2001 Protege 2.0 random misfire - symptoms

[rtrussel]

A couple of months ago, my 01 Protege began hesitating and the engine light was flashing. I drove the car for a number of hours afterwards and got the problem again. Mechanic said it had a Cylinder 2 misfire code and replaced plugs. Days later, same problem, but now registering as Random Misfire. One mechanic said the coilpacks should be replaced and another said that coilpacks are not the issue, but he couldn't figure out what the problem was.

So, I tried a couple things myself and have the following observations:
1. When it hesitates, stepping on the gas pedal has little or no effect - it just feels like it's stuck for a few seconds and then it kicks back in
2. The problem seems to stop when Pennzoil Gas Treatment is added to the tank and reoccurs on the next fill up without treatment
3. Hesitation tends to happen more when moving up or down hills
4. On at least one occurrence, a large white puff was emitted from the tailpipe (it was dark, so I didn't see it clearly). It occurred while I was travelling up a steep hill and threw the car back in 4th.

When I first saw the big white puff, I thought I'd blown a head gasket, but this isn't the case. Would this have been unburned fuel vapor? I'm thinking a fuel flush and injector cleaner as the next steps. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms and are there any recommendations out there on what to do??

 

[DiS]

hmmm sounds a bit familiar to ViCS problem but let me ask you something before making any asumptions. Do you hear any kind of loud clunking/ticking from the motor while idling in one spot or driving? If so, is it rpm dependant? (meaning does the clunking get faster when rpm increase?)

 

[rtrussel]

Do you hear any kind of loud clunking/ticking from the motor while idling in one spot or driving? If so, is it rpm dependant? (meaning does the clunking get faster when rpm increase?)

Thanks for your reply - no, I don't hear anything out of the ordinary when idling or moving. The car runs and sounds absolutely perfect and then the hesitation will seemingly come out of nowhere.

One more observation - the other day I was parked on a downhill slope - the car hesitated to start, idled extremely low/rough and died. When I restarted, it was fine again. The gas tank was nearly full at the time.....

 

[DiS]

in that case, I have to say that you have a damaged EGR valve. I had this s*** happen to my car when I had ViCS problem (long story, hehe, if interested in info, look for stickied thread "ViCS screw list"). Car started decelerating pretty fast on the highway, like it wanted to die (was at 50mph) so I put it in neutral and It fell below the idle...good thing I cought it in time and threw it back in 3rd gear to get some high rpm going). As soon as I pulled into the parking lot and came to a stop, my car just died. I tried starting it but it wouldn't. It took me 15-20 seconds to get it started and I also had to pump the gas pedal to get it going. Once it started, I let the clutch go and it died again. Towed the car to the dealer and they replaced the EGR valve. They said it was damaged internally. Since my EGR valve was replaced, I didnt have this problem anymore.

Hope this helps.

 

[rtrussel]

Thanks DiS,

I heard that the EGR valve is a weakspot on this model. I discussed this with a mechanic who said that the diagnostic would differentiate it from a random misfire, but I'm starting to doubt that now. When I think back, my sister was driving behind me one night and said she smelled a bad exhaust odor but wasn't sure if it was me or not. I suspect a faulty EGR would cause smelly exhaust, so I'll definitely discuss this with my local mechanic. I appreciate your feedback and I'll let you know how things go....

rtrussel

 

[DiS]

Thanks DiS,

I heard that the EGR valve is a weakspot on this model. I discussed this with a mechanic who said that the diagnostic would differentiate it from a random misfire, but I'm starting to doubt that now. When I think back, my sister was driving behind me one night and said she smelled a bad exhaust odor but wasn't sure if it was me or not. I suspect a faulty EGR would cause smelly exhaust, so I'll definitely discuss this with my local mechanic. I appreciate your feedback and I'll let you know how things go....

rtrussel

yea if EGR valve goes to s***, your emissions will get worse, which will result in more unburnt fuel coming out of your exhaust. That is what your sis was smelling. Yea man, it really sux ass.

Please keep us updated. I hope that you will take care of the problem asap (thumb)

 

[ebmp5]

A couple of months ago, my 01 Protege began hesitating and the engine light was flashing. I drove the car for a number of hours afterwards and got the problem again. Mechanic said it had a Cylinder 2 misfire code and replaced plugs. Days later, same problem, but now registering as Random Misfire. One mechanic said the coilpacks should be replaced and another said that coilpacks are not the issue, but he couldn't figure out what the problem was.

