Loud 1991 Automatic Festiva...

[ajbremer]

I recently obtained a 1991 Automatic Festiva. It seems pretty loud in the car and I really haven't investigated any exhaust leak yet but it seems like the rpm's are pretty hight when your going 70+ mph. Is that the case with automatics, they are loud because of the high rpm's?

Also, one other issue with the car, when I first take off the transmission seems to shift and/or jerk in a way, it kinda feels like something is loose. Once it takes off, I don't sense further problems and if I take off gently, then it's ok too. I do see wetness around the tranny. I'm going to go out there today and see if I can find something loose.

[crazyrog17]

Check the transmission fluid level. While the car is hot, after a few miles on the road, run the shift lever through all the gears for a few seconds each. Pull the dipstick to check.

The fluid level could be the cause of the jerking, but make sure the front of your cross member is attached to the radiator support. They often rust out and fall down onto the sway bar. When you accelerate, it slams back up into the radiator support.

Yes, they're loud. At 70mph, the tach sits just under 4,000 rpm. Nothing a decent exhaust and radio can't handle, hahah.

[ajbremer]

Thank you for the quick comment, I will check those things.

[eurotiva]

An easy way to check the mounts. Have someone sit in the car with it running, and go to reverse, then forward. Watch for engine movement. Make sure they keep a firm foot on the brake.

Exhaust is probably rotted somewhere, which replacement exhaust pieces are still available thru walker