david-s

Title explains it all. Today i was leaving work and my car hesitated to crank, then i got some really rough idle, the rpm was dropping to 500 like it wanted to shut off. Then when i put the car in drive and started going the steering wheel felt very heavy, made clicking noises, and then when i turn the wheel one direction it doesnt counter turn or go back to nuetral when i release it, it just stays in the position i left it in. And the engine makes a very swooshy sound and no its not vtec because it does it under normal driving conditions. After driving it for a while when the engine warms up everything is back to normal. Its been like this for a while but today was the worst. Anybody have any idea????

When i get my next pay check I think im going to change out the spark plugs, spark plug wires, starter, and the idle sensor. It also needs a timming belt badly, my car has almost 135k with no timming belt service and now you can hear the belt making funny noises. Oh, and i need to flush the steering fluid could that be whats causing the odd steering?

01tl4tl

is the battery dieing? go to a parts store for a free check of the system
The car needs a strong battery to run and it runs badly if not a full power
Computer needs proper signal strength etc

good news for you- we dont have plug wires, but you do need plugs that cost 7 bucks each, NGK Iridium IX- thats what you need
Plugs should have been changed with timing belt-water pump
get your cash together for the belt- if it breaks its a $2500 repair to the heads

fsttyms1

No wires, NO need to replace the starter, and no reason to replace the idle control valve.

Also the steering wheel shouldn't go back to neutral position when you let off.

Unless the car continues to do it every time you start it cold i wouldnt start wasting money on stuff.

totaledTL

Surely it's not the timing belt you hear- Check for other sources, if it's really that don't drive it.

fsttyms1

its not the timing belt making funny noises.

david-s

Its not the timming belt making funny noises but theres a pulley next to the right side engine mount thats loose and makes funny noises, a tech told me that it can be replaced when you replace the timming belt. Anyways I still plan on buying some high spark plugs.

totaledTL

High spark plugs- ? Expensive?

andrew070489

^^ no more then $8 each for decent iridium plugs use the NGK

rob-2

This should read 'car acts up because owner fails to service it'

Why you point to the cold weather is beyond me. Don't you see the fat man in the room? Get the car service dude.

My word. Is it just me or are the posts getting stupider?


Next I'm going to read 'Cold weather causes car to stall' - it'll be because they ran out of gas though. but blame the cold.

Our education system has failed.

newperson

iTrader: (2)

Giving the guy the benefit of the doubt, he said he notices the problem when the under-hood temperature is low and not when the temperature is high (e.g., after warm-up). How is that "stupid" or any indication that our education system has failed? If anything, he shows our education system has done some good as he states his observations and even proposes some hypotheses (portion of the "scientific method" we all learned in 5th/6th grade) to explain his problem. Lack of service may be the problem, and it also may not be. Maybe cold weather amplifies the "problem" and has nothing to do with the lack of service. Relax, we all have to start from somewhere.

andrew070489

^^ once the car starts it will obviously heat up so you just stated the obvoius.. the problem is starting the car (hot/cold) doesnt matter. if you cant figure it out yourself take it to service. you probably just need a tune up and possibly a battery.. and X2 for posts getting dumber

andrew070489

oh and get a timing belt and all that good stuff done also!! it would really be a shame to kill your car over it.. you are pushin it with 135k just my opinion, good luck

newperson

iTrader: (2)

Where does the OP mention that?

andrew070489

he says it has a hard time cranking and rough idles =problem starting the temperature will not cause this this is due to a lack of maintenance 135k without even the 100k service get the service done then see how it runs, good luck.

01tl4tl

he had prob dead cold and at 1/4 temp on the guage, which is still cold by the cars computer
First thing to do is install the correct new spark plugs-guessing if needs timing belt it needs the tune up it would have gotten at 105

NGK Iridium IX (not laser or any other words),,it came with NGK platinum and these are the upgrade
parts stores carry them for under 7 dollars each

andrew070489

^^ exactly when mine starts the temp guage is off the chart cold and it survives.

rob-2

I'm sorry if I'm harsh, but the first thing is proper service than work on trouble shooting. For all we know the car could be having trouble getting the spark plugs to fire correctly. That would explain all of the problems. New plugs and service are in order.

