General Miata Chat A place to talk about anything Miata

running bad

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-27-2019, 04:16 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
joe morreale's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Sebring, FL
Posts: 337
Total Cats: 20
Default running bad

In the past week I drove to Naples and Deltona. When I got to Naples (2 1/2 hour drive) the car stalled at a light. It was real hard to start. When it started it didn't want to run without flooring it. Anything under 4k rpm it spiked real lean, 16-18 afr. Hardly ran. Let the clutch out with it bucking wildly until I hit 4k rpms. Above 4k all the way to redline it ran ok and afrs we're good. I thought it was a cam sensor, since I had one I put it in, after an hour of cooling. Car ran fine 2 1/2 hour ride home.

A few days later, I went to Deltona. Cooler top down morning. Ran well. On the way home, after about two hours I got caught in a bunch of lights on local highway. When it died at lights I did nothing, but **** people behind me off, and the car would start and drive normally, but only for a while. Back to not starting or running in lower rpms. I kept feathering the throttle and made it home. When at one of the lights I could hear my fuel pump making knocking sounds.

I'm thinking the 18 year old fuel pump might be failing. I thought a failing pump would run out of fuel at higher loads though. I drove it today for about 15 minutes and it ran fine. Afrs were stable. No loss of power. I'm thinking it has to do with the longer drive. Any suggestions out there? Filter has maybe 15k on it. Plugs 3k. Wires maybe 12k. Didn't have the laptop with me to get a log when it was happening.
joe morreale is offline  
Old 05-29-2019, 04:26 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
andyfloyd's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Louisville,KY
Posts: 1,132
Total Cats: 97
Default

If you have spark, then it's gotta be fuel. When I've had fuel pumps fail on me in the past sometimes they will do fine and once they warm up they start acting up. Replace the pump it's easy along with the filter.
andyfloyd is offline  
Old 05-29-2019, 09:44 PM
  #3  
mkturbo.com
iTrader: (24)
 
shuiend's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 15,193
Total Cats: 1,685
Default

Replace fuel pump and fuel filter. See if those help any.
shuiend is offline  
Old 05-30-2019, 11:35 AM
  #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
joe morreale's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Sebring, FL
Posts: 337
Total Cats: 20
Default

Ordering a dw200 tomorrow. When I remove pump will the gasket normally be shot? No dealership near me, so I'd have to order it, if it commonly breaks apart. Pump's never been out since new, 2001. Should I get a new relay as well?
joe morreale is offline  
Old 05-30-2019, 12:19 PM
  #5  
Retired Mech Design Engr
iTrader: (3)
 
DNMakinson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Seneca, SC
Posts: 5,012
Total Cats: 859
Default

Gasket: It is a large, flat, rubber gasket. Mine has been no problem: 1999. Don't worry about that.

Relay: I'm running original relay as well. Interested to see what others say on that subject.
DNMakinson is offline  
Old 05-30-2019, 01:15 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
poormxdad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,287
Total Cats: 119
Default

Originally Posted by DNMakinson
Gasket: It is a large, flat, rubber gasket. Mine has been no problem: 1999. Don't worry about that.

Relay: I'm running original relay as well.
Agree with both of these.

One thing. I don't know for sure, but the DW200 probably uses a different connector than stock. A stock replacement pump may be all you need, and will be easier to install.
poormxdad is offline  
Old 05-31-2019, 07:16 AM
  #7  
mkturbo.com
iTrader: (24)
 
shuiend's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 15,193
Total Cats: 1,685
Default

Also I would really try to get some datalogs of it happening. Without those it is sort of buying parts and hoping they fix it.
shuiend is offline  
Old 05-31-2019, 10:19 AM
  #8  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
joe morreale's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Sebring, FL
Posts: 337
Total Cats: 20
Default

Next long trip I go on I'm bringing the laptop. I thought the cam sensor fixed it the first time but now I know different. Ordered new fuel pump, relay, gasket and filter. I figured an old car with turbo demands it's an inevitable thing.
joe morreale is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
adryargument
Engine Performance
6
02-15-2022 06:23 AM
andyfloyd
Engine Performance
24
05-09-2019 02:17 PM
Chiburbian
General Miata Chat
5
06-25-2018 02:44 AM
Alleycat Joe
Engine Performance
1
02-24-2015 01:02 PM
rigidbigelsworth
General Miata Chat
8
07-06-2012 03:11 PM



Quick Reply: running bad



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:43 AM.