i am getting poor gas mileage (22 mpg); its idling high sometimes; and i am getting a weid bearing noise in neutral (5 speed). are these related? i already changed the air and fuel filter. i had codes for a oxygen and knock sensor. i cleared them when i replace the pcv valve and they haven't come back. the pcv was bigger than oem. the previous owner didn't really take care of it. any help would be great.

 

I have a 95 and when I bought it, it was crappy. The engine light was on the transaxle leaked, bad axles, brakes, clutch, tires. I think I know what noise you are talking about, I can hear it when I let off the clutch in neutral, I have found that the only time it makes this noise is when its cold out side or the car hasn't warmed up. I have worked and worked on it and it is running great now with some upgrades but for the most part a little TLC will go a long way.

 

22 MPG is not bad MPG... I get like 14-16

http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/804
http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/805

 

Your bearing problem in neutral is your throwout bearing. The throwout bearing is a small bearing that requires removal of the entire clutch kit for replacement. My throwout bearing was bad when I bought my car, and I ended up replacing the whole clutch kit. ($800)
The bearing would make a whining noise every time I would let the clutch out in neutral. Of course this would get louder when the engine was colder, and idling higher. It is still there when the engine warms up, but it is spinning slower so it isn't as loud. There is also a chance that your input shaft bearing is bad. This is a bearing within your transmission. If your transmission fluid is low, then this could very well be the problem. Check your tranny fluid ASAP. My axle seals were leaky a long time ago, and I didn't realize it until I had about 1/10 of the recommended fluid in the tranny, which prompted all of my bearings to sieze up. This tranny rebuild cost me over $1000.
CHECK YOUR TRANNY FLUID LEVEL AND AXLE SEALS.

As for your gas mileage "problem", many Max drivers would love to get 22 mpg. Are you talking about 22mpg city or hwy? In the city that's pretty typical for me, but in the cold weather I occasionally see 19mpg city.

-Paul

 

well its more like 20 and its half and half i read som people getting 480 to a tank and i would like to. i can't check my tranny fluid cause some fu**er has putty on the treads so i can't get the bolt out. i have a resivoir up top that is clucth fluid and it is fine. i was just wondering if the knock sensor would be helpful. they aren't that cheap at least just to be guessing.

 

anybody else have any ideas

 

480 is way at the top end of what you should hope for, like on a long highway trip. You won't get that doing city driving.

 

480 is way at the top end of what you should hope for, like on a long highway trip. You won't get that doing city driving.

 

well i would like to get as close as possible

 

Dont expect much more than 400 (and thats highway)

 

yeah it is your throwout bearing