I guess, in my time here, I've grown a little bitter to people who fail to service their cars and/or draw the wrong conclusions to early on. State the facts first and look for insight.

If it was really the 'cold' the problem will go away with warm weather. Since these cars opperate properly in a range of temperatures it's clearly uneducated to state the 'cold' did anything to your car. Reminds me of the person who said the cold broke a link arm. Statements like these confirm our education system isn't working. Too many people are ignorant - and in this day and age (internet) it should be getting better not worse.

andrew070489

^^ yeah you tell em'
i definately agree though service the car and spend the $$ you should of at 105k. it will pay off when the car last past 150k instead of blowing the engine....just my

totaledTL

Well, internet 'learning' could mean a lot of things, there's a lot of crap out there, along with good information, to wade through....

david-s

Where in this thread did I ever say the car has not been serviced? You practically called me out for no reason what so ever, you say our education system failed, and you are 100% correct because we were suppose to learn how to read in the 1st grade, and obviously you forgot. I actually take very good care of my car. I have had the tranny replaced, I put in a new intake filter every 6 months, i use premium gas only (even if when it was high) and i change my oil every 3k with synthetic. The only reason I haven't changed my timming belt yet is because I just spent $300 on motor mounts two weeks ago. Not changing my timming belt doesn't mean I am stupid, get over yourself, and think before you speak. I just dont currently have the money because I spend it on college so I wont end up like you! Have a great day.

andrew070489

^^ wont end up like me? im 19 also big shot and i was just trying to help you out. and dont judge whether people go to school or not its a personal choice and many are successful.. you should of had it changed at 100k its 135k say 1 1/2 years of driving.. dont make excuses my advice isnt critical i just dont want you to screw your engine.. good luck!!

newperson

iTrader: (2)

While I agree that ensuring proper & timely service is one of the first criteria that should be met when diagnosing a problem, I don't think it's necessary to call someone's post stupid if the OP allegedly is behind on service...then the thread starts going down the wrong road, something I can personally attest to. Bottom line is that the upkeep of a car costs money, and not everyone can afford to replace any and every thing that goes wrong; laziness isn't always the culprit. He at least mentions he has the intention of replacing parts that may need it.

andrew070489

^^ i agree, but if he is so strapped for cash then whats with all the mods.. i personally put maintenance over mods, but i could be wrong. regardless resume with the thread, sorry.

newperson

iTrader: (2)

^ Yeah I agree with that; maintenance over mods.

rob-2

David,

Bunch of things happen at the 105 service including belts, pump, valves, and spark plugs. If you haven't had the 105 service, you're overlooking something.

3K on syn, YIKES. Car goes 7500 on regular oil. Unless you are idling all day, your car will go the 7500+ on syn.

Get the car serviced, the original belt might not last you much longer and you'll be looking at a much larger bill.

Personally, I would have put $300 towards the belt over the mounts. The belt is absolutely critical to the operation of the car. When it goes so does your motor and it will happen at the least opportune time.

I apologized for coming down on you. It was harsh.

Rob

PS- is it really a good idea to talk about reading/writing skills?

david-s

I already stated that my mods are very cheap, almost steals. And the reason I spent 300 on mounts and not a timming belt was because I had a brand tranny installed by factory and I didnt want it to get messed up. My writing/reading skills are actually very well. If I dont use them on this forum thats because my replies are not for a grade Dr.rob-2

andrew070489

^^ i feel ya well just get on it ASAP!~! if you can pull it off make it a DIY or dont drive the car until you get it done is what i would do.. maybe tax return can fund it?

david-s

hey disregard my rude post earlier, was having a little bit of a bad day. Anyways, thanks for the advice. I have a paycheck coming in next week, I will probably have my cousin fix it for me then. He is a mechanic. I will probably drive a different car till then. Thank you.

andrew070489

good luck let us know how it turns out, and im not sure if your engine needs this (mine does). if your valves are not self-adjusting i would have them done at the same time

fsttyms1

Knock off the arguing and yelling at each other.