What are the symptoms of a failing torque converter???

[gtp6515]

I am so frustrated with this thing right now. This slight chugging issue started a month or so ago, and assumed it was tune related, however nothing in the tune had changed. What is happening now is the car when it gets into lock up, it starts to buck pretty bad, on or off the throttle. It is starting to feel the same way as my gtp when it's tc failed, and blew its guts all over the inside of the trans, which equated to 3 rebuilds before it was done right. When I turn the lock up off, the problem gets significantly less, but once back into lock up, a bucking we will go. Any insight from any trans specialists? I am wondering if I should even be driving it. If the tc is not completely bad, can the trans be saved w/o a rebuild?

[GRRRR8]

Is this the stock TQ convertor?

[gtp6515]

Yes it is. I have no idea what else it could be. I am sure there are a hundred+ parts or combination of parts it could be. This is a part of the car I have not messed with yet. And I am certainly not qualified to do so. What activates or puts the car into lock up? Are there any things I can scan for that would tell me what the problem is? Thanks for any assistance.

[GRRRR8]

It sounds like a possible misfire. When the convertor locks the load increases and a misfire would be more pronounced. Usually this type of misfire would make the engine light flash, unless misfires were turned off in your tune.

I would not think at your power level that you could damage a convertor unless the tune is way off or of the trans is low on fluid.

[gtp6515]

Where would i look in the tune for if misfires are shut off? It is just as bad or worse upon decel. Misfire I could see with high load.

[GRRRR8]

PM Sent

[coops09gxp]

Did it start doing this before or after you had your car tuned? Also, does it only do it in say manual mode or all driving modes? Mine did the same types of things after an intial tune, it was pretty violent and had me worried! After some work on the tune it has cleared up and the car drives SUPER now. If Charlie is helping you with it you have a great guy and someone with a good deal of knowledge helping you! I have a dashhawk that allowed me to watch when the converter would go into full lock. With my heads and cam this may have been some of my issue. With your mods I am inclined to lean towards the tune. But, my knowledge with alllll of the inner workings with our cars is not near to the par of some of the folks on here like Charlie! Sure hope you can get this figured out and get back to enjoying your G8 again. From your mods listed she should be a nice runner!

Tony

[gtp6515]

Just so frustrating.