I have a 1994 Mazda 626 2.0 5-speed. I just got a new catalytic converter to pass smog - it did - HC's were high (1 point below max allowable). I then filled up about 1 week later, and then my car started having the issue. It basically is this: When you get the car started and go, more often than not you need to get the rpms up to 2500 before engaging the next gear, if you don't it will start to stall, if you try to work the gas pedal, it will, if you let off completely it normally goes to idle just fine. It can idle for a long time with no issues, but driving can be interesting. If the car does stall, you have a good chance of not getting it started again. It just turns over normally, but never starts. (I had something similar, got the distributer replaced, and it was fixed - about 4 weeks before). If I leave the car on a flat surface, not even a small incline, and a few hours the car may start. By that time, I have already had it towed. 3 Mechanics - different garages, have said, I get fuel, spark, but it doesnt start. Sometimes if I have the a/c or when the fan comes on, and doesn't want to kick off for a while(temperature seems fine by the guage - straight up)on, the problem seems to get more pronounced especially when I am driving and getting stopped at lights. During these times also, sometimes the fan will engage, and if I have been driving alot, it may start to cut out, and can stall at idle, unless I can raise the rpms.
I was thinking possibly that by the time it gets to the shops, the problem is at a diff stage, and so they look at it when it is behaving, an since they dont drive for periods of time, it may not.
The battery is less than a year old, 7 year warr, alternator never changed, (could this be the issue? Not enough juice to produce a big enough spark). The mechanics say the fuel pump and filter are ok - but are they? I was thinking maybe the Fuel pressure regulator, or vacuum leak, or maybe TPS or MAS / MAP?
O2 sensor has not been replaced in more than 5 years.
I am sorry this is so long, but I tried to give you the back story to answer questions.
I normally only use 91 octane gas from chevron or shell
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 AT 12:01 PM
