Q: No pickup power, shifting gear problems, hose loose

asked by on June 22, 2016

"Last week my car started running terribly. Normally it has very good pickup, but not now. Then shifting gears became difficult. It revs to 3 or 3.5k RPMs, then won’t do anything at all! The RPMs don’t go higher, nor faster and sometimes it won’t shift and then I have to let go of the gas or it shifts. Today, it was even worse so I looked under the hood and saw that the air intake hose between the filter and engine block was disconnected. After putting the hose back into place, it was a little bit better, but my car still runs badly! I think it has 140 hp, but it feels like only 60 hp. For more details: I’ve kept up with oil & filter changes, air filter replaced recently, fuel filter and trans fluid have ‘not’ been changed but fluids are always topped up. My car is always locked, so no one has messed with it. The o clamp was very loose and the pipe and air filter housing slipped apart and now the transmission is messed up. When I disconnected the positive power to see if it was a sensor, that was fine. I’m thinking I might need to flush the engine or do you think it’s more serious than that?"

Car is hard to shift Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

After reading all the different issues and problems you are having and the air intake problems that you are mentioning, I suggest having a mechanic do a thorough check and diagnosis of your shifting issues to see if there are codes in the computer. Tests should be done to also ensure that the intake system is not leaking. You also may have transmission slipping problems and only a full diagnosis can reveal all the problems you are having.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car fans stopped working
The fans on your car work together together and get the power and control from the fan module on top of the radiator. If one fan is working but not the other then that fan motor would need to be...
Coolant depletes quickly
The temperature gauge issues may be the result of a faulty coolant temperature sensor or a low coolant level. If there is no coolant in the system, the sensor cannot read temperature accurately. It would be best to consult the...
Can I drive my car with the rotors warped until I get it fixed next week?
Hi, thanks for your question. There should not be any major concern to drive with them this way assuming it is still drivable other than the vibration and noise as you have experienced. Be sure to give yourself extra time...
Will a purge solenoid eat up gas
If the he purge valve is open all the time it may cause the fuel tank to go into a vacuum and cause the gas to vaporize more than it should. You should not see very much loss of fuel...
My car has entertainment system, current DVD player is not accepting USB devices. Can I change DVD player which takes USB device?
Hello - there are no apparent replacement DVD or infotainment packages available for this model yet - at least through normal audio aftermarket channels like Crutchfield, et al. Keep after Acura Customer Service. The auto makers have much longer development...
Shaking 2011 Toyota RAV4
Hi there - occasional shaking (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/car-is-shaking-badly) as you describe can be a number of things - a bad CV joint/axle (tend to shake while accelerating of turning), tire or wheel problems (bent, balance issue, tire separating). Worn suspension parts can...
Check Engine light is on
Hello, thank you for writing in. The work you have put in thus far is only benefiting your car, but misfires can be a lot trickier than most think. You may be having a low fuel pressure issue, dirty MAF...
Are engine light keeps coming on for a year EGR cooler and EGR valve replaced EGR valve replaced twice light still coming on
You will need to have system scanned for codes first and repair any received codes first. The exhaust pressure sensor may not be reading correctly and would cause the problem you are talking about. Make sure any other codes are...
2005 Hyundai Santa Fe will go in reverse but won’t move in drive
What you are describing is often a sign of low transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) or a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car's...

Related articles

How Serious Is It When a Hose Is Leaking?
A leaking hose in your car could indicate different problems. Some leaking hoses are more serious than others, but all should be checked and repaired.
The Best Used Cars to Buy for Highway Driving
Do Do you spend hours each week on the highway for work? Maybe you just live in a very rural area and have to drive for 30 or 45 minutes to get to the grocery store. Whatever the case, your...
How to Get a Used Engine
The engine (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-a-modern-engine-works) under the hood is the most important component of a vehicle. Without the engine, your car cannot run and is of little value to you. If you have been in an accident, or neglected your engine to...