HELP ME fix my G/F'S CAR!!! 2000 MAZDA PROTEGE

[fastfed]

The car is a 2000 MAZDA PROTEGE

The car was running good, and then all of a sudden it slowly but surley died down, the car still ran, and idled fine, it was just holding the gears for a long time ( Not a tranny prob. ) The car was very very sluggish, eventually the check engine light came on, then after a thousand miles or so, it started to flash..

she brought it in to get checked and the computer is spitting out, a misfire, and two things about the o2 sensor...

I told her aslong as i know what it is I will do it..
I figured the misfire could of been from a fouled plug or even the o2, so I changed the plugs and put a new o2 in there. the car still runs the same, only the check engine light is now off...

WTF is this crap!! So, now i do not know if the computer will still spit out any more codes, so I am shit out of luck huh?? anyone got an idea??

I checked the wires and they look pretty good, It seems like there might be another sensor or something for the o2, because it smells like its rich, the car will take forever to get going, and if you floor the car rather then slowly getting on it, it will just not move!

So what to do?

EDIT** The check engine light is back on, and the overdrive light is flashing!
I also heard that there are two o2 sensors, is this true?? I changed the one on the exhaust manifold.

[DiS]

misfiring also means a PISTON MISSFIRING. Dunno how to fix it but you might want to take it to the dealer. Just my .02

[fastfed]

misfiring also means a PISTON MISSFIRING. Dunno how to fix it but you might want to take it to the dealer. Just my .02


Ok

a. Is there two o2 sensors?
b. I notice that when I take the oil cap off air pumps out of it, is this normal for an overhead cam car?? I am a pushrod man myself.

[Mxyzptlk]

What did the plugs looked like when you pulled em?

[fastfed]

PLugs looked "ok" Not great but they were not fouled. I guess first thing to do is get the other o2 sensor.

[tonkabui]

could it be a timing belt?

[hi-perf]

Ok

a. Is there two o2 sensors?
b. I notice that when I take the oil cap off air pumps out of it, is this normal for an overhead cam car?? I am a pushrod man myself.a. yes

b. yes

how many miles on the car and is it also a 1.6 or 1.8

[shinzen]

bad maf? clogged fuel line? Check the basics first, air, spark, gas- did you check the plugs to see if they are firing? If not could be the ignition- dunno, most of my experience is with older stuff

[fastfed]

Car is a 1.6 with about 60k on it..

I am going to change the other o2 sensor, then update you guys.

[Kooldino]

The secondary O2 sensor wont help a bit. That's just checking for cat efficiency.

How about spark plug wires? Distributor? What are the plugs gapped to?

[fastfed]

The secondary O2 sensor wont help a bit. That's just checking for cat efficiency.

How about spark plug wires? Distributor? What are the plugs gapped to?


Distributor?? I don't think this car has one.. Wires look " OK " And the plugs were gapped to stock spec, 44

[Jeff Solomon]

I had something like this happen on an older Honda Prelude. Turned out to be the exhuast system. Apparently the cat had disentegrated and pieces of it had been blown into the muffler causing it to become clogged. At first the car was just very sluggish, but eventually it would not start at all. I removed the exhaust at the manifold and it started right up and ran like a champ....although it was loud as hell.

[PhreakV]

I had something like this happen on an older Honda Prelude. Turned out to be the exhuast system. Apparently the cat had disentegrated and pieces of it had been blown into the muffler causing it to become clogged. At first the car was just very sluggish, but eventually it would not start at all. I removed the exhaust at the manifold and it started right up and ran like a champ....although it was loud as hell.
yeah I would check that the car is breathing right. air filter, maf, exhaust. etc...
otherwise check your wires for anything that might be causing a short.

[bruce95fmla]

You should do a compression test on the engine. ( to check for piston ring failure)
You should also check out the MAF.. The 1.6 is notorious for having problems with the MAf.

Did you take the car to the dealer? If it is still under waranty, well wait you said it was a 2000, forget that (no waranty).

Like someone else said, I would take a good look at the exhaust also, put the car on jack stands and have someone rev it in neutral.

[Bijou-MP5]

My car was misfiring it before and I got checked under dealer's computer and it showed that my first spark plug were bad, I checked it and it was all covered with carbons and reinstalled new plug and it worked fine again.

[jalamo1975]

I have a 1.6L 2000 and just got a new mass airflow senson warranty was extende to 100,000 mil as the deler told me.

when they put the car in the computer the first thing they toll me was the mabey the o2 sensors later call me a said it was the Mass Airflow senson(gossip)

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/33/00333078.html

[hi-perf]

yes id have to agree with the MAF.

happens too many times.

[fastfed]

Ok well I guess it could be the MAF, Anyone got pics of it, where its located? I assume by the intake.

Can I clean it out, or just replace it and see if it fixes the prob.

Let me know Thanks

[fastfed]

Ok well, I replaced the Mass air sensor, And all is good.. The old one was all balck and burnt..

Thanks guys, you have been a great help! Keep up the good work!

[hi-perf]

did the dealer take care of it for you?

[fastfed]

Well, I went there and told them about it, they said I need to send in the receipt and mazda will give me the refund.. I will find out more details tomorrow..

I saved my G/F about 600.00 though, This mechanic wanted to charge for all this BS!