So to start, I know this should probably go to general Automotive but I dont have privileges to post anywhere else.

DD car, 04 dodge neon standard transmission. Just under 230000 miles (Yes, I'm surprised its still running too)

1st gear - 3rd are ok, 4th gear has absolutely no power, 5th gear is lacking but still has some. When I say has no power i mean it's the equivalent of driving 15 mph in 5th gear. Completely bogs down even though it's at 2.5-3k rpms.

Going to try doing a full tune up and change transmission fluid this weekend see if that helps, but figured I'd throw up a quick post and get some other opinions before I took it to a mechanic.

Thanks in advance for any ideas put out there.

 

Hi, are you bringing it to a transmission shop for a proper flush?
If you DIY, it probably won't help.
Good luck!

 

Was going to go the cheap route and just swap fluid. I haven't had the car very long thought that may help and would be cheaper than flush. Running a tight budget with holiday season.

 

To be honest, I've never tried to just drain and refill a manual, the only thing I've ever had a problem with is a clutch.
I assume they can be flushed. Seems to me just draining and changing it wouldn't do much, but I could be wrong.

 

My daughter recently bought a used Monte Carlo with auto trans. issues, we took it to a Certified Transmission shop, not sure if it's a national chain, and they offered her financing, that may be an option.

 

sitting here pondering on it, probably should of had another cup of coffee before I posted. I swapped tranny fluid right after I got it. Originally thought it was the on the old grand am I traded in but I remember going around with the parts store guy about what fluid to use.

So you're most likely right that swapping the fluid isn't going to help as it was done not too long ago.

(I have severe a.d.d. doesn't allow me to remember things chronologically very well)

 

Well, if you're mechanically inclined and have time, you may be able to rebuild it yourself.
I'm too old to tackle that myself, but 20 years ago I would have tried.
Never would even attempt an automatic though.

 

While it would probably be fun and an awesome learning experience. With 230k miles, i'm not sure it would be worth the time/money. Thoughts from that perspective?

 

I don't see how a manual transmission can affect power. Auto transmission can kill performance if it slips, but manuals are pretty much straight mechanical connections. If it goes into gear and stays in gear there's not much to go wrong.

Less oomph in the higher gears suggests it's the engine. Do a compression test to see what kind of mechanical shape it's in. If that's OK, then go ahead with stuff like tuneup. Look at the spark plugs as you take them out.

Ken

 

It does go in/out of gears ok. Clutch is fairly weak on it from what I can tell. I honestly dont think it's been replaced at all in the car.

I'll check with the shop see when I can get in have them look it over/compression test.

Thanks to everyone for all the input

 

Personal decision, depends on if you think it's worth it.
Shape of the car overall, money invested, how much do you like it, etc.
Only you can decide.
My daughter's first car was an old '84 Corolla with over 100k.
I sunk a bunch of time & money into it, and when I was done she had a good, dependable car that I felt good about.
Someone else may have said it wasn't worth it.

 

May be worth it. I'd prefer to keep the 8 a weekend driver with a 70 mile commute per day. Neon does good on gas 33-37 so may end up paying for itself assuming it doesn't become a money dump.

 

Yeah, like ken said, compression check first to be sure the engine is ok, or it will be a money pit.
Good luck!

 

Thanks a lot guys. will report back when the test is done.