Driveability issue

[JohnGunn]

Thank you all for your advice, especially what John Gunn wrote as it seems as though he had similiar issues. So this weekend I'll screw in some new NGK's, the ones that are in it still look new as this is a healthy engine, except for its current issue. Maybe a plug is cracked, not sure. Did replace the fuel pressure regulator as I thought maybe the diaphram or spring in it was getting weak. I put a known used one on from my spares, but had no effect. Maybe Im wrong but this sure seems like a fuel distribution issue and not a ignition one, stay tuned!

Now you're putting me on the spot. What will I do if those new plugs don't have any effect?

Well, the first thing that comes to mind is to say, "OK. Good. Now what's the next most likely suspect?"

My major concerns are to help you get your Festiva back on the road, while, at the same time, I sharpen my understanding of these wonderful cars. And if, in the process, I, on occasion, happen to appear the fool, so be it.

Your problem has a solution. The process by which we find it can either be efficient or wasteful, depending on how smart and observant we are. But I have no doubt the more smart and observant people we have working together on it, the better.

John Gunn
Coronado, CA

[JohnGunn]

Anywho, hope one of us can help Hawg here, since THAT is what this forum is all about, helping each other keep our little overgrown roller skates on the road!

Paul

Well said, Paul.

Strangely, I find it a good thing that we can manage to work together even though we may disagree on some things. If we all thought the same, all but one of us would be unnecessary. I don't know about you, but that is the last thing I want to become.

I see no reason why several courses of action can't be suggested, with the owner left free to decide what he will do, since, as owner of the car, he has more to loose or gain than all the rest of us put together. Our job then becomes to listen to the facts, consider what they may mean and then decide what we would do if faced with this problem on our own cars.

Sounds so simple. But there is one ever present danger that threatens any such elegantly simple plan, competition. As soon as anyone of us stops thinking about the primary purpose of what we are doing, keeping our overgrown roller skates on the road, and starts wanting to be recognized as a valuable individual, the whole house of cards begins to shutter. If, on the other hand, when a problem is solved we are all equally pleased and satisfied at that success, without giving the least thought to the relative value of our individual contributions, then all of us can prosper and flourish.

John Gunn
Coronado, CA

[hawg keeper]

Well Mr Gunn was right! Thank you for convincing me to try the cheap fix first! A new set of NGKs did the trick all for less than $10! This car surely acted up with the bad plugs, could'nt believe that was all that was wrong. Nearly got rear ended at a stop when it stumbled and died, now its back to its normal self, pulling like a train away from a light!

[wybnrml]

Good to hear you got 'er running right again.

[guzzirik]

Long shot, but you might check the sock filter on the fuel pump.......

[easywind]

I get confused when I hear someone say they have the best maintined car here and they've replaced the fuel filter 20k ago???
I hate to bring this up but the people on this site for the most part are broke. They look for cheap gas and probably run their tanks almost dry so when I hear about running issues I immediately think fuel filter.