So, I tried a couple things myself and have the following observations:
1. When it hesitates, stepping on the gas pedal has little or no effect - it just feels like it's stuck for a few seconds and then it kicks back in
2. The problem seems to stop when Pennzoil Gas Treatment is added to the tank and reoccurs on the next fill up without treatment
3. Hesitation tends to happen more when moving up or down hills
4. On at least one occurrence, a large white puff was emitted from the tailpipe (it was dark, so I didn't see it clearly). It occurred while I was travelling up a steep hill and threw the car back in 4th.

When I first saw the big white puff, I thought I'd blown a head gasket, but this isn't the case. Would this have been unburned fuel vapor? I'm thinking a fuel flush and injector cleaner as the next steps. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms and are there any recommendations out there on what to do??

i having the same problem also. and this is keeping me from being able to boost with my car.

i am getting both symton's as u and DIS. but my car run's tho.

i get the random misfire's and my car want's to die when i take the cluth out and want to come to a stop. but it pick's it self back up and doesn't die.

also when i start in the morning the idle tend's to bounce up and down alot and then settle it self.

this is what i done so far and had some sort of progress.
1- clean out the egr valve
2- check my o2censor's.
3-swap my ecu cuz the other one i had was fried.
4- i had a falty ground wire.
5- swaped my maf sensor aswell.

well i dont no what to next so if find out what happend let me no bro thx
emilio

 

[DiS]

i having the same problem also. and this is keeping me from being able to boost with my car.

i am getting both symton's as u and DIS. but my car run's tho.

i get the random misfire's and my car want's to die when i take the cluth out and want to come to a stop. but it pick's it self back up and doesn't die.

also when i start in the morning the idle tend's to bounce up and down alot and then settle it self.

this is what i done so far and had some sort of progress.
1- clean out the egr valve
2- check my o2censor's.
3-swap my ecu cuz the other one i had was fried.
4- i had a falty ground wire.
5- swaped my maf sensor aswell.

well i dont no what to next so if find out what happend let me no bro thx
emilio

on the contrary, hehe
ebmp5, do you get the clunking?

 

[idrivemazda]

i get the clunking as well and ticking noise is really loud. My dad says is one of the valves. I also am loosing oil really quick. Can someone tell me what to do?

 

[Protephile]

Clunking from inside the engine compartment + rough idle = very bad.
Please describe your problem in more detail...

 

[rtrussel]

Well, back to my mechanic today who hooked up the computer to my car and found a "multiple misfire" code - the guy is revered for his knowledge of Japanese cars and he says there's no indication the problem is in the EGR valve as the computer would indicate this, although he said himself it's common on the 01 Protege's (my gut tells me the EGR might still be the driving factor...). He said in his experience there's a 50/50 chance it has something to do with the ignition system and if not that then maybe the fuel system, O2 sensor, or the throttle position sensor. I'm not sure if he really caught the smelly exhaust symptom when I was going through my issues, so maybe a pollution test might lend more clues here.

He also said there was a second code reading, apparently "unrelated" having to do with the catalytic converter. Threw some potent fuel system cleaner in the tank tonight and will see what it does in the coming days.

This could get bad - any other ideas floating out there? DiS, do you know anything about these computer readings and could this guy be wrong?

 

[DiS]

i get the clunking as well and ticking noise is really loud. My dad says is one of the valves. I also am loosing oil really quick. Can someone tell me what to do?

here is the thread about ViCS screw failure problem. You might have it.
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123619298

Well, back to my mechanic today who hooked up the computer to my car and found a "multiple misfire" code - the guy is revered for his knowledge of Japanese cars and he says there's no indication the problem is in the EGR valve as the computer would indicate this, although he said himself it's common on the 01 Protege's (my gut tells me the EGR might still be the driving factor...). He said in his experience there's a 50/50 chance it has something to do with the ignition system and if not that then maybe the fuel system, O2 sensor, or the throttle position sensor. I'm not sure if he really caught the smelly exhaust symptom when I was going through my issues, so maybe a pollution test might lend more clues here.

He also said there was a second code reading, apparently "unrelated" having to do with the catalytic converter. Threw some potent fuel system cleaner in the tank tonight and will see what it does in the coming days.

