2002 mazda protege chugs randomly while driving and idleing help!
4 Answers
I haven't heard any leaks and the engine light is not on.
Not sure what "Chugging" is. If it's what I think it is, it lacks power from a stop and seems to lag until it reaches a certain then runs fine? First inspect the air intake tubing between the MAF sensor and the Throttle body. Unmetered air can mess things up. I would remove the tubing, clean it all up and check for cracks or splits. Similar concern with my 2002 Protege - 5 speed ES
What I mean by Chugging is it acts like it is going to cut out and stop running and whole car bounces. It happens randomly doesn't seam to matter if I am at freeway speeds or sitting at a stop light.
Sounds more like a cracked spark plug, spark plug/coil boot or a failing coil. 4 cylinders contribute 100% of the power - 25% each but have dead one cylinder and you have a 56% power loss due to parasitic loss.