Can't believe I bought a MX-3

[Bradhobbs]

The Escort GT has nearly the same engine but its like a 1.8L the plugs are different .. Im not sure on the Escort LX it has a 1.9L engine so its a little different.

[tehbrookzorz]

At any rate, wires for the 4 banger are pennies compared to those for the V6.

[SuperK]

spark plugs - 1.80/each. Go ahead and buy them, whether you think yours are good or bad. get ngk copper plugs. I think they're the ngk g-powers? the cheap ones. They're the best.
spark plug wires - 15-30 dollars (rockauto.com) definitely worth the investment.

Also, since you're having problem with your heater and such, replace your thermostat. Thermostat is something of 15 dollars (remember the gasket) and it's supposed to be changed very regularly... but gets overlooked.


Distributor cap: 5-10 dollars
Distributor Rotor: 5-10 dollars


these are all cheap, basic, but extremely ESSENTIAL tune-up procedures. You don't have much money, but you're in luck. Because this is cheap.

[PatMX3]

i think that alot of people forget really when they started pumping out our MX-3's... Depending if the person abused/or used it alot, its gonna have problems by the time you get it on your hands!. Also, all cars should be checked out before you actually buy a car, hire a mechanic 2 check on its overall shape!. The fact of how old they are, its no wonder most of its owners are mechanics!..

[Bradhobbs]

Well I only paid $1,000 for the car.. I put the new spark plugs in -- did nothing but made it idle to 1500 still have no power, now the pipe that runs from the exhaust manifold is smoking also I started the car up for 3 minutes heat wasn't on or nothing .. I turned it off wait about a minute took the cap off to fill it up with water and it was boiling over I dont think it should be boiling over after just 3 minutes should it? I set the gap on the spark plugs to .044 but that seemed to do nothing .. The exhaust also smokes a lot of times when I have the heat on its white and smells like salt water boiling.

[Bradhobbs]

Looks like its time to get full coverage..

[Bradhobbs]

If anyone wants to buy it ill take $1,500 cash for it I found me a 2000 Volkswagen Passat that im going to buy.

[ElectricEnergy]

Unfortunately no one is going to give you $1500 for a car with a blown head gasket... You'll be lucky to get your money back. You should have had it checked before you got it.

It's not expensive to replace the head gaskets..... but it takes a lot of work, don't bother getting a shop to do it for you because it will probably cost more than what you payed for the car.

[Bradhobbs]

So you really think it has a blown head gasket? I will change it out if thats what it takes to get $1,500

[ElectricEnergy]

Oh, i thought you confirmed that already. That's what it sounds like to me. Generally if your burning white smoke its because coolant is getting into the combustion chamber somehow.

[Shades]

If you had done a compression test you would have found out that you blew a head gasket. Cylinders 2 and 3 are not firing cause the head gasket is blown, and your heater doesn't work cause it's leaking coolant into 2 and 3. Also when you run out of water you overheat the engine and warp the head even more.

Stop driving the car or else keep that coolant topped up or else you're gonna get stranded on the side of the road.

[taylor_matt]

I just bought my mx-3 about a month ago and wish i had of taken a better look because mine too has a blown head. So i think i',m just going to do a bp engine swap.