Today I planned on changing out my starter because it went out. I went to buy the starter and on the way my car started running awful, bad shifts, ticking very loud, stumbling off the line, smoke out the tailpipe and lots of popping(almost like a backfire but not really ). I let it cool down and when I went back out, there was a puddle(a little bigger than a cd in size) of tranny fluid. I changed the fluid about 3 months ago and I know I put all of the bolts and such in tight. I know that the leak would make for the bad shifts but Im clueless about why its acting up in the other ways. The car has 114k on the clock, oil changed every 3k if not more often, plug wires are fine, plugs are new. I try to take care of my baby but this time Im in over my head. I need some help. If you think you might know, throw it at me. It could be anything. Thanks in advance.

Bo

 

All I can do is guess from my chair,perhaps bad gas?Coil,or the dreaded opti.Ever change the opti?

 

Nope, never changed the opti but Im sure I cant dodge that bullet forever. I dont think it was bad gas but I didnt think of that. Thanks for the reply Joe. Any other ideas?

Bo

 

^^^