MX-3.com

So I took the car in today to get it checked out.<P>They adjusted the TPS or something and changed the oil and it does seem to be running a lot smoother and more responsive which is a good thing.<P>However the car still stalled once on my way home.<P>It seems to only stall while idling, usually when I am waiting at a stop to make a turn or something. Like if I am hitting the breaks a couple times when I am already going slow and need to stop.<P>They didn't change the spark plugs though, they said they were ok however I know for a fact the spark plugs haven't been changed in a long, long time.<P>Should I make them change the spark plugs anyways?<P>Also my engine is high milage, around 220,000km now. They said I should start using the higher octane gas now because it will be better for my engine since I have a lot of milage on it now. Is this true?

Well, I just recently had that problem and solved it (after replacing my fuel filter, and spark plugs) by duct taping my intake boot!! I had a tear in it that I didn't notice until I sprayed the carb cleaner on it.<P>Try looking at that, or you're vacuum hoses.<P>~A

I am going to try replacing the spark plugs next and see if that does anything.<P>I am just going to give my car a day or so to see how it is running, the problem still exists though, I have to be careful while I am waiting at a stop not to tapp the breaks too much or it might stall.

Can't you just take a look at the rubber intake tube for cracks? It's cheaper than the route your taking. Most of the time it is this, like for me just last week. I have 344,000km on mine and runs as smooth as a baby's A##.

Would it be a safe bet to ductape your intake boot anyway? My car is bracing to hit 260000km, and I get some up and down idling... I've had some electrical problems (plugs, wires), and I'm just wondering if maybe I should tape up my accordian intake hose - you know, preventative maintenance. Can't hurt anything can it!

BLITZ make an electronic idle stabiliser which does exectly wha it says on the tin. I had the same problem - jus bought a new boot which solved it - problem with taping it up is that the tape, once tight will move into the boot intself which restricts the flow even more - worsening the problem quite considerably..

Personally i think all mx-3's are known for their idle problems after high mileage. i had the same problem but i fixed it. Turns out it was the tranny, and the tranny computer. They both needed work after that the car runs fine, hasn't stalled on me since!

Just to put an ending on this thread.<P>The problem was the flexable intake boot after the VAF had a split, and ths spark plugs were in disgusting state....<P>Thanks goes to Curt for fixed it for me.