My car is driving me crazy

[Fordverde]

i know it is kind of a taboo subject but for me using MMO do wonders in my carby. Also, did you change the air filter?

[88FestivaLX]

As in Marvel Mystery Oil? In the gas? And yes, new air filter. Forgot to put that on the list.

[88FestivaLX]

Figured something else out. My alternator is junk. Think that could cause these problems?

[Fordverde]

Yeap, marvel oil, 16onz in a full tank. When I changed mine( put a B6 alternator) it did improved greatly the idle...

[88FestivaLX]

Should I go with a stock alternator or upgrade? If upgrade, what do I look for?

[Spike]

Almost any alternator from a Mazda will work (later Festivas, Proteges, MPV vans, Ford Probes ect). Although, I upgraded and had some issues. I say stick with stock; plug and play, no wiring hassles.

Replacing my alt seriously helped with idle. I was having something that seemed like a miss before replacing.

[SiliconSoul]

I've noticed even having a bad belt, or improper belt tension, can cause issues.

[johnmt]

I looked my car over the other day and the wire out of the O2 sensor was bent down some. I straightened ot out and checked connections. I also pulled the air cleaner and looked the carb over. Couldn't see a lot. Tried to make sure the wires were intact to the solenoid that is controlled by the ECU to control primary fuel mixture . Nothing obvious. Took it for a drive today and it ran fine. Intermittant problems are the worse. I'll probably drive it until it manifests again.

[88FestivaLX]

Well, if I can ever get enough money to put an alternator on it, I'll see if that helps!

[88FestivaLX]

Alternator is off and being rebuilt. Will be ready tomorrow. Looking forward to see how this thing runs!

[88FestivaLX]

Go the alt on last night. Car was dead this morning.....my new battery tested bad! Got that replaced and waiting to drive home to see how it runs!

[Fordverde]

Clean the terminals and the grounds to the chassis and the engine

[nitrofarm]

Sounds like you have a short to ground. Its can be fairly easy to find,I would start by pulling the radio fuse if the Battery drains again. A cheap amp meter in series with the battery cable is the quickest way to find it. My E350 kept doing this and I kept blaming my kids for leaving the inside map lights on! Turned out it was the Rheostat in the dash dimmer switch. drool

[88FestivaLX]

Well I had been driving it with a new battery and bad alternator. Would that have made my battery test bad?

[nitrofarm]

Did you get a printout of the test? Where any of the cells dry or really low on electrolyte?