MY CAR BROKE DOWN FOR THE SECOND TIME..... (update page 4)

[Okibi]

How often do you run your fuel tank on almost empty Syl?

AFAIK The fuel pump uses the petrol to help keep it cool, perhaps make sure you've got plenty of fuel in there.

Lou's explained that it would still have spark to 2 cylenders if a coil pack died but I dont know if the MX engine would start and run on 2 cylenders or just conk out like you've explained, i've never tried.

[Okibi]

Also have a look at your Crank Angle Sensor, make sure thats not loose.

[Agro]

How often do you run your fuel tank on almost empty Syl?

AFAIK The fuel pump uses the petrol to help keep it cool, perhaps make sure you've got plenty of fuel in there.

Lou's explained that it would still have spark to 2 cylenders if a coil pack died but I dont know if the MX engine would start and run on 2 cylenders or just conk out like you've explained, i've never tried.

I am really naughty and run it down to empty quite frequently even though I know I am not supposed to!

I believe that our car (nb8b) would not run on 2 cylinders.

[Agro]

Also have a look at your Crank Angle Sensor, make sure thats not loose.

Where and how? Help me out, I have no one around me to ask at the moment.

[Agro]

Sounds more like the fuel pump or pickup to me Agro. Can you see if you're getting a spark next time it conks.

Another, how do I do that question plesae?

I am pretty ok at finding out how to test and do stuff myself, so explinations or even diagrams are good.

[AJ]

Sounds more like the fuel pump or pickup to me Agro. Can you see if you're getting a spark next time it conks.

Another, how do I do that question plesae?

I am pretty ok at finding out how to test and do stuff myself, so explinations or even diagrams are good.

takes 2 people, but is fairly simple Agro.........first step is to pull a plug lead & expose the metal end on it & while someone cranks the engine for you, hold the exposed lead close to anything metal & you should see a spark jump between the lead & the metal on about a 4 second interval.......then you'll know at least you have spark as far as the plugs.............if it DOESN"T spark for you, then you'll have to work from the coil packs & see if you can get any sort of spark happening at that end with the ignition turned ON...if no.........you'll need a test light to check if the coil pack is getting power............all a process of elimination really........say you have power to the coil pack, but not coming OUT of the coil pack, it is cactus.............power coming out of the coil pack but not the leads..........leads are dead.............spark at end of leads..............plugs themselves are dead.......& so forth..........you can even pull a plug, leave it hooked to the lead & get someone to crank the engine while you ground the side of the plug against something metal in the engine bay.................you'll track it down eventually

[Okibi]

I wouldnt hold spark plug lead while someone cranks the engine, i'd sit it on the cam cover with a screw driver or spare spark plug set so I could see the spark, I know it's coil on spark but its probably best practise to avoid doing it all together.

[Craig]

Fuel pump!

[StanTheMan]

you work at a dealership. You have mechanics there. You probably have a whole warehouse full of spare parts. You are a Wog with charm.......what gives Agro? Get these kids to fix your car!!!

I have a spare OEM fuel pump. its the whole contraption. the one Mazda want $900 for.

I bought it off Mania for my NA.I'm sure its out of a NA8. I've never installed it. You are welcome to Loan it. If it solves the problem and you want to leave it in your car.....the pump owes me $150. Bear in mind for $230 you can get a brand new high powered one for your turbo application at Mania.

If it doesn't work you know its not the fuel pump. even if you turns out to be the problem.....you are welcome to return it & get the new part........at least its not going to cost you too much to test it.

let me know You can pick it up from The Corso in Manly in your lunch hr maybe.

I might just take it to work Today......PM me if you are interested.

[Benny]

Sounds like the fuel pump to me too.
My first NA had the same problem.
When it was around 5-6 years old, it would just cut out for no good reason, and refuse the start.
If I left the car for 30 minutes or so, it would start up again, but might only run for a minute, or for hours. You could never tell.

It never did it when cold, for some reason, and would only cut out when it was hot.

Good luck Agro.

[Russellb]

Sounds Like Coils to me
An easy check is next time it stops pour some water over the coil packs
and see if it restarts ( By water I mean about 1/2 A litre )
This will cool the Electronics in the coil pack's
If it Works then you need new coils If not look somewhere else
Give it a try you have nothing to loose

[JBT]

Agro's car has a \"coil on plug\" system.

[Agro]

you work at a dealership. You have mechanics there. You probably have a whole warehouse full of spare parts. You are a Wog with charm.......what gives Agro? Get these kids to fix your car!!!

I've had it at the work shop for 3 days in total, and they recon they have tried all these test and can't locate the problem.

I am frustrated and angry that my car keeps letting me down and no one at work can pick what's wrong! (speculate)

You guys on the forum seem able to diagnose what's going on and give me things to try to work it out............

Thanks for the offer Stefan, but I do not have internet access and have only just read the forum.......

I will keep plodding along and see when the bugger totally packs it up. My concern is it packs up in peak hour traffic with a semi up my ar$e or even over the Xmas break when no one is available to fix the darn thing!

[Okibi]

Simple, just offer to cook up a feast and hold a \"fix sylvia's car\" dodgy day.

[Agro]

Simple, just offer to cook up a feast and hold a "fix sylvia's car" dodgy day.

That's true, I haven't done a "Sylvia's cooking/feeding help day for a long time! Might be on the cards........