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car misfires intermittently
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spike53
Novice
May 18, 2012, 9:24 PM
Post #1 of 13
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car misfires intermittently
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I have a 2000 Mazda Miata SE with 27,400 miles. At times it is difficult to start, then misfires resulting in rough idle, low rpms and reduced power. After about 5 or 10 minutes of driving, it "kicks in" and runs smoothly until I shut it off. This does not happen all the time. I took it to a mechanic who charged $160 for diagnosis, "decarbonized" the engine for $350 and gave it a tune up for $320. The next day the same thing happened. Any ideas?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 19, 2012, 3:18 AM
Post #2 of 13
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Re: car misfires intermittently
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Is the check engine light coming on at all?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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spike53
Novice
May 19, 2012, 8:34 AM
Post #3 of 13
(2280 views)
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Re: car misfires intermittently
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Yes. I was told the code shows general misfiring.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 19, 2012, 9:04 AM
Post #5 of 13
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Re: car misfires intermittently
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It's not going to have any carbon at 27K miles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 19, 2012, 9:15 AM
Post #6 of 13
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Re: car misfires intermittently
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Even it did it would have showed on the plugs I would think. What's with these prices! Where is this, downtown NYC?
Since this smooths out when warm my guess with a random misfire code (if that's what you meant) is probably just that the engine always thinks it's already warmed up be that a bad sender or the wiring to it/them,
T
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spike53
Novice
May 19, 2012, 7:24 PM
Post #7 of 13
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Re: car misfires intermittently
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Its Queens, NYC. What and where is this sender and how would it prevent the car from starting and cause the misfiring?
(This post was edited by spike53 on May 19, 2012, 7:29 PM)
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
May 19, 2012, 8:09 PM
Post #8 of 13
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Re: car misfires intermittently
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He didn't specify a certain one because many things can cause this to happen. It needs to be diagnosed so you don't waste a ton of money buying parts that aren't bad. Don't waste your time with the last shop you were at. They hosed you. You need to give us some readings when it WON'T start right. If it fires right up it does nothing but test out good. I want to know what your fuel pressure is at to start, and I also want to know how much it drops pressure while sitting. Do you have any vaccuum leaks? Any lines you can get to are 12 years old, rubber and cheap to buy. My last cheap 12 year old rubber got me 18 years of child support. So if you can change vacuum lines out yourself do it. Costs little and even if it doesn't cure the problem will prevent plenty of them later.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 19, 2012, 8:56 PM
Post #9 of 13
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Re: car misfires intermittently
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OMG Nick - the SRS system of 'puter chair deployed!
!! Tom
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spike53
Novice
May 20, 2012, 10:09 AM
Post #10 of 13
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Re: car misfires intermittently
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Unfortunately, I have no way of getting the fuel pressure readings independently, thus having to rely on mechanics, some of who, evidently, do needless work at exhorbitant prices that don't even fix the problem. Could you recommend a reliable, honest repair shop in Queens, NYC?
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
May 20, 2012, 11:45 AM
Post #11 of 13
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Re: car misfires intermittently
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None of us live there. You can buy a fuel pressure tester at parts stores, some even rent them with a deposit. If you get a subscription to Angie's list you can find reviews of other businesses. Might steer you in the right direction.
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spike53
Novice
May 20, 2012, 5:09 PM
Post #12 of 13
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Re: car misfires intermittently
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Thank You. Appreciate your time and advice.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 21, 2012, 12:42 AM
Post #13 of 13
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Re: car misfires intermittently
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Been ages since I've been in "Queens" but get the idea. 'Burbs of Boston so ok right here. Try mail order if needed. Best of luck and folks here to help. All volunteers here and you are in great hands with Nick.
Tom
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