"new" car, new problems.

[hectical]

well, not a new car. an 1990 mx-6. with an automatic trans. thanks to the awesome people here at mx-6.com i have been able to fix a couple of things already without a problem.

but now, i turn on my engine, it stays for a couple of minutes (if that) and then it goes off. i am guessing that it's some sort of oxygen problem. also, i should say the water reservoir leaks all the time. i think that there might also be a clog somewhere. the next thing i will do is change the hoses since they look pretty beat up. I already change the spark plugs, oil and the air and oil filters. and one last thing, when i lowered my car after the oil change there was some sort of fluid right under the driver side front tire. maybe trans fluid?

wow, now that i read back this car has some work to be done to it don't it?

so yeah, any suggestions or ideas whatsoever will be taken seriously and gratefully. thanks in advance guys.

Jaime Arevalo

[compnut21]

so your saying it stalls out? my only thought i have is my old ecu died, and would only let the car run for ~3 seconds.

[hectical]

yeah, well as of today the car will start and it will remain a bit over 1000 rpm. if i touch the gas though, it will begin to lower the rpm and eventually stall. also, i noticed a smell coming from the engine area so i took the manifold cover off and decided that it might need a new exhaust manifold gasket. in which case, do i need some sort of support to hold the many fold up while i replace the gasket? i really have no idea and i don't want to do it without knowing what the proper way of doing it is. help please.

: P

[compnut21]

well no one answered and you karma'd so ill give my best shot. id say unmetered air. when you hit the throttle, more air goes in, but not enough fuel so it dies of over leanness. SO IN THAT CASE, check for vacuum leaks/cracked tb boot and or boost leaks (or the hose on the non turbo), and check the pcv valve while your at it. open up your air box and try to move around the flap. if it doesn't move freely or go all the way open/closed, that your issue. use a multimeter to make sure its giving the correct signal (thats a searchable item on this board). uhhh..... really bored? check the tps. i dont know how much the stock ecu uses it, and i cant think of much else.

[mx_masta]

EGR valve would seem like a possibility. The computer keeps it shut for the first few minutes after starting to let the cylinders warm up.

If it's dirty and leaking it will cause poor idle or stalling after warm up.

Have you check for any trouble codes? I don't know if the LX got a check engine light.
If you have one then follow the procedure in the FAQ section.

If you don't have one you need to make an LED test lamp to connect to the diagnostic check connector.
All you need is a cheap clear plastic test lamp, an LED and a resistor.
Then probe the check connector while you have the service terminal grounded.
I can never remember which 2 terminals to probe, but there is only 3 terminals on mine so it doesn't take long to get it.

If nothing happens try turning off the ingintion and back on again.

If you get a constant light you know you have it right and that there are no codes.
If it it flashing write down the flash sequences to get the codes.

_ = 10

- = 1

EG _ _ _ - - - = 33

And there is about a 2 second gap between sequences.