[dirtyfame]

Hey guys. I'm new here. I have a few questions about my 2003 Mazda 6.

Okay so it started shaking really bad one day, so I knew it needed a tune up. So I gave it one. The shaking stopped. Then it started again a couple days later but not as bad. The computer told me cylinders 4 and 6 were mis-firing again. So, I changed the valve cover gaskets and put new plugs and coils into 4 and 6 for a second time. It's not really shaking but more of a thump and I know they're still mis-firing. Now do you think it could be because I have a short in the coil packs on them?

Also, I have a leak in a vacuum hose which causes the rpm to shoot up and down when I turn the car on. I covered the leak (just until I get a new hose this weekend) and it stopped shooting, but sometimes it does.

When I get to about 35-45 mph my car shakes hard, like it's not shifting right. Is this due to the hose leak? Or do I need my trans/coolant flushed?

And how can I tell if I have water in my gas tank? Because I seem to run out of gas when it's near a quarter of a tank.

My head gasket has a small crack in it, could this be causing a lot of the problems? And is it easy to fix myself?

I've honestly tried everything to fix that shaking (well more of a thumping now) when it's at a stop light and the shaking when it gets to 35-45 mph.

Sometimes white smoke comes out of my exhaust. Like a whole mess load. Enough for me to feel sorry for the driver who is behind me. This has only happened a few times. Could it be because of water in the gas tank or water in the exhaust? Or coolant burning because of my head gasket?

(MOST OF THESE PROBLEMS HAPPEN WHEN IT'S WARMER OUT. WHEN IT'S COLD OUT IT DOESN'T ACT UP AT ALL OR LESS THAN USUAL)

What do you think I can do? A lot of this I can do alone or I have a friend to help. I'm just trying to save money by not bringing it to a mechanic for him to tell me things that are wrong with it that really aren't.

I've been on this issue for awhile now. So please, anybody, can you give me some detailed answers/feedback? I would GREATLY appreciate it!

PS

Most of these problems started after someone had hit my front end pretty severely. It happened over night, so I was never able to catch the person.

Sorry for such a long post, but thank you ever so much to anyone who can answer my questions. Your time is MUCH appreciated.

 

[cmorty72]

Wow... sounds like you've got your share of problems going on.

The shaking and shimmering could be from a tranny or engine mount. Check the mounts (underneath by the sub frame, and under your battery tray).

As for your smoke screen.... you mentioned that you have a small crack in your head gasket.. that could cause that.
Is there coolant in your oil? Nonetheless I highly recommend that you get that fixed before more damage can occur (worst case scenario a warped head).

Also, how bad was the damage that you sustained when your 6 got hit (what was damaged)?

Hope this helps you some.

 

[dirtyfame]

Well my front end on the drivers side was smashed not horribly but pretty bad, so my head light works, but my turn signal doesn't in the front. My grill was cut in half and the hood didn't sit right. The license plate had got cut off in the top right corner.

Do you think if I get my trans fluid changed it would help? And how can I tell if there's coolant in my oil? I've never been good at that.

 

[dirtyfame]

Also, I know i don't need a new engine. Why can't I find a mechanic that will fix just the head gasket instead of trying to convince me to get a new engine. They must think Im stupid.