nice2know

Okay, im looking for advice and opinions on my situation. First off my car died and needs repair. i have a automatic 2004 with 45,000 miles. I took it to a mechanic and heres what they told me.

- catalytic converter is bad, i need new one
- one fuel injector is bad, he said is the second one thats all he said
- also mass air flow sensor bad. need new one

they said it would cost me $1500 to repair thats including parts and labor. Right now i dont have the money. Also no warranty on the car. but i was reading about the federal emissions warranty and was wondering if that warranty covers all cars? I think i read it probably will only cover the catalytic converter though... Next thing i need help finding the fuel injector and the mass air flow sensor cheap but good. Anyone with any advice will be a great help..

Mazurfer

1.) CAT should be free as you've already found out. Good job!

2.) I suspect that the injector may not be bad at all and maybe just the coil(s). At 45k if never changed, then it may be time.

3.) MAF could be bad or just need to be cleaned. You can clean this yourself, just get a can of cleaner at any auto parts store and spray it down.

Think I would go get a second opnion....for sure. Who told you all this...stearlership....local shop?

Anyway, I will link in a site or two for the MAF(if really needed) and the coils. Give me a couple of minutes.



While I do that..............see if they can answer as to exactly why they feel the above items are all bad. Seriously..............how do they know?


Okay....keep in mind that I am doubting what they told you, and this is just one of many places you could get the items, check around on this site once you figure out if they are pulling your chain or not. See these links.

Remember, the CAT should be free!!!!!

MAF: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...cat=338&page=1

Coil(s): http://www.finishlineperformance.com...cat=338&page=2

Plugs: If changing the coils, I would do the plugs as well. Can get cheaper than what I linked here http://www.finishlineperformance.com...cat=273&page=2
Could probably get them for around $80.00

Don't take offense here, but are you a chick by chance?
Even if.............you could do the MAF, plugs, and coil(s) by yourself if that's all you really need. Either that or someone close to you might be willing to do it for beer(that seems to be our currency). We just don't know yet what all you need.

We can get you a fuel injector, but not before it's confirmed you really need it!

nice2know

i took it to a local shop and they looked up the codes and did some test because it had CEL on. They also said that the MAF was reading too high than normal. They just told me the fuel injector was bad because of the MAF. Right now car only starts sometimes but dies as soon i let go of the gas. So i might get that second opinion about the fuel injector. Or should i just change the plugs, coils and clean the MAF and get the new CAT? Thats way cheaper than 1500 mula..... and naw im not a chick.....chick magnet maybe.Chief!!

FastFreddy61

I just checked the link for the MAF, mine doesnt weigh close to 2lbs.

Mazurfer

never noticed that! Yeah, I think they over exaggerated that a little bit!

Mazurfer

I am not an expert, but this is what I would do at this stage.

1.) Don't drive it too much under the current conditions, but go get the code read at Autozone(for free) or somewhere else. Write them all down and come back on here to let us know!

2.) Get some contact or MAF cleaner while there, look up on here on how to clean the MAF.....it's really easy.

3.) At your mileage I would change the plugs and coils. You can go the OEM route as I stated, or you could go with the BHR lit for about $500.00 (don't quote me on that). Here's the link! http://blackhaloracing.com/products-...tion-system24/ and be dome with it. Notice you can even order the plugs as well. If you go this route, there is llittle chance you would have to worry about coils again!

4.) I would also run some injector cleaner or something through it. Again while you are getting the codes read.
Use something you add to the gas tank and made to clean injectors.

Then.............once I had it running even halfway decent at the same time limiting how much you drive it, I would see if you get the CEL(check engine light) for the CAT or not. Alternative here is to either..........go to the dealership and have them check the CAT and replace(for free), drop the CAT yourself and look inside to see if internals are all busted up(then go get a free one at dealer), or take the CAT off if bad and run a mid-pipe(go CATLESS).....but if you live where there is emissions testing, you won't pass that way.



Others will chime in, but that is what I would do!

Step one, go get the codes read and report back here....write them ALL down!

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

This statement is a powerful tool.
It is the most important tool you have with the dealership.
Questions.
This is why dealerships walk all over people. Besides people being sheeple.

Anyway ask the questions as to why, and ask more questions why. Do not just take on the assumption that their diagnosis is correct.
Always question why.


Fuel injector going bad due to a bad MAF sensor. Explain to me how that happened. I'm an inquiring mind. I want to know.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

Mazurfer, your so forceful. Aten hut!

nice2know

Okay i will try to that. The only problem would be getting to autozone. Like i said sometimes it doesn't turn on at all and when it does its not driveable. It trembles alot when its on and no power. I'll try to find someone to come and read the codes for me.

Mazurfer

Yep, do that then. It's best to try and get the codes.
Sorry, I must have had a couple of threads mixed up........missed that it wouldn't run.

Mazurfer

Well....I guess I wasn't too far off, or you'd be letting me know. Once again, I ain't really a car guy, but I get pretty sick of people getting POTENTIALLY ripped off.
I count on the more experienced people to straighten me out when I'm wrong!

Didn't go to work today as woke up with a migraine, still had to do three online conference calls and had the RX8club up in the background. Might as well do something useful while listening, reviewing data, analyzing that data, and listening to ramblings of corporate wannabees. Oh.......and making decisions!
I call it "Sergeant of the Sandbox" activities.

Good news is.........was home when some car stuff arrived that had to be signed for!

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

Your doing good buddy. Sorry about the migraine.

Mazurfer

Look what I just found................Might wanna check it out Nice2know.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-sale-wanted-44/nib-coils-plugs-more-205221/

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

If you can't get to an autoparts store you should check with the regional threads and see if anyone in your area has a code reader and can meet you. Another option is I went to an O'reilly lately and instead of them coming out to the car I had to "rent" their code reader for free...which would allow you to take it home and read it yourself.

VashGS

Oil from overfill inside the intake? Can this dude wrench lol? Take the intake off, clean it up and the injectorz. Be careful with the fuel lines make sure they are super clean and you go easy and straight reconnecting. If cleaning MAF don't work buy a salvage part.

nice2know

Alright i got the codes. And yeah i borrowed the code reader from autozone

- PO302 Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
- PO171 System too lean (Bank 1)

Also got this...

Catalyst temp. (bank 1) (sensor 1) - 481 degrees farenheit
Air Flow Rate - 12.24 GR/SEC

Bluerenesis

Sounds similiar to my story. Two of my coils were dead, another was highly corroded and the fourth was ok. Got those fixed with new wires and plugs and my car is as good as new. As far as the airflow sensor, I was able to find one for $75 bucks because when taking my REVi intake a part, I dropped the MAF tube that had the MAF plugged into it and snapped the clip that hoks to the harness. I can always sell you mine for $20 bucks if you like electrical tape
anyways, you can find some of these parts cheaper elsewhere since the dealership will probably mark them up. Also get a second opinion.

nice2know

ALright i changed the plugs and coils and also clean the MAF. Started up first try. I 've been driving for two days now and everything seems normal so far. The only thing is the idle is a bit stronger than before..but not that big of a deal. No CEL for the cat yet. Hopefully it keeps working. And thanks Mazurfer for the advice and everybody else.