Chevrolet Impala Performance

Replying to: cuff (Mar 20, 2007 8:24 am)

Replies to this message:
• quietpro (Mar 20, 2007 5:05 pm)
  • wbowl99 (Mar 21, 2007 6:39 am)
    • quietpro (Mar 21, 2007 2:33 pm) and 4 more...
    • 06fasst (Mar 21, 2007 5:28 pm)
  • cuff (Mar 21, 2007 8:07 am)

Replying to: wbowl99 (Mar 20, 2007 9:00 am)

Cuff,
  My ex brother-in-law owns a transmission shop and my nephew works for him. I have asked him to ask around and see if they've heard of anything like what you're experiencing. I'll let you know if they come up with anything.
 
Wanda,
  It was me who suggested using 3rd gear. Now that you're saying it's bumping between 3rd and 4th, would you also describe that sensation as a "shudder"? By shudder, I mean the feeling the torque converter makes with its final engagement and you feel a cushioned little bump. With a shudder, it's that cushioned bump feeling over and over. It goes away if you accelerate or slow down and only exists when you're trying to maintain a steady speed. If so, there's an additive called "Dr. Tranny" that fixed my old car right up. This was after visiting several tranny shops and all said I needed a new torque converter and actually had one replaced under warranty. It was my nephew that suggested I try it. Their shop puts it in every transmission they repair. It costs about $10 and you just pour it into the transmission fluid filler tube.
 
As for the lifter noise, see if you can isolate the circumestances around it. Is the engine fully heated, warming up, cold? Have you been driving at highway speeds or stop and go? A/C on? The engine ticking has been noted by others with the 3.5L. That's your engine, right?
 
As for the wind noise, I would test drive a different Impala at the dealership and compare. There seems to be an occasional "bad" Impala out there. When I bought mine, the SS I test drove had bad wind noise but all the other Impalas we drove (at least 4) were fine.
 
Hope some of this helps.
 
Ron

Replies to this message:
• wbowl99 (Mar 21, 2007 6:39 am)
  • quietpro (Mar 21, 2007 2:33 pm)
    • martin22 (Mar 21, 2007 5:50 pm) and 1 more...
    • 303ss (Apr 16, 2007 11:26 am) and 1 more...
  • 06fasst (Mar 21, 2007 5:28 pm)
• cuff (Mar 21, 2007 8:07 am)

Replying to: quietpro (Mar 20, 2007 5:05 pm)

Thanks, Ron. Yes, I think it is a shudder I feel. Glad to have someone give me the correct terminology to use. Maybe the mechanics would have understood that better. It also has some vibration in the steering wheel that feels like it might be related to the engine running a little hard.
 
I've tried to pay attention to the lifter noise and thought it was pretty much after it was fully heated. I've heard it on the Interstate after driving over 100 miles and I've heard it in mixed traffic when stopping at a red light. Then yesterday, I hadn't gone 2 miles and it had that sound. Wasn't fully heated then. Not using AC yet, although it is warming up here in TN (70+ today for first day of spring )
 
On the additive, since it is only 6 1/2 mos old, would it affect the warranty if I put an additive in it? This is the first brand new one I've bought in over 20 years. Usually buy used and do regular or minor maintenance myself, but with a new one, I wouldn't want to do anything where they could void the warranty. I even let the dealer do the oil changes because they only charge me $7 for the oil/filters since I bought from them.
 
Wanda

Replies to this message:
• quietpro (Mar 21, 2007 2:33 pm)
  • martin22 (Mar 21, 2007 5:50 pm)
    • colchester47 (Mar 22, 2007 2:30 am)
  • 303ss (Apr 16, 2007 11:26 am)
    • jpstax1 (May 17, 2007 8:14 pm)
• 06fasst (Mar 21, 2007 5:28 pm)

Replying to: quietpro (Mar 20, 2007 5:05 pm)

Replying to: wbowl99 (Mar 21, 2007 6:39 am)

Wanda,
  The manufacturer claims it's OK with the manufacturer's but I wouldn't take some guy's word on the internet. Call your dealership or better yet, corporate and ask. Here is the web site for the maker of the additive: http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/trans_shudder_fixx.html
 
If you do a web search for Dr. Tranny, you'll find plenty of places that sell it.
 
With the ticking, you're not hearing it while you're actually driving are you? You're talking about after driving on the interstate and then coming to a stop, right?
 
With the suspected rough engine, try a couple things. While stopped (and feeling the rough idle), shift into park or neutral and see if you notice a difference. Also, try turning on the AC. I've noticed with my engine (and most others), it runs smoother with a slight load on it. If I idle in neutral, mine has a bit of a rough idle. If it's in gear or in neutral with the AC engaged, it smooths out.
 
I was actually gonna ask the other SS owners about that so if you're reading, let's hear your take. Does the 5.3L run a little rough in neutral but smooth as silk while in gear?
 
Thanks all and get back with us, Wanda...
Ron

Replies to this message:
• martin22 (Mar 21, 2007 5:50 pm)
  • colchester47 (Mar 22, 2007 2:30 am)
• 303ss (Apr 16, 2007 11:26 am)
  • jpstax1 (May 17, 2007 8:14 pm)

Replying to: wbowl99 (Mar 21, 2007 6:39 am)

Replying to: quietpro (Mar 21, 2007 2:33 pm)

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• colchester47 (Mar 22, 2007 2:30 am)

Replying to: martin22 (Mar 21, 2007 5:50 pm)

Hi Guys...
  If I'm not mistaken here, all the '06 & '07 Impala models, including the SS, share the same hydralic roller valve lifters.
Sometimes in cold weather, and/or when it's been sitting too long, you will hear a slight ticking sound on start up until all the lifters fill with oil.
         Just maybe.....
 
              Frank

Replies to this message:
• wbowl99 (Mar 22, 2007 6:19 am)
  • quietpro (Mar 22, 2007 3:15 pm)
    • mymitties (Mar 22, 2007 3:50 pm)

Replying to: mymitties (Mar 22, 2007 3:28 am)

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• quietpro (Mar 22, 2007 3:15 pm)
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