1986 Mazda B2000, ~240k miles


Symptoms: crazy bucking and power loss -- has almost no power going up hills, stalls out going up hills probably 1/3 the time if not more, doesn't seem to have enough power to use 3rd gear... Bucks a lot while driving on flat road, etc. It doesn't seem to be transmission related; it's either bucking or the engine about stalls if I give it 'too much' gas.


I've had it since I was ~15, although it sat at home in my parent's driveway for the past 4ish years. They drove it maybe once every week if it was lucky, if not, maybe once every two week or less. Other than this it's always been very reliable and always gotten me where I need to go. I'm the second owner and the first owner is a good friend of mine and always kept meticiulous care of it. I love this truck and would hate to see it die this way.


I drove it up to Raleigh maybe 2.5 months ago when my other car ('97 Camry) was in the shop and I noticed a slight bucking around 70mph that steadily got worse the more I drove it, essentially to the point where it is now. I somehow managed to get it to a friend's apartment complex and get a visitor sticker on it, and there it's sat for awhile as I finished the last part of the semester.

I tried to drive it home to New Bern tonight about an hour ago to see if I could get it back to our regular mechanic who has worked on it since it was new. After traveling about 1 mile and not going faster than ~25mph (bucking all the way) I decided it wasn't happening, and by some miracle got it back to the parking lot.



If you guys have any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

1/12/2009 2:01:19 AM

start by changing fuel filter

if that doesnt work change your fuel pump

problem solved

1/12/2009 6:44:19 AM

dont change your fuel pump unless you know you have poor fuel pressure

my guess is clogged cat

1/12/2009 6:57:05 AM

ten bucks says it's fuel starved.

1/12/2009 7:39:41 AM

^

1/12/2009 7:51:21 AM

I would check the plug wires first, if they are old change them. It takes 4 minutes and they are $23.

1/12/2009 8:28:56 AM

easist thing to do is pull off the fuel line and cut the ignition on, if you have a healthy stream, its gonna be ignition related, if it's a dribble, you have a bad filter or pump

1/12/2009 8:40:05 AM

20 bucks says this fucker has a carburetor.

And sure, it could be ignition related, but given the symptoms, I'd bet that it's fuel starved, and the filter is plugged up with rust. Prolly idles fine, but then the pump can't keep up. Or the fuel pump is bad.

Or alternately, the bowl has a bunch of shit and some water in the bottom of it.

I'll bet the cheeseburger I own Brian (underPSI) plus two additional ones. It's really rare I see plug wire breakdown on the Jap engines. Sure american engines are famous for it, 'cause most american manufacturers put SHIT wires on their engines and use stupidly high firing voltages. Nothing fancy about that engine or its ignition system.

1/12/2009 8:58:02 AM

while i'm not ruling out any of the above suggestions i'm wagering on the bet that it's a problem with the egr system.

1/12/2009 9:13:52 AM

NGR wut?

1/12/2009 9:47:41 AM

if its not the filter, i'll wager the plastic intake line on the pump has a hole in it.

1/12/2009 9:52:41 AM

could be a crackhead that got ahold of the wrong stuff

1/12/2009 12:33:34 PM

Cloged Cat converter

1/12/2009 12:50:49 PM

Quote :

"20 bucks says this fucker has a carburetor."

Yes, it does. What else would you expect? This thing is 23 years old and only has power brakes and steering. No ABS, no airbags, no power windows (and the hand-cranks are starting to get difficult to move), the stereo doesn't work, but thankfully the AC and heating are still operational. If the AC dies I'm screwed since it is apparently R12 based...

Opening up the hood is quite a different experience than on most of today's cars. There's the engine...and a few plastic tubs of coolant/windshield wiper fluid/clutch & brake fluid etc....and that's about it.

Quote :

"clogged CAT"

I don't know the first thing about catalytic converters but would that be likely, since we had that replaced when I was in high school?


Speaking of not knowing much, I wouldn't have the first idea how to do any of this stuff. I have a Haynes manual for the car (...not that I've ever used it ...) but would that be beneficial in doing all these things you guys are recommending?


I really appreciate all the ideas you are throwing out.

[Edited on January 12, 2009 at 1:08 PM. Reason : ]

1/12/2009 1:05:21 PM

^ Depends on what kind of cat you used. Some of the aftermarket ones don't always last too long. At least they are cheap though. See if it is bolted in. If so, just take that sucker out and ride with no exhaust to see if the issue gets better.

My bet is filter too though. It's an old truck. There's probably a good bit of junk in the tank that could clog the tank. Having it sit just makes it worse.

[Edited on January 12, 2009 at 2:15 PM. Reason : l]

1/12/2009 2:11:02 PM

friend just had a fuel pump go out in his carb'd like 87 B2000

1/12/2009 2:38:22 PM

My money's on the fuel filter.

