Hi Guys,

I have lurked quite a bit around here and have done some work to my '01 Accent Hatchback 1.5L with 114K miles.

I am currently experiencing the jerking/loss of power under acceleration or up a hill. I have done he following to it... it still continues to perform poorly. This is my commuter car and due to the significant lag from pressing the throttle to where the engine starts reving I feel like I am in a death trap that is going to get me killed someday.

Changed with new parts:
Coil Pack
Wires
Plugs
Front 02 Sensor
Fuel Filter

Repaired:
Leaky Head Gasket

Nothing has made much of a change. Codes show misfire and that fuel is being dumped into the engine.

From what I am reading, it sounds like it may be time to put in a new cat/manifold assembly. The CAT does make a rattles when under acceleration/load. So basically, I think my next step is change the CAT or change all the injectors.

Anyone else have this issue and changed out their CAT/Manifold? If so, did it fix your problem?

Also, I know OEM is the best way to go... but they cost so much more than an aftermarket one. This car is only used as my commuter. I bought this thing for $2K in Oct 2010. I like to say it's my $3K car because of how much money I have sunk into it (also had to replace a clutch slave cylinder). It is a manual trans... which seems to be in pretty good shape. I don't want to continue to sink money into this thing if it's going to keep costing money.

 

Here is an update.

Changed out the Manifold and Converter... problem still persisted... but ran a little better.

Checked Spark Plugs.. they were fouled (changed just 2 months ago). Figured they were fouled due to bad 02 sensor (front) dumping gas into the engine. Replaced with NGK plugs.

Ran a little better still. But no power on low end.

Cleaned throttle body really good. - No change

Cleaned MAF with MAF cleaner. Continued to have same problem.

Discovered that the car seems to run fine when warm but terrible when cold.

Cursed a little longer. Let car sit for about 24 hours. Jumped in the car to go get a Coolant Temperature Sensor... thinking that may be the problem. Car ran fine. Check engine light did not turn back on. Did a happy dance.

Drove the car to work today - Car ran fine, actually better than it has in a very, very long time. Very happy with it.... about 15 miles into my commute, the Check Engine Light came back on... but no symptoms.

Going to take it in to get the codes read today after work. Curious what it could be this time.

So recap on what I have done so far:

Replaced:
Coil
Wires
Plugs
Exhaust Manifold
Catalytic Converter
Front 02 Sensor
Fuel Filter
Head Gasket (was leaking oil)

Cleaned:
Throttle Body
MAF Sensor
PCV Valve (tested fine)

This car does mysteriously burn oil. No smoke from tail pipe (that I am aware of) and no oil leaks. Thinking maybe there is a leak on the seals? Perhaps some Lucas Oil Engine Stop Leak would help... but not sure about using it. Also have no idea if leaky seals could possibly cause a check engine light or mysterious consumption of oil.

About to go ahead and send my Fuel injectors to a shop to be inspected an cleaned at $18 a pop (lot less than buying new ones).

One would think after all of this the engine would be running like new (which it sort of does except for that stupid CEL coming back on)

 

Wait until you get your codes read by a compentent mechanic and post them on your thread.

At the moment you are guessing and wasting money, with the codes you may get a idea.

Will be waiting for result