Mazda Protege 5 hestitating at around 50km and then again at 80km

[bunka]

Hi all,

So, right off the bat I am going to admit I don't know a whole lot about cars so I am hoping someone here can help me.

In early December 2010 my 2003 Mazda Protege was rear-ended. All in all it was a very small accident that split the bumper and cracked the foam so this whole piece had to be replaced. Then after this the car started to act weird.

When I am driving uphill/under load just before I hit 50km an hour it starts to hesitate and lurch, but if I give it more gas it will disappear until I back off the gas and then it starts again. It feels like it misses or stutters a at low revs between around 2000rpm when I slightly accelerate to maintain traffic speed, especially around 40-60 kms sometimes in high gear around 80-120 kms.

So far I have:

• replaced the coil packs and the spark plugs (looks pretty clean, no sign of oil leaking into the holes)
• put in a fuel injection cleaner when I filled up... still getting the same missing.

Since our mechanic couldn't find the issue, I took it to the Mazda dealership. They couldn't find anything on the computer and decided it was a transmission issue. They replaced the filter, strainer and trans fluid, there were no metal bits when they took off the tray but when I drove it away (and paid a fair amount) it was still doing the shuddering.

They think it might be something electrical...I kind of think it is something small but I am concerned that it will cost me more than the car itself to chase down the issue. Does anyone have any ideas or tips of what this could be?

I really appreciate all your help!

Thanks

 

[flash75]

Look for damages to the evaporative emissions equipment or associated hoses
in the area near the rear bumper. That could possibly be your problem.

Clifton

 

[bunka]

Thanks

Thank you for the reply, I have it back in the shop tomorrow so I will suggest that they maybe take a look at these.

 

[p5TO]

I'm not sure if it's the same thing but my P5 was stuttering occasionally. It turned out that the tensioner spring on the timing belt came off. There was a noticeable noise coming from the passenger side of the engine (location of the timing belt).

 

[bunka]

Hi there,

There is no noise, it just stutters and the revs before kicking into gear. It is slipping in 4th and the mechanics think it is the transmission....