but not black or gritty! lvl is mid range to lower end ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-or-combustion-problem/67686/4 "2011-09-06T15:35:05Z")
Is it worse when the weather is wet/damp/humid? How many miles on the car? Ever change the spark plugs and wires? Could be a misfire. ---
**Author:** ![bortman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bortman/32/2330_2.png) [@bortman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bortman)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-or-combustion-problem/67686/5 "2011-09-06T15:46:16Z")
just had the car for a couple of mos. 186000 mi. the previous owner and upkeep unknown. plugs are not dirty wires are not matching with 2 newer. could injectors or egr be dirty i cant complain too much as my son bought it at a dealer auction and gave it to me ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-or-combustion-problem/67686/6 "2011-09-06T16:11:53Z")
Is it worse in wet weather? Any check engine light on? ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-or-combustion-problem/67686/7 "2011-09-06T16:30:54Z")
In that case, I would get the transmission fluid changed and see if it gets any better. You should get the transmission fluid changed anyway. ---
**Author:** ![bortman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bortman/32/2330_2.png) [@bortman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bortman)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-or-combustion-problem/67686/8 "2011-09-06T16:30:50Z")
any weather! no lights on! does seem to be more noticeable at speeds involving overdrive shifting up or down ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-or-combustion-problem/67686/9 "2011-09-06T17:18:07Z")
Yes, changing the transmission fluid and filter (if it has one) seems like a very good idea. Since you don’t know the maintenance history, get all maintenance items taken care of.