EastTexasMax

My car is down right now and I am trying to get some input on what could be the problem. The car seems to have a loss of power as when I drive, it kind of feels like someone is tapping the break and cutting some of the power. It cruises and then it slows and then it speeds back up. Also the exhaust is a dark gray and has a pungent gas smell to it. Dont really know what caused all of this, but I am afraid to know what it is going to cost to fix... Thanks for all of your help.

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

Any codes stored in the ECU? (Is the check-engine-light on?)

EastTexasMax

No codes, actually I have had nothing wrong other than what I think is the heater core. when I turn the heater on and by the way nothing works on the fan setting but "4", it smells like burnt rubber and sometimes smoke comes out of the vents. But as for the gas smell, I have no visual indications that anything is wrong.

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

The reason your fan only works on 4 is the resistor pack near the blower motor is shot - it is probably causing the burning smell too - look in the stickies for more info on replacing it - its easy - costs 40 bucks and will take 5 mins.

Sounds like you are running really rich... could be your O2 sensors or your ECTS.

EastTexasMax

the shop that wants to work on the car wants to start with the computer- 20.00, and if they cant find anything there... Do a compression test- 40.00, and if nothing there then check the fuel system. They said that if they have to do all three it should cost no more than 100.00 to diagnose.. Then there is fixing all that is wrong. ?ECTS? I dont know what that is. The o2 sensors are relatively cheap though arent they.

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

ECTS - Engine coolant temperature sensor - 25 bucks, 10 mins to replace - in the upper radiator hose.
O2 sensors are 60 bucks a piece (or so) - easy to replace yourself too...

Not sure what the shop is going to do with the computer other than try to pull codes and if the check engine light is not on, that means there is nothing stored (other than maybe 0304 - a knock sensor code - which won't cause the symptoms you describe).... you can try pull the codes yourself - see the stickies for more info.

If you aren't comfortable doing diagnosis and or repair yourself, you don't really have much of a choice but to go to a shop.

How many miles on the car? has all the regular maintenance been performed in a timely manner (plugs, filters, etc.)?

EastTexasMax

I just turned over 141k. The oil gets changed monthly, (the car is driven by more than just me, but I make sure the oil is changed and my brother watches the rest) I dont know if he has changed the plugs or not, I know we have not put it in the shop for any repairs yet, we just bought it in February of this year and it had right at 100k on it.

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

You may want to start with getting all the basic maintenance done on the car.. do everything listed under the 60k service in your manual, a coolant flush, and if its an auto, then do a tranny flush too.

Back to the running rich - O2 sensors or ECTS are my best guesses.

EastTexasMax

thanks for all of your help. It's a 5 speed so I can skip the tranny flush.