Performance Problems

[Import1]

I just got my car back from having the turbo rebuilt, new sls midpipe with high flow cat, and Magna Flow cat back exhaust. At first it seemed crazy amounts of new power. However, when I start to hit the gas the car starts to accelerate and then like it hits a brick wall then hesitates and all kinds of stuff until I let off the gas. What is the problem? I do not want to ruin my car so I need to know what to do ASAP. Can anybody help??

[axisboldaslove]

u have just felt FUEL CUT ha

[speed1016]

fuel cut....search it and then fix it. Sucks but it is an easy fix. Good luck

[alca0811]

now, now . . . could be a faulty WGA. Just hope that you didn't have the hesitation trio like I did. . . faulty waste gate actuator, slipping clutch, and faulty Mass Air Flow sensor.

[Import1]

Thanks, will check the fuel cut. Not WGA unless the new one was bad. When the turbo was rebuilt I put on a new one from Protege Garage.

[alca0811]

Thanks, will check the fuel cut. Not WGA unless the new one was bad. When the turbo was rebuilt I put on a new one from Protege Garage.

also check your spark plugs, if they are black, then u have a potential problem with your MAF sensor. It might be telling your motor to give you too much fuel, running you entirely too rich, and not allowing the plugs to burn the excess fuel.

[Import1]

Will bad vacuum lines cause the same thing? I have the original lines with 116,000 miles. Also, the mechanic that put on the exhaust did not do something right and there was an exhast leak just after the cat. Could either of these caused the problem. Not to mention it is like 7deg F here in Ohio right now.

[Import1]

I will check the plugs when it gets a little warmer. When the old exhaust started to get louder I figured that the leaky exhaust was causing the low gas mileage. I never thought the MAF sensor might be bad. I know the old exhaust was black from running rich.

[axisboldaslove]

a vacuum leak is my second guess...do you have a boost/vacuum gauge...if so what does it read for vacuum?

[MSP2003.5_Nick]

sell the car

[Import1]

I do not have a boost gauge, it was going to be one of the next investments. I do not have a place to mount the gauge so I have put it off.

I do not think I will ever sell this car unless Mazda makes a Mazdaspeed 3 sedan like our Protege. Even then I would have to paint it Spicy Orange!!

[alca0811]

I do not have a boost gauge, it was going to be one of the next investments. I do not have a place to mount the gauge so I have put it off.

I do not think I will ever sell this car unless Mazda makes a Mazdaspeed 3 sedan like our Protege. Even then I would have to paint it Spicy Orange!!

you could always buy the turbo kit for the 2.3 engine and throw it on the sedan. It would actually come out cheaper than the MS3.

[Import1]

Just got my car back today. The shop had to fix something they did wrong. So under normal throttle I am ok. As soon as I go half throttle I get the fuel cut. Too cold to check the plugs right now but friday should be in the upper 30's and I will look at them.

[Import1]

When I start to press the gas but then let off I get a bit of backfire. I am thinking it may be the MAF now before I even look at it.

[Ricktalife]

sell the car

LOL(sssh)

[MSpeedFreak03]

ok could be a few things, check the pluggs, check you vaccum lines, dont think its a waste gate (possible but its brand new), maf sensor would throw a CEL... do you have a CEL... do you have a boost controller, or adjustable wastegate? im thinking along the lines of now your running way to much bost and causing the fuel cut to kick in like a brick wall!

if your turbo is running off your settings previously for the non rebuilt turbo are set wrong... just adjust them and thats probably why your feeling more power!

[haze20]

Your hitting fuel cut. How long have you had the car? Fuel cut is alot more of a problem when its cold.

[alca0811]

maf sensor would throw a CEL... do you have a CEL...

Not necessarily. . . mine never did and it jerked like all hell cause it would be flooded from the excess fuel in the combustion chamber. It caused the plugs to be black as all hell, cause misfiring, and jerking like a motha. . . never threw a cel.

[Import1]

OK, I cleaned the MAF with the MAF cleaner I bought from Advance. It helped, but it is still very rich. Since it helped a little, does that mean that the sensor is bad? I hate to buy parts and throw money away if it does not need it. Any suggestions? I have had the car since it was new. Never had this problem until I put the SLS midpipe and Magnaflow cat back exhaust. The pipe is new and the inside of the tailpipe is already charcoal black. WAY rich!!! I also had the turbo rebuilt and while the turbo was out replaced the WGA with one from Protege Garage. I bought new plugs, but I was afraid to put them in as it was running so rich I did not want to foul them. I also replaced the air filter while I cleaned the MAF sensor.

[Import1]

Not necessarily. . . mine never did and it jerked like all hell cause it would be flooded from the excess fuel in the combustion chamber. It caused the plugs to be black as all hell, cause misfiring, and jerking like a motha. . . never threw a cel.

Sounds like you were having the same problem exactly. So you replaced the MAF and all was fine? I just drove 100 miles and used 1/2 tank of gas. Used to take only 1/4. Good thing gas is not $4 a gallon right now.

[Import1]

Answered my one question. Some crazy B*@&^ cut me off on the highway in the fast lane and continued driving 10mph BELOW the speed limit(burn). I forgot my car was not operating 100% and dropped it down a gear and tried to accelerate. Just then it hit the fuel cut, lunged and I heard metal hit the firewall and a clunking. Finally, the oil light came on and I knew the ride was over as well as the engine.:( I am saving money now to get a new motor and still a way to fix the problem. The MAF was fine, so I think I am going to buy the piggyback computer to control air/fuel. Any suggestions?