slow in frist gear... why??? anybody....

[XxrusianxX]

my car used to spin tires if i floored it at any point in first gear. now it doesn't do that anymore... it still pulls fine and feels just as fast, maybe a little slower. I have no idea what it is... i tried to do a leak test, and got negative results, did oil change, cleaned air filter.... any other suggestions of what could have caused this.

 

[out there]

was this a gradual loss of power? or did it just stop one day? check for boost leaks, they will kill power so quickly

 

[ZachM31]

maybe your fuel injectors are slightly plugged... or else different surfaces will have more traction than others, so you can't spin as easy on them... was this an overnight thing? or has it gotten hotter out? hot engines (talking like hotter than normal) don't perform as well as ones that are around normal temperature...hot tires also grip better than cold ones... so after driving down the road for 50 miles, and hammering it at a green light after that, they will grip better than warming the engine up, then going out and laying rubber...

 

[snowmansdsm09]

Dude i did the " seafoam " and changed my spark plugs today. (gapped them correctly)
AND wow what a difference! I was having the exact same B.S. as you . It felt like the first time i drove the car after all that. I have an automatic w/ new tranny and im gettin 2nd gear scratches again in a AUTOMATIC ! !

The CHEAPEST best things you can do to your car....

1. boost leak test
2. seafoam
3. new ngk plugs

 

[XxrusianxX]

Dude i did the " seafoam " and changed my spark plugs today. (gapped them correctly)
AND wow what a difference! I was having the exact same B.S. as you . It felt like the first time i drove the car after all that. I have an automatic w/ new tranny and im gettin 2nd gear scratches again in a AUTOMATIC ! !

The CHEAPEST best things you can do to your car....

1. boost leak test
2. seafoam
3. new ngk plugs

I have relatively new ngk's maybe 12k on them and i did a leak test, but what it seafoam and how do u use it???

 

[arash15]

I have relatively new ngk's maybe 12k on them and i did a leak test, but what it seafoam and how do u use it???

seafoam is used in the combustion chamber to clean it up. i would personally check if the plugs are gapped correctly. also check your wires. the easiest way is to have the car running and CAREFULLY remove a plug wire from the head and aim the end of the plug wire on a valve cover bolt. from there see how the spark is released from the end of the plug wire. MAKE SURE YOU AREN'T TOUCHING ANYTHING THAT IS METAL. or else you will feel a little shock. not a big deal, it didn't hurt. do this on all four, individually.

 

[AuntiesTSI]

also check your wires. the easiest way is to have the car running and CAREFULLY remove a plug wire from the head and aim the end of the plug wire on a valve cover bolt. from there see how the spark is released from the end of the plug wire. MAKE SURE YOU AREN'T TOUCHING ANYTHING THAT IS METAL. or else you will feel a little shock. not a big deal, it didn't hurt. do this on all four, individually.

they make spark testers. removing the wire while the car is running probably isnt the best idea but thats probably just me. and you are also running the risk of damaging electronics if you get to close to sensative electronic. thats why they make a proper tool for it

 

[d_tsiawd]

maybe the warmer weather has made your tires stickier and so they grip more?

 

[prophecy7115]

Well all i know is that, my car does the same, i did seafoam, and i bought new plugs and nothing. Well i just threw them on without gapping them, but they told me it was the same ones from factory so i figure it didnt matter, Or did it. I havnt done a boost leak test but i will soon.

 

[DSM90AWD]

i bought new plugs and nothing. Well i just threw them on without gapping them, but they told me it was the same ones from factory so i figure it didnt matter, Or did it.

Doing an application search on NGKs site for your OEM plugs returns several hundred automotive and 30 marine applications. What are the chances of all having the same .028 gap, NGK setting them to that gap and the gap not changing in transit?

So yes.. gapping matters

 

[DSM90AWD]

my car used to spin tires if i floored it at any point in first gear. now it doesn't do that anymore... it still pulls fine and feels just as fast, maybe a little slower. I have no idea what it is... i tried to do a leak test, and got negative results, did oil change, cleaned air filter.... any other suggestions of what could have caused this.

Don't know how hot it's been in MA this summer, but down here it's been silly hot. Warmer temps = less dense air = less HP. It also means your tires are a bit stickier.

I'd still do the following routine checks just to be sure: boost leaks, plugs, engine CELs?, fuel filter and maybe even a compression check

 

[project_tsi]

Maybe your clutch is starting to slip down low? But it still has enough bite to pull fine through the gears while the car is in motion, just not enough bite to provide that initial "kick" from the drop of the clutch.

 

[prophecy7115]

Well its been about 1 week since the moment, and man tonight i gave it a hard run and it actually threw me back to in my seat, dam is hasnt done that since, i dont rememeber, that wierd my car is bipolar

 

[MNGSX]

my car used to spin tires if i floored it at any point in first gear. now it doesn't do that anymore... it still pulls fine and feels just as fast, maybe a little slower. I have no idea what it is... i tried to do a leak test, and got negative results, did oil change, cleaned air filter.... any other suggestions of what could have caused this.

Clutch.... Slipping out of the hole more in 1 than other gears...

Do to the TRE clutch adjustment.. If that does'nt clear it up look at the disk..

 

[Zexell]

I dont have a 5spd but I can really learn from this thread. Out of the hole, i cant even beat a maxima persay, but 2nd, 3rd, and all the way, its how a turbos supposed to be. I had NGK BPR6ES, and replaced them with some BPR7ES.