Hi I'm new to this site and thought I would give it a try, I just bought my first monte Carlo at a very cheap price and of course it has some problems my first agenda to fix is the throttle, for some reason when I turn it on and I tap on the gas it feels like I'm drowning the engine than after a little while it drives ok but it also has very crappy acceleration and it drives slow I almost feel sad for the car, only once has the car actually hauled *** other than that it drives pretty slow any suggestions?? Please help

Also sounds like I'm drowning it if I push the pedal all the way down even when I'm goin at high speeds

 

The 2000 and 2001 Montes were known to have a bad batch of catalytic converters. If that still has the original factory cat, that's probably a good reason for issues.

Do you have any check engine lights? If so, get them scanned and return with the trouble codes.

Do you notice any smoke out of the exhaust? How many miles are on it?

 

I think they have already replaced the catalic converter, no engine codes I had my brother scan it, 200000 miles, it also misfires if I try to force it to go fast

 

200,000 miles. She's up there (I have a 3100, it's the precursor to the 3400, same block, in a '94 Grand Am at about 215,000)....

- No codes - Check
- Suspected newer cat - Check

My next thoughts.... General maintenance.... Here are things to check in order of most likely to least.

- With the engine OFF, disconnect the MAF sensor (it's the BIG sensor in between the air box and the throttle body, part of the air duct has a hose clamp holding to it). Start the car with it disconnected. See if this changes things. If so, go to the parts store, get a can of MAF cleaner and FOLLOW the directions. See if cleaning it helps.
- Check for vacuum leaks. Small vac leaks can cause lose of power, improper fueling and just issues. One method to test is get a can of starting fluid, with the engine running, mist starting fluid on all vac lines and around gasket seals. If you have a vac leak, the engine will suck in the mist from that fluid and the idle will change (some times it might not be by much). Once you find a region that the idle changes, focus on that spot and see if you can find out where you might have a leak.
- Pop the EGR off, using carb cleaner and something long and flexible, spray carb clean down the passage that goes from the pedestal the EGR sits on and the upper intake. I know on the older 3 solenoid EGRs in the early 3100's, some crud would gum up in that passage.
- Your high grade plugs (platinums and iridiums) are only expected to last about 100,000-150,000 miles. I am assuming the plugs and wires at one point were serviced. At 200,000 miles, hard to say when and with what. Change them. I recommend AC Delco or NGK (I am running NGK Platinums in a 3100 Grand Am, 3400 Grand Am and a 3400 Impala, Rockauto has been the best price on those). DO NOT USE BOSCH PLUGS! They suck! BOSH wires are fine.
- Change air and fuel filters
- Change at LEAST the upstream O2 sensor (the one on top of the rear manifold). They do "wear" with use. Try to stay with an AC Delco (don't use BOSCH, those are the ones people have been known to have issues with).

Good luck and hope this helps!