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Where to start?

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Offline steveofrost

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Where to start?
« on: October 28, 2004, 12:29:39 AM »
So I got back from work (out of town for a few days) and my wife was complaining of problems with the kick... Everything seems to be running o.k., but the car is sluggish and a gas hog. It has never been this way, in all the time I've owned it. I still haven't fixed the exhaust as I have no time until this weekend, but I didn't think it was such a big deal. Is this the cause of my woe? I'm irritated that my kick is wounded, but I wanted to make sure that it was just the exhaust causing the problems. So:

01. If that's not the prob, where do I go from there?
02. Have I missed something that needs replacement after so many miles? Explo was saying something in another post about replacing your pcv valve every 15,000. Does this apply to me?

steveo
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Offline Drone637

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2004, 03:48:11 AM »
How many miles are on the Suzuki?  Does it just seem to have a general lack of power?

If the cat has gone bad and plugged up, it could cause some serious issues.  Sometimes the O2 sensor can cause problems as well, and it's usually a cheap thing to try.
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Offline jerryp58

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2004, 03:59:40 AM »
I think you can check the PCV (like you can the EGR).  Basically, if it's not gummed up to where the ball can't move freely, it's bad.  I'm not sure about the frequency, but it does need to be changed periodically (and it's relatively cheap).

How about the generic tune-up parts (cap, rotor, plugs, wires, fuel filter)?
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Offline Baloo

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2004, 05:54:17 AM »
 ;D Try the easycheap things first. Check the dist. cap rotor, plug wires look at the plugs, check the timing and for vaccuum leaks. Then if all looks well do a complete tune up with fuel and air filters. Then spend $$ on O2 sensors, you can check to see if they work with an ohm meter and service manual. Good luck and tell us what you are finding gas prices are killer even for the Kicks.
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spinaltap

Re: Where to start?
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2004, 06:34:10 AM »
Have you put larger tires on it recently?
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Offline steveofrost

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2004, 12:38:04 PM »
Thanks guys for all the quick replies. I got back from work at 6 and am iching to take a peek at whats going on.

1. 140,000 are on the kick
2. It's definately not 'peppy' like it was three weeks ago. (Mind you the temp. has dropped here, but I warm up the engine plenty and don't drive 'er hard)
3. My first thought was a clogged cat... but there is no way to tell for sure until I can cut it off with a torch and then weld a new piece of pipe in if its the cause.
4. I will check the 02 sensor

5. I will check the PCV valve
6. My plugs and wires are fine, I will have to replace the cap/rotor soon and  :o oh yeah, my fuel filter has always been taking in water... I think I'll have to replace that again immediately.

7. I'll check my timing as well, can't hurt to check it all actually.

8. Thats a negative on the large tires. I'm actually putting on some 205/60 r15s in two days, as we are getting snow again soon.

steveo
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Offline mrfuelish

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2004, 01:21:42 PM »
I would start with reading the codes from the ecm.
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spinaltap

Re: Where to start?
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2004, 03:00:39 PM »
Quote
8. Thats a negative on the large tires. I'm actually putting on some 205/60 r15s in two days, as we are getting snow again soon.


I ran the BFG ATs (235/75/15) In that crap we got a couple weeks back with no problems at all...didn't realise how slippery it was until I got out to help a guy in a Ranger 4X4 get out of the meridian on hwy 2 just south of Leduc, could barely walk across the hwy!...any way they gripped really well and were very easy to do controlled drifts ;D

But  to my point....I only suggested the tires because it felt like I lost 20 HP when I put the 235s on.  Hopefully I'll get some passing power back when I get the rebuilt in :)
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Offline steveofrost

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2004, 03:20:02 PM »
Quote
I would start with reading the codes from the ecm.


How might I go about that?

steveo
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Offline 92Sidekick4x4

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2004, 04:53:09 PM »
well about 3 montsh ago i had thses same problems, shitty gas milage, and not much speed, and all the sudden the car just died, turned out my comp was gone, i got a new oen the car was back to normal, and had excelent gas milage
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Offline Speedracer7c

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2004, 05:18:23 PM »
Quote


How might I go about that?

steveo


You wont get any codes from the ecm unless the check engine light is on. But getting the codes depends on the year of the vehicle.
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Offline Digger

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #11 on: October 29, 2004, 07:16:17 AM »
I had a similar loss of power that turned out to be bad brake calipers that were not releasing the whole way. I changed them out to a pair of remanufactured ones and all my power came back and mileage was better than when I got it...
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Offline steveofrost

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #12 on: October 30, 2004, 10:47:01 PM »
PCV valve replaced and the Zuke is in top shape again. Thanks guys! I'm still doing a winter tune up though. Just to be safe! I figured out why the valve was messed. When I was out of town, my father in law put some oil in my kick because I told him it was leaking really bad. He put a little too much in (only because he thought it wouldn't hold I suspect). It did hold for a while and now its back to normal. So running too much oil must have been the reason.

steveo
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Offline MUTANT_ZUK

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #13 on: October 30, 2004, 11:34:00 PM »
  Hey Steveo something to consider if youre getting water in your filter when it gets really cold it will freeze up and act like a plug shutting down youre fuel flow.Had that problem before 15deg below o +4:oo am+15min late for work already=#!%&^#"?!. I started keeping and using fuel treatment and switched gas stations,no more problems.  later  M.Z. ;D
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Offline jerryp58

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Re: Where to start?
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2004, 06:40:06 AM »
Quote
PCV valve replaced and the Zuke is in top shape again.

steveo


8)  -- it's nice when it's an easy fix.

I just replaced mine today.  It was pretty gummed up.  I have no idea when it was last replaced, but I think I'll go write down today's change in the manual.  My MPG has dropped a little lately, hopefully that was the cause.

I changed my fuel filter today too, what a PITB.  I had gas all over me.
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