So I'm at home for the break, and been driving around the ole beater from high school, and this thing has gone down hill fast. its a '95 Mazda 626 and when it idles, it does so around 600-700 RPM. whats the quickest/easiest/cheapest way of fixing this?

3/7/2008 9:48:30 AM

it really depends on what the problem is... could be as simple as a vacuum leak.

3/7/2008 10:15:42 AM

I'd say the vacuum leak is a possibility, although I once had a 626 that had a low idle... It turned out to be a combination of the O2 censor and the catalytic converter. There are censors that tell your engine how much oxygen you're getting in and when one of those go bad, it feeds bad information, and tells your engine to do things it should not, like your idle problem.

3/7/2008 10:32:56 AM

Quote :

"There are censors that tell your engine how much oxygen you're getting in "

oh really?

3/7/2008 10:44:22 AM

1) I would say, start off with some fuel injector cleaning solution as a simple quick test. Also pump in some high grade fuel for good measure. If that seems to help your idle issues, then the problem probably lies with spark plugs, injectors, and the fuel system.

2) Could also be an air intake issue. Next cheap solution would be to check your air filter and MAF (mass air flow) sensor. Make sure it's all clean. Be careful messing around with MAF though. Search google for instructions.

3) Are you throwing a CEL? Maybe you can get it checked for error codes.

4) If that doesn't work, then you'll have to get into some nitty gritty stuff. Test and look around for vacuum leaks like the guys mentioned.

5) If you can't seem to figure out the problem. Then there probably isn't a quick/simple/cheap fix for your car.

After owning a beater through high school and college myself, I've learned my lesson with cars. Go ahead and spend the extra money and drive around in a decent car. The effort and time you put in to keep your beater running is not worth the money you save. In the end, you may end up paying more money to fix it anyways.

3/7/2008 11:44:11 AM

^ I would disagree completely with your 'blanket' statement about beaters vs. 'good cars'
Depends on what your beater is vs. a 'good car.'

[Edited on March 7, 2008 at 2:03 PM. Reason : ]

3/7/2008 2:03:01 PM

^ Well duh... There is a huge difference between a beater Honda Civic and a beater Dodge Neon. There is also a difference between a well maintained Chevy Prism and a neglected one. Everything is relative. Just remember to use common sense.

Basically, if you're going to spend $1,000 on a beater (insert brand A), go ahead and spend $6,000 and get a slightly newer and decent (insert brand A).

Of course, if it was free, then you shouldn't be complaining anyways. Live with what you got. If it breaks down, just throw it away. That's probably your quickest/easiest/cheapest solution

Besides, it's all subjective.

3/7/2008 2:43:38 PM

^^^
1) done
2) done as well
3) told mom (whos driving the car) whats it would probably take to fix it, and she said, and i quote "i am going to kill this car, then get a new one"

pretty much I'm taking it as she doesnt really care anymore, just waiting for the thing to die, then upgrading.

thanks for the input guys.

3/7/2008 3:51:40 PM

how could you tell her what it would take to fix it? did you find the problem?

did you check for vacuum leaks?

3/7/2008 4:07:48 PM

whatever version of an idle air control valve that car uses is what i'd suspect

3/7/2008 4:12:09 PM

get a can of carb cleaner and spray around the intake manifold to head mating areas with it running... if it smoothes out theres your leak, also spray around the injector-manifoold o-rings....assuming it has the 4 cyl- i've seen the intake gasket go out on these a couple of times

[Edited on March 7, 2008 at 6:06 PM. Reason : ]

3/7/2008 6:05:40 PM