This could get bad - any other ideas floating out there? DiS, do you know anything about these computer readings and could this guy be wrong?

well as far as I can tell, computer readings would be corrent one way or another. Any mechanic is different, and some mechanics might have a different opinion.

One of the other things that I can recommend, is pulling the spark plugs out and checking the gap on each of them. I dont remember whats the correct gap but you shouldnt have any problem looking it up here on the forums (thumb). Plus since its Multi-cyl. misfire, it also might be one of 2 coil packs. See if you can go back to that mechanic and swap the coil packs from one to another's place. Then run the diagnostic test on a computer again and see if multi-cyl. misfire code changed from 1 and 2 cylinders to 3 and 4th or vise versa.

By the way you can always buy an OBD-II scanner at any local auto store (pep-boys, auto-zone) and check the CEL codes by yourself. Thats what I do.

 

[idrivemazda]

Damn im having the same problem with the whole turning and engine light coming on. I'm so clueless but then i look at my engine cover/valve cover and there is a quater size oil leak by the oil cap. So im thinking is it from there im loosing my oil. Then my dad says its one of my valves that is messed up because there is a ticking noise from the engine and clunking noise and thats whats robbing the horse power and oil. Where should i start by fixing this problem? is it common on these cars? oh and i did one more thing i checked my spark plugs and they are done so i replaced them and less then 3 mths i had to replace them help guys?
__________________

 

[Protephile]

Damn im having the same problem with the whole turning and engine light coming on. I'm so clueless but then i look at my engine cover/valve cover and there is a quater size oil leak by the oil cap. So im thinking is it from there im loosing my oil. Then my dad says its one of my valves that is messed up because there is a ticking noise from the engine and clunking noise and thats whats robbing the horse power and oil. Where should i start by fixing this problem? is it common on these cars? oh and i did one more thing i checked my spark plugs and they are done so i replaced them and less then 3 mths i had to replace them help guys?
__________________

One way is to pull your plugs and look at them closely, esp. #4. If there is
damage (like something hitting it damage) or the gap is closed, get it to the dealer immy.

 

[DiS]

Damn im having the same problem with the whole turning and engine light coming on. I'm so clueless but then i look at my engine cover/valve cover and there is a quater size oil leak by the oil cap. So im thinking is it from there im loosing my oil. Then my dad says its one of my valves that is messed up because there is a ticking noise from the engine and clunking noise and thats whats robbing the horse power and oil. Where should i start by fixing this problem? is it common on these cars? oh and i did one more thing i checked my spark plugs and they are done so i replaced them and less then 3 mths i had to replace them help guys?
__________________

idrivemazda: You have to stop driving your car NOW! otherwise you will cause more problems to the motor. I've made a write-up regarding the problem that you are experiencing. Read more info here http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123619298 (thumb)

hope you will get your car fixed asap!!!

 

[suki]

I am haveing the same problem now for almost 2 months. (rant)

I had the front oxygen sensor replaced and it was fine for 2 days.

I just had a friend run it again and he said I need to replace the catalytic converter because its clogged.


My car just rolled 60k and i'm about to drive it in the river. (rant)

 

[idrivemazda]

thank dis i hope i get my car fix! how much do you think im looking to spend

 

[DiS]

thank dis i hope i get my car fix! how much do you think im looking to spend

deppending on the damage man. How many miles do you have on your car again? When my ViCS screws failed to hold up, my car was only at 32k miles and it was fixed under warranty. Dealer spent $5,429 USD on parts and labor (labor was almost 750 bucks or something like that). If your cylinder head is still fine (no scratches) then in a worst case you will have to replace the intake manifold. Thats gonna be around 470 bucks I presume.

 

[rtrussel]

Hi suki,

Interesting about your catalytic converter as this came up on the computer with my protege that has just over 60k miles on it! I'm not overly mechanical and I'm wondering if a clogged cat converter could actually cause a misfire due to insufficient exhaust flow???

 

[DiS]

Hi suki,

Interesting about your catalytic converter as this came up on the computer with my protege that has just over 60k miles on it! I'm not overly mechanical and I'm wondering if a clogged cat converter could actually cause a misfire due to insufficient exhaust flow???

do you actually get the misfire code or do you get a "CAT something something under threshhold"?