1/12/2009 3:08:14 PM

How much am I looking at to replace the fuel filter or pump? Is this something that I can do, with zero experience working on cars?

1/12/2009 3:31:14 PM

sounds like zxappeal wants your business

1/12/2009 4:24:47 PM

You can probably do the filter in the parking lot at Autozone with a pair of pliers. The fuel pump really depends on the vehicle itself. Sometimes you have to siphon out the gas to lighten it up and remove the gas tank to get to it. Not incredibly difficult, but it can be a chore.

1/12/2009 4:29:18 PM

well if you have to drop the tank, you might as well clean it out

1/12/2009 4:57:56 PM

^ Tr00. The best way I know of is to put a little kerosene in there and dump in a couple hundred bb's. Drive around with it in the back of your truck for about a week. Oh wait, that isn't going to work in this case.

1/12/2009 5:20:14 PM

i'm telling ya, it's the egr system.

1/12/2009 9:39:48 PM

I think I'll start out looking at the cheapest thing and then move to the more expensive possibilities if the first things don't clear up the issues.

1/12/2009 9:53:50 PM

fixing the egr system is free. your truck is no longer required to pass an emissions test. yank the shit out. only thing yanking it out will do is cause the truck to run better even if it's not the cause of your problem even though i still think it is.

wow. first result of searching google for mazda b2000 egr.....

http://www.2carpros.com/forum/1986-mazda-b2000-engine-performance-problems-hesitation-vt3446.html

[Edited on January 12, 2009 at 10:06 PM. Reason : -]

1/12/2009 10:03:59 PM

pretty sure the pump isnt in the tank (I am more of a toyota guy though)

the filter might be easy, but nothing is easier than the wires. just have someone with some experience take a quick spin with you, that should help the diagnosis more than 15 faggots stabbing in the dark on an internet forum

1/12/2009 10:47:25 PM

But Joel, I may be a faggot, but I'm not stabbing in the dark...I shine a light on your butthole before I go to tearing it out...

Depending on where you're at, CharlesHF, and when you're available, I can take a look/check it out.

No homo, by the way.

1/12/2009 10:53:02 PM

gasoline.............. matches

1/12/2009 10:53:08 PM

Quote :

"I don't know the first thing about catalytic converters but would that be likely, since we had that replaced when I was in high school? "

I had a new aftermarket one break apart and clog the exhaust 2 years after it was installed. Ran just like what you are describing.

1/12/2009 11:19:04 PM

Sounds like I gave the generic "Doctor, I have a cough!" symptoms that could be anything....


zxappeal I will be in touch -- heading to bed now but will talk tomorrow. I really appreciate your offer.

1/12/2009 11:44:00 PM

i bet the left handed muffler bearing blinker fluid resevoir on the flux capacitor is low

1/13/2009 6:47:25 AM

so wtf is the outcome of this?

1/26/2009 8:43:48 PM

Got my cousin's husband to haul it off -- he owns a concrete business and was kind enough to put it on one of his trailers. He used to own a truck just like it so he wanted to take a look at it.

Verdict is: clogged fuel filter. It will be fixed shortly, and hopefully that will end the problem. Thanks to everyone to posted, I really appreciate all the responses!

[Edited on February 6, 2009 at 5:26 PM. Reason : ]

2/6/2009 5:25:03 PM

Quote :

"Mr Grace All American 11250 Posts user info edit post start by changing fuel filter if that doesnt work change your fuel pump problem solved 1/12/2009 6:44:19 AM zxappeal I IS WHUPPED 20820 Posts user info edit post ten bucks says it's fuel starved. 1/12/2009 7:39:41 AM 69 All American 11363 Posts user info edit post ^ 1/12/2009 7:51:21 AM 69 All American 11363 Posts user info edit post easist thing to do is pull off the fuel line and cut the ignition on, if you have a healthy stream, its gonna be ignition related, if it's a dribble, you have a bad filter or pump 1/12/2009 8:40:05 AM zxappeal I IS WHUPPED 20820 Posts user info edit post 20 bucks says this fucker has a carburetor. And sure, it could be ignition related, but given the symptoms, I'd bet that it's fuel starved, and the filter is plugged up with rust. "

one of these days people will start listening to us

2/7/2009 9:38:22 AM

Dude, don't hold your breath. I HATE going to funerals.

2/7/2009 11:27:25 AM

I didn't say I didn't believe you -- I just wouldn't know how to find/diagnose/fix that myself, so I was glad someone who does know how took a look at it.

Again, thanks for all the replies, they were very helpful.

2/7/2009 12:44:05 PM