Few Questions about my beater?

[TURBOTOM]

My beater/DD car is a 91 Mazda 626, its a great car to drive to school and work, I have a few questions about problems with the car, I was hoping you guys could help me with. I dont know of any good mazda forums, and I doubt that they would have any info on this car anyway.

Problem 1: I think that the CV joints are going bad, or are possiabley bad already! When I make a sharp right/left turn at low speeds, I hear a lound clicking/clunking noise coming from the front axles, the CV boots are good, but I think that the actual joints may have gone bad. How serious of a problem is this? Is it something I can wiat till spring and dix, or is it serious and the car is going to stop working soon? I think the parts are less than 100$, and I am sure the labor is alot, so I would much rather wait till the spring and do this, but if one of the axles is going to fall off, I would rather pay and have it fixed now. Sorry, I have never owned an older car, so I dont know much about problems like this?

"Problem" 2: The car has a 2.2 liter 4 banger. I have been getting around 20-21 mpg with a mix of city/highway driving. I know that is good compared to the G, but because this thing has a small 110hp motor, I was hoping for better milage like that. What could be causing the low mpg? The air filter is brand new, I cleaned the MAF like a month ago, the tires have the right amount of air, and everything else seems to be fine . Also what could I do to improve the MPG, mabe a intake, I know people with G's claim better milage with an intake. Also I drive like a granny in this thing, I rarely go above 2k rpm's unless I'm merging on a freeway.

Sorry for all of the questions, but I would love if you could help me out!
-Tom

[jawjaw]

I'm no expert but will take a shot:

problem 1: You can probably ride it out for a while. It sounds like you have a tear in your cv boots and dirt got in there. It shouldn't be too expensive to fix.

problem 2: Try replacing the spark plugs and wires. You could also try replacing the O2 sensor. You could also check the fuel filter but not sure if that will make much difference.

[TURBOTOM]

Originally Posted by jawjaw

I'm no expert but will take a shot:

problem 1: You can probably ride it out for a while. It sounds like you have a tear in your cv boots and dirt got in there. It shouldn't be too expensive to fix.

problem 2: Try replacing the spark plugs and wires. You could also try replacing the O2 sensor. You could also check the fuel filter but not sure if that will make much difference.

Thanks,
As far as the CV boots ripping your are prob right about that. It was an older couple that owned the car, and they kept ALL of the records. The CV boots were replaced like 2-3 times, so mabe there is a problem with the way they are installed. Also the plugs and wires were replaced too.

[TURBOTOM]

BUMP for some more help!

[turboale]

Sea foam it! If nothing else, it should run smoother... it made a descent difference on my 4Runner...

[TURBOTOM]

Originally Posted by turboale

Sea foam it! If nothing else, it should run smoother... it made a descent difference on my 4Runner...

My friend did that to his jetta, mabe I will try it!

[rkesh88]

you should stop beating off tom so much. you might just break something haha.