20 mpg...my problem has been unfixed!

[AllisMitchChalmers]

Well I have done everything i know. I have a great feelin that this car is gonna end up being sold. Im am having the same problems i had before. It was all good there for a while then it went back. I used to have 16 mpg now i have 20. I have run 2 bottles of injector cleaner through it. Here are more things i have done: fixed the timing, new spark plug wires, new rotor button, new distribitor cap, new fuel filter(which was a HUGE pain in the *** ), and some inspections. I cannot find out why this peice of **** is not gettin at LEAST 30 mpg. And still cant find out why this peice of **** does not have the power its supposed to. My 88 Nissan Sentra which half works and has 150k on the clock has more power than the MX-3. So if i cannot get this car to run like its supposed to i will be forced to sell because I cant afford the gas and im probly gonna get killed gettin on the interstate because of its drag nastyness.

[mitmaks]

ive got same exact problem on 88 civic i had, only 20mpg at the most and its only 1.5, too much gas goes out the pipe unburned failed emissions, not sure what problem is but its in ignition/fuel injection thats for sure

[h8ter]

Hennassee, have you checked your O2 sensor and/or it's connector? I recently had a drop in my fuel economy from 35 to 24 and got concerned and started looking around. Turns out my connector came loose. Check that and try replacing the O2. Also has your MAF ever been messed with? Perhaps its been enrichened. If it has been its not too difficult to dial it back down. I've done this before on Toyotas which use a similar MAF. Simply open the cap, loosen the retaining screw (hold the assembly with your fingers as the spring will want to unwind) and turn the cog counterclockwise by a tooth or two. This is of course a last resort and would require you to monitor engine temps/spark plugs for a while. It's almost like dialing in a carburetor. You might want to try someone elses MAF first.

<small>[ September 10, 2004, 08:36 PM: Message edited by: h8ter ]</small>

[MX3-Freak]

Omg, this is the third post you have created about this (that I know of), and the third one I have answered by saying: replace your damn 02 sensor. <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/ ... screwy.gif" alt=" - " />

[babyblueMX3]

Originally posted by MX3-Freak:
replace your damn 02 sensor. [

these were my toughts too...having bad 02 would mean that your ecu is dumping a $hit load of fuel to prevent a lean condition. This mean you are running rich and it would explain your high fuel consumption and lower power.

[AllisMitchChalmers]

Well people....the dealer told that if

[AllisMitchChalmers]

sry bout that....the dealer told me that the CEL would come on if my 02 was bad. And where would the MAF be and how do i adjust it?

[ryanlindenberg]

general rule of thumb....dealers are retarded...and your MAF is connected to the intake pipe, probably right next to your airbox. it's probably not your MAF though. i also say: replace your O2.

[perhapsadingo8yerbaby]

I've had to replace the O2 sensor on 2 cars that never lit up the CEL. One a Mazda and the other a Yota...

I recommended O2 sensor replacement on the two previous threads. Hennasee, we could all be wrong, certainly entire governments have been wrong about much more serious and weighty allegations recently... but this ain't WMD either. Still recommend you drop the $ on a new sensor. Even if it doesn't solve your prob, and I think it probably will, the current one has around 70K on it already and will go one day soon. Besides, ya said the car sat for 4 years. Quite possible the old O2 sensor surface has some kinda oxidation from not being in a hot exhaust flow for so long... my O2 :p ...

<small>[ September 11, 2004, 03:05 PM: Message edited by: perhapsadingo8yerbaby ]</small>

[BuGS]

Ok first off i would guess it is the O2 sensor. the CEL does not come on. My friend had the same problem. His went from 36 to 20 overnight. No cel, but as soon as he replaced it he went back up to 36. SO replace it. Also it is always good to acually go to a shop and get your injectors TAKEN OUT and cleaned. Just running the cleaner doesn't help if it is already stuck on there. Here in Wenatchee we have to get ours cleaned every year or so because the gas housing tanks around here are all dirty from cheap a** gas. so Everyone gets dirty injectors. But i would go for the O2 and then if it is not fixed talk to us.

[Gro Harlem]

go to autozone. Rent a 1/2" drive "o2 sensor socket". If you need to, buy a 1/2" ratchet or breaker bar.

While you are there, pay the damn $18 for a new universal O2 sensor.

Replace it....


Fuel economy is now 35mpg

[AllisMitchChalmers]

ok i have been convinced. I hope to never post something like this again. I thank all of you for yalls help!