car troubles

[Crysalis]

I'm with molsen on this one... It sounds to me like a cylinder isn't firing.

If he is idling lower than usual, not as much acceleration and can't get higher than 60mph easily, then he's lost something. If it was fuel filter/pump, he probably wouldn't even get that far. The Tiburon most likely does NOT have a distributor... most cars don't have them now. Unless your just talking about that "box" that the wires plug in to. My camaro doesn't even have a distributor (1994).

I would check spark plugs (clogged plug/wires), O2 sensors (unlikely, but definitely a possiblity) and also EGR valve.

If you have an AutoZone around you, they will scan the codes for free, assuming your a nice person (haha).

 

[Trotter]

If a 4-cylinder is only firing on three, you'd have to be numd and deaf to not know it.

The catalytic converter is the most obvious culprit, but he said he'd already changed it out.

A busted exhaust manifold could do the same, but everyone in your neighborhood would know it was busted.

A bad sensor somewhere in the intake could be the bad guy as well. There are several different sensors, unfortunately, so swapping them out one by one would be expensive and difficult. Again, a diagostic should tell you which.

When the O2 intake sensor went out on my Escort, it run like garbage. But not all the time. Seems that the "brain" would switch back over to default settings every so often, and it would run fine. but then it went back to sensor input, and it went to pot again.

 

[C0RR0SIVE]

Sounds kinda like my 97 Intrepid.... Except it still gets to 105 easy... After that it won't move much more lol.... Everynow and then at a stoplight the engines firing will be way off.... It will be bad enough it can shake the car from side to side....

 

[benzimm86]

during my lunch break today i took the spark plugs out. one of them was really really dark and the spark plug wire that attached to this plug had what looked to be cracks and white around the cracks i am going to start there and hopefully that will fix my problem

 

[gurusan]

during my lunch break today i took the spark plugs out. one of them was really really dark and the spark plug wire that attached to this plug had what looked to be cracks and white around the cracks i am going to start there and hopefully that will fix my problem

Yeah that sounds like it might be the problem. Might as well do a full tune up.

Get some new plugs (I recommend NGK V-Power, best for the money), plug wires, and replace your dizzy cap and rotor.

Also check your timing.

But you really need to get that code pulled...a 2001 tiburon? That's OBD2b ....you can get OBD-2 codes pulled for free at most auto shops.

Also...you need to get that timing belt changed. Hyundai motors are interference motors...so if the belt snaps you can severely damage the head and possibly the bottom end.

And while changing your timing belt a new water pump is usually put in...it's a good idea since you have to take the timing belt off to get to it anyway.

 

[benzimm86]

wow now you are starting to fix stuff that isnt even broken yet. haha jk im gunna take this one step at a time since my brother and i are going to be doing the work.

 

[molsen]

booya!!!

when your spark plugs are dark, it usually means they've been too cold, A.K.A. running rich. this would happen due to the cracks in the wires not providing a spark that adequately burns off the fuel that is injected into the combustion chamber. this just means that cylinder was making very little, if any, power.

if you do not fix this soon, it will eventually take your O2 sensors out too.

did the plugs have a dark OILY substance on them? if so, your valve cover gasket is likely leaking oil into the plug wells and that will cause problems in the future.

i wouldnt recommend changing the timing belt unless someone inspects it and says it needs to be. otherwise, you're going through alot of work and time for nothing. also, take of the distributor cap and check for corrosion/discoloration/breaking/cracks on the metal terminals/plates inside. if you don't see this, don't bother replacing it.

-EDIT- after you've replaced what you're going to replace, disconnect the battery for a few minute to reset the computer in the car. reconnect and then start her up. check to make sure the CEL doesn't come back on.

 

[Crysalis]

HAHAHA... this is sounding more like "Buy a new car".

I was almost positive it was a spark issue... change all the wires and plugs and let us know. And of course, disconnect battery as molsen said.

 

[benzimm86]

alright after work i went and got 4 new plugs and a set of wires. The car is running great but the cel was still on so now i am going to go try the battery thing and hopefully i goes off thanks for all your help everyone

 

[Crysalis]

NP.... just disconnect the battery for like 10-15 minutes... should clear everything up (unfortunately, all radio presets as well...)