All such good advice! Again, it's all going straight to her. Poor girl can't get on the internet at work (the woes of working at a bank!) and when she gets home at night, I guess that's the last thing she has time for. I, on the other hand, wouldn't know what to do without my internet surfing at work. Please don't tell my boss! LOL!

I just really can't thank everyone enough. This has been quite a surprise for me to get all the suggestions and opinions. For some reason, I never thought I'd get anywhere with the question because it seems so vague and undiagnoseable (if that's even a real word).

 

No internet at work? Bleh! That's all I do at work

I mean, I'm at work right now as I type this, haha.

 

If I couldn't go on the internet at work.. my post count on every forum I'm on would be drastically less, I would sleep a lot more than I already do at work, and I'd get 0 work done because you can't do IT without the internet :P

 

Well, whadda ya know??? The "dad of the year" called her last night (I really need to let go of some of my bitterness, huh?) and asked if she had bought the cat yet. She said no, and he said good. He was talking to some guys at work at they don't think that's the problem. OH, REALLY? LOL!

I think I'll tell her to start saving for the basic PM work. This car really needs to last her for a little while longer.

 

Er, maybe he's not the best guy to go to for car advice.

How many miles on the car right now?

 

I will ask but I'm figuring somewhere in the 70-80,000 range. It was one owner before we bought it in Nov. of 2004. She was 18 at the time and has probably driven it pretty hard, but has managed to keep up with regular oil changes and things like that.

 

That's pretty decent for a 7 year old car, haha. Treat is well, and it should last quite a bit more.
If she does bring it in, may be a good idea to clean the EGR valve. It's known to get clogged up and cause some rough idle on our cars. Should also give some bonus MPG when it's clean.

 

Ok I'm gonna jump in here and ask a reall stupid question......where is the EGR valve located at? I really would like to clean mine, mine sometimes idles wierd and I would love the better MPG. Wouldn't we all? lol

Chris

 

It's... on the underside of the intake manifold

Sorta near the throttle body.. so pull off the intake and reach under there (with gloves) and feel around.

 

ohhhh mechanical exploratory surgery yay

 

Check out this how-to, should get you pointed in the right direction:

https://www.mazda3club.com/how-tos-96/3g-protege-egr-valve-removal-cleaning-procedure-44475/

 

Thanks ya'll! If mine is dirty, what do you suggest to clean it with? Or should I just replace the thing?

Chris

 

Replacement is pricey. Mine rusted out and stopped the car from running propperly a while back. Emergency replacement (didn't have time to shop around) was $250.

Cleaning it costs next to nothing. You can try carb cleaner, that should work. Or brake cleaner I believe.