Protege sputtering spontaniously
February-12th-2006, 04:52 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 65
Protege sputtering spontaniously
Ladies/Gents,
My Protege (about 2 days ago) started to sputter when it is started in Park or in Drive when you come to a stop. Lights were dimming on the dash and the RPM guage was flying all over bellow X1000. This would start on its own and stop, sometimes after I made a turn, I thought the car was going to die. It is mostly spontanious, generally happens when you are in park.
Checked the air filter and connections thinking something got into the intake. Nothing. BUT when i pulled housing to check the filter I could hear lots of muffled popping sound past the filter where the main hose attaches to the main engine body sounded like muffled popcorn popping lol.
I seriously have no idea what it is, when driving, reverse and so on car runs just fine.
I was told though that my battery is weak, I had a squirel living in my engine since I was gone for a few days and I plug my baby with a block heater. Frigin peanuts all over the place, no bite marks noticed on any parts.
Washed the car recently and my spark plugs are overdue by 1k for replacement.
No "check engine" light yet.
Could this be a faulty coil or igniter? Or the Rubber intake boot is cracked??
2001 Protege SE 1.6L
49k - all fluid levels are fine.
Please oh please someone help me!
Ciemny
My Protege (about 2 days ago) started to sputter when it is started in Park or in Drive when you come to a stop. Lights were dimming on the dash and the RPM guage was flying all over bellow X1000. This would start on its own and stop, sometimes after I made a turn, I thought the car was going to die. It is mostly spontanious, generally happens when you are in park.
Checked the air filter and connections thinking something got into the intake. Nothing. BUT when i pulled housing to check the filter I could hear lots of muffled popping sound past the filter where the main hose attaches to the main engine body sounded like muffled popcorn popping lol.
I seriously have no idea what it is, when driving, reverse and so on car runs just fine.
I was told though that my battery is weak, I had a squirel living in my engine since I was gone for a few days and I plug my baby with a block heater. Frigin peanuts all over the place, no bite marks noticed on any parts.
Washed the car recently and my spark plugs are overdue by 1k for replacement.
No "check engine" light yet.
Could this be a faulty coil or igniter? Or the Rubber intake boot is cracked??
2001 Protege SE 1.6L
49k - all fluid levels are fine.
Please oh please someone help me!
Ciemny
February-12th-2006, 05:49 PM
#2
The man behind the mask
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 11,572
Ciemny, where are you located? a 2001 1.6L model wasn't a US model but maybe one of our international members would be closer to you.
It sounds to me like it could be one of a hundred things....I'm just going to ask a bunch of questions...just answer them as honestly as possible and it'll help.
1. Does it sputter when driving or if you floor the gas pedal?
2. how many miles on your car since your last oil change?
3. Are all maintainces up to date (aside from the plugs)?
4. Do you have good gas in the appropriate octane rating?
5. with the hood opened at idle do you hear loud sucking noises like a vaccuum leak?
6. What does your engine oil look like? Is it milky or watery?
7. What is the color of the engine coolant. Should be a strong clear green. If it's cloudy or oily there's a problem.
8. If you shake the pcv valve do you hear it clicking like it should? Does oil fall out of it?
9. Do you have an automatic or manual?
10. If you have an automatic does it shift normally when driving?
It sounds to me like it could be one of a hundred things....I'm just going to ask a bunch of questions...just answer them as honestly as possible and it'll help.
1. Does it sputter when driving or if you floor the gas pedal?
2. how many miles on your car since your last oil change?
3. Are all maintainces up to date (aside from the plugs)?
4. Do you have good gas in the appropriate octane rating?
5. with the hood opened at idle do you hear loud sucking noises like a vaccuum leak?
6. What does your engine oil look like? Is it milky or watery?
7. What is the color of the engine coolant. Should be a strong clear green. If it's cloudy or oily there's a problem.
8. If you shake the pcv valve do you hear it clicking like it should? Does oil fall out of it?
9. Do you have an automatic or manual?
10. If you have an automatic does it shift normally when driving?
February-12th-2006, 08:39 PM
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 65
I live in Ottawa Canada. I dunno if it was the weather has anything to with it, this winter the weather has been wacky, from +5C to -20C.
1. Does it sputter when driving or if you floor the gas pedal?
Sputters when I start the car, or when i slowly pull to a full stop. it MAY or MAY NOT do it, and may spontaniously stop but it jerks the car around, then just stops and the engine goes to normal, most of the time its normal, just does it all of a sudden in these instances.
2. how many miles on your car since your last oil change?
Three weeks since my oil change so 500khm, have semi synthetic blend, new filter. 5w30. Fluid levels are all fine as of this moment.
3. Are all maintainces up to date (aside from the plugs)?
Yes, I made sure to check the manual and most of the items, most needed to be inspected, plugs are the only thing that needed to be changedso far.
4. Do you have good gas in the appropriate octane rating?
I tank up 87 or 89 with ethanol and was doing this from day one. I had the car since Sept 2005. I did put other 87 gas in there a few times with no ethanol. But still no change noticed in engine performance.
5. with the hood opened at idle do you hear loud sucking noises like a vaccuum leak?
I hear a sucking noise comming from beyond the air filter when i open the cover, its past the air sensor, heard it from day one. Its close to where the air tupe connects to the engine after the air clears the filter. More like a hissing noise. But had it for most of the time.
6. What does your engine oil look like? Is it milky or watery?
Watery, a bit redish, i compared it to the leftover stuff in the bottle and looks the same so far.
7. What is the color of the engine coolant. Should be a strong clear green. If it's cloudy or oily there's a problem.
The coolant is a strong green, almost neon. Same color I remember since they pput it in after installing my block heater.
8. If you shake the pcv valve do you hear it clicking like it should? Does oil fall out of it?
Will do that tomorrow and report back.
9. Do you have an automatic or manual?
Automatic.
10. If you have an automatic does it shift normally when driving?
Yes it does shift normally, maybe a little iffy or hard when I start the car, sometimes considering it goes down to -20C here.
Ciemny
1. Does it sputter when driving or if you floor the gas pedal?
Sputters when I start the car, or when i slowly pull to a full stop. it MAY or MAY NOT do it, and may spontaniously stop but it jerks the car around, then just stops and the engine goes to normal, most of the time its normal, just does it all of a sudden in these instances.
2. how many miles on your car since your last oil change?
Three weeks since my oil change so 500khm, have semi synthetic blend, new filter. 5w30. Fluid levels are all fine as of this moment.
3. Are all maintainces up to date (aside from the plugs)?
Yes, I made sure to check the manual and most of the items, most needed to be inspected, plugs are the only thing that needed to be changedso far.
4. Do you have good gas in the appropriate octane rating?
I tank up 87 or 89 with ethanol and was doing this from day one. I had the car since Sept 2005. I did put other 87 gas in there a few times with no ethanol. But still no change noticed in engine performance.
5. with the hood opened at idle do you hear loud sucking noises like a vaccuum leak?
I hear a sucking noise comming from beyond the air filter when i open the cover, its past the air sensor, heard it from day one. Its close to where the air tupe connects to the engine after the air clears the filter. More like a hissing noise. But had it for most of the time.
6. What does your engine oil look like? Is it milky or watery?
Watery, a bit redish, i compared it to the leftover stuff in the bottle and looks the same so far.
7. What is the color of the engine coolant. Should be a strong clear green. If it's cloudy or oily there's a problem.
The coolant is a strong green, almost neon. Same color I remember since they pput it in after installing my block heater.
8. If you shake the pcv valve do you hear it clicking like it should? Does oil fall out of it?
Will do that tomorrow and report back.
9. Do you have an automatic or manual?
Automatic.
10. If you have an automatic does it shift normally when driving?
Yes it does shift normally, maybe a little iffy or hard when I start the car, sometimes considering it goes down to -20C here.
Ciemny
February-13th-2006, 07:27 AM
#5
The man behind the mask
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 11,572
reddish oil bothers me....as does the ethanol in the gas....the car (as far as US specs) is not made to run on ethanol. There may have been some kind of damage after prolonged use. I just don't know for sure.
I would just replace the plugs with fresh NGK platinums, run standard 87octane fuel and check to make sure your oil is ok. I've never seen reddish engine oil....I use purple...but never red.
I would just replace the plugs with fresh NGK platinums, run standard 87octane fuel and check to make sure your oil is ok. I've never seen reddish engine oil....I use purple...but never red.
February-13th-2006, 10:18 AM
#6
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 65
Roddimus Prime: I made sure to check the oil again, even matched the leftover crap in the bottle to the stuff on my dipstick...looks the same. Its seethrough purplish redish color. Its MotoMaster Formula 1, 5w30.
The gas here has 4-5% max ethanol. I talked to a few mechs when I just got the car and they said anything below 5% ethanol is fine for most vechs, since mosre would obviously really mess it up as you have stated.
I also pulled the PCV valve, no oil falls out of it, looks clean and lubbed on the inside.
Da P-Funk!: I dunno if it is the EGR valve, i mean would it do this spontaniously? I had the EGR checked once before, and it was cleaned and adjusted, thought if that was the prob would it do this non-stop and not in spurts??
No check engine lights yet. I ran the car for 10 mins this morring, seems ok, but of course didn't drive it.
Would changing the help? Or just eliminate one possible issue.
Ciemny
The gas here has 4-5% max ethanol. I talked to a few mechs when I just got the car and they said anything below 5% ethanol is fine for most vechs, since mosre would obviously really mess it up as you have stated.
I also pulled the PCV valve, no oil falls out of it, looks clean and lubbed on the inside.
Da P-Funk!: I dunno if it is the EGR valve, i mean would it do this spontaniously? I had the EGR checked once before, and it was cleaned and adjusted, thought if that was the prob would it do this non-stop and not in spurts??
No check engine lights yet. I ran the car for 10 mins this morring, seems ok, but of course didn't drive it.
Would changing the help? Or just eliminate one possible issue.
Ciemny
February-13th-2006, 10:22 AM
#7
The man behind the mask
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 11,572
it would just eliminate a possible issue.
If you have more than 30K miles on your car you should go ahead and replace the sparkplugs...regardless of condition.
One thing I would suggest is buying a can of brake parts cleaner....with the car idling in park just start lightly spraying (in bursts) the carb cleaner around the vaccuum lines. If you notice the idle jump up any you may have a leak there.
It sounds to me like a vaccuum problem...however if it were severe enough it would trigger a CEL eventually. My car will do it after the first idle dip. But I know why mine is doing it...
If you have more than 30K miles on your car you should go ahead and replace the sparkplugs...regardless of condition.
One thing I would suggest is buying a can of brake parts cleaner....with the car idling in park just start lightly spraying (in bursts) the carb cleaner around the vaccuum lines. If you notice the idle jump up any you may have a leak there.
It sounds to me like a vaccuum problem...however if it were severe enough it would trigger a CEL eventually. My car will do it after the first idle dip. But I know why mine is doing it...
February-13th-2006, 12:57 PM
#8
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 65
Roddimus Prime:
I think you might have a point with the ethanol gassoline. Someone informed me today that it tends to clog up the injectors.
Things I might finally do are check for a vacuum leak
Replace the plugs and wires, fuel filter and PCV valve. And stay away from ethanol gas. Will use the fuel injector cleaner a few times after pumping regular gas and see waht that does.
Dunno if having my car sit for a week in the garage had anything to do with it since I was out of town and left the car plugged in.
Also to clean up the ethanol someone sugested popping a few mothballs into the fuel tank?
I think you might have a point with the ethanol gassoline. Someone informed me today that it tends to clog up the injectors.
Things I might finally do are check for a vacuum leak
Replace the plugs and wires, fuel filter and PCV valve. And stay away from ethanol gas. Will use the fuel injector cleaner a few times after pumping regular gas and see waht that does.
Dunno if having my car sit for a week in the garage had anything to do with it since I was out of town and left the car plugged in.
Also to clean up the ethanol someone sugested popping a few mothballs into the fuel tank?
Last edited by Ciemny; February-13th-2006 at 01:01 PM.
February-14th-2006, 07:35 AM
#10
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 65
I don't think it rattles when i pulled it out and shook it, Buying a replacement anyways for it just in case. Will use fuel injector cleaner too since one might beclogged up, or may need proffessional cleaning.
Anyways the Mazda dealer wanted 18$ for a PCV valve, a few of my local auto parts stores sell it for 5$.........why such a difference??? Both look the exact same.
Anyways the Mazda dealer wanted 18$ for a PCV valve, a few of my local auto parts stores sell it for 5$.........why such a difference??? Both look the exact same.
February-14th-2006, 07:39 AM
#11
The man behind the mask
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 11,572
dealer mark-up....get used to it! if you HAVE to have oem parts Ken @ protegegarage.com can get you what your heart desires.
I don't think a bad pcv could cause the problems you're mentioning but it's good to check.
Is this a constant issue or just sporadicaly? If it's constant it could most likely be an ecu or vaccuum issue. If it's only once or twice it could be 100 different things.
I don't think a bad pcv could cause the problems you're mentioning but it's good to check.
Is this a constant issue or just sporadicaly? If it's constant it could most likely be an ecu or vaccuum issue. If it's only once or twice it could be 100 different things.
February-14th-2006, 12:42 PM
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 65
Its sporadic, not constant. Might happen and might not, but it does eventually at least twice on a drive. Im somehow thinking is a restricted or clogged injector that does this when the car idles or is stopped in drive.
February-14th-2006, 02:20 PM
#13
Moderator/ Pocket Tuner
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Tampa,Fl
Posts: 4,150
Matty....There were 1.6L's in 2001 on US models.......
Sounds like a faulty voltage regulator....I had the EXACT same issue with mine, finally the reg took a COMPLETE crap so I was able to diagnose the problem...new alternator, all better now.....
Sounds like a faulty voltage regulator....I had the EXACT same issue with mine, finally the reg took a COMPLETE crap so I was able to diagnose the problem...new alternator, all better now.....
February-14th-2006, 02:23 PM
#14
The man behind the mask
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 11,572
d'oh...I remember you're right...i thought it was just 1,8L in 2001 and then 02-03 were the 2.0L only..
anyway, thats a great idea. I didn't think about a faulty alternator/voltage regulator. One quick way to test it is to turn everything on at idle and see what it does. That would explain why it doesn't act up when you're moving!
anyway, thats a great idea. I didn't think about a faulty alternator/voltage regulator. One quick way to test it is to turn everything on at idle and see what it does. That would explain why it doesn't act up when you're moving!
February-14th-2006, 02:25 PM
#15
Moderator/ Pocket Tuner
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Tampa,Fl
Posts: 4,150
Originally Posted by Roddimus Prime
d'oh...I remember you're right...i thought it was just 1,8L in 2001 and then 02-03 were the 2.0L only..
Actually it was 1.6L and 2.0L in 2001...then 02+ was 2.0L for all models...1.8L was 99-00 Only