please help,wanna keep my mx-3, but not like this!!

[mr.4 cylinder]

i just bought my mx-3, 4 cylinder automatic from an auction two months ago. it was wippen around good , pretty good pick up and i had it about 105 110mph not even pushing it. then one day it made this rattle sound from the engine and pick up since then is much slower and i cant go above eighty miles an hour.. i had a tune up done they said it was my transmission , so i took it to two trans. specialist and they said it was just rebuilt and there was nothing wrong with the transmission. then i had it hooked up to a diagnostic computer and the only code that came up was the oxygen sensor. so i went and got a new one,still no change. then they said sounds like a clogged catalytic converter,got a high flow cat put on, no change. put a custom performance exhaust system with 2and quater in. pipes with performance muffler , still slow and cant go above eighty. please help if you can!!! anyone?! cause im not gonna spend another couple of hundred $ on some a--hole mechanic tryin to rip me and not even fix the problem!!!!!! thanx. <B>null</B><p>[ March 10, 2002: Message edited by: mr.4 cylinder ]

[dam2009]

did you have done compression test ?

[mr.4 cylinder]

thanx for the reply...no,didn't have compression test done,what is a compression test?and how much ? does the problem i have sound familiar ,think it can be fixed? i like the car alot ,but i didnt by it to go as slow as regular 4 cylinder car.

[mazdakjs]

Hey, I have run into this problem, A compression test is a great idea, your mechanic shouldve thought of it. You can buy a compression tester at your local hardware store, Is a gauge that fits into your spark plug hole, (once you have taken one out) turn it over and youll get a reading. try the plug closest to your firewall first, it usually burns hotter. if not check you distributor,. and wires.

[dam2009]

you should do the compession test first ... I can almost guarantee you thats what cause your problem<BR>compression test cost around 50$ and it checks the psi in your cylinders... it should be 120psi/cylinder i had low compression when I bought my mx-3 it was caused by 2 seized valves.. it cost me aroud 500$ to get it fixed (new valves, head gasket,labor,) when my compression was low in 1st cylinder I could not go over 140km/h <BR>and sometimes on a red light it died on me ... (manual trans) so that could be it.<BR>You could get done that test by yourself.. by doing "dry compression test" all you need is the tester tool... around 30$ remove the spark plugs, screw in the tester and crank your engine 5 times, if the psi is below 110 then you know what... remember to check all 4 cylinders... good luck

[mr.4 cylinder]

hey good look on the replies ,kjs and dam2009<BR>i was gettin fustrated and was gonna sell and get another car. but im gonna try the compression test now, and see how much to fix.. cause i like the car alot.. mx-3's are one of the hottest lookin cars , plus when im drivin it feels good ,cause theres not 5000 people drivin around with mx-3's everyones got a retarded honda! :p

[Swego]

Had a similar problem with my last car. Turned out the distributor cap would skip a contact when it was humid outside. WD-40 on the distributor fixed the problem till I changed the distributor. Check if you have good spark.

[T Biller]

I think the first thing you need to do is get a new Mechanic, a bonehead that goes replacing parts without proper testing doesn't deserve $0.50 per hour. That sounds like a story from backyard Joe next door that usualy works on lawnmowers, not a certified Mechanic!

[maydusty1234]

my 92 started doing that and all it was is teh feul pump going out it would bog down at about 80 and there was no acceleration now it tops out at about 140-150 and it was about 100 dollars to replace it was easy i did it myself

[kohlf]

Bro' i hade the same problem on my car as the other cat from Canada ... the compression was way off on 2 of my cylinders ... fortunately tho' my mechanic was a bit higher grade than yours ... sorry guy, its the truth, my mom is probably a better mechanic ... besides the point though ... but right now it is still not a cheap fix ... there are "0" used heads available around here that are in good shape ... I think mine is gonna cost me a mint at the end of it all ... but good luck all the same ... cheers hepcat