2001 Hyundai Accent GS. My therapist's son's car. So many issues.

[ellenor2000]

I was initially told that it was a one-cylinder misfire...

Oh how wrong that was.

Where do I start?

• Lost overdrive (known problem with shifter box)
• Extreme gasoline fumes when running, possibly running rich, inconsistent misfire
• Possible blowby
• All spark plugs actually work...
• (Not relevant, but relevant) Due to flat tyre/spare on right drive tyre, right pull under braking but not engine braking, and light pedal braking exists at all
• Key barrel jammed (will only start 1 in around 10 times)

[Xist]

I do not know anything about diagnosing cars, but if that car has averaged 15,000 miles a year, Kelley Blue Book estimates it is worth $850 in good condition with 240,000 miles. If it only has 140,000 miles, the value surges to $1,150.

I am a therapist and I certainly could not afford to replace either of my teenage cars. I am facing an expensive repair on my Accord, but the car still runs fine.

I doubt I will rebuild the engine on my Civic or would do extensive repairs on my Accord if she became unreliable.

Go go gadget Google!

If it has averaged 24,140 km a year, it would have 386,243 km, and at least in the U.S. market, it would be worth $1,036 CanYouDigIts. $1,280 CAD with 225,308 km.

Also, I would recommend asking somewhere bigger like https://www.reddit.com/r/Cartalk/ and forums for the Hyundai, although we have an abundance of experts here, it just helps to investigate multiple sources.

[ellenor2000]

Originally Posted by Xist

I do not know anything about diagnosing cars, but if that car has averaged 15,000 miles a year, Kelley Blue Book estimates it is worth $850 in good condition with 240,000 miles. If it only has 140,000 miles, the value surges to $1,150.

I am a therapist and I certainly could not afford to replace either of my teenage cars. I am facing an expensive repair on my Accord, but the car still runs fine.

I doubt I will rebuild the engine on my Civic or would do extensive repairs on my Accord if she became unreliable.

Go go gadget Google!

If it has averaged 24,140 km a year, it would have 386,243 km, and at least in the U.S. market, it would be worth $1,036 CanYouDigIts. $1,280 CAD with 225,308 km.

Also, I would recommend asking somewhere bigger like https://www.reddit.com/r/Cartalk/ and forums for the Hyundai, although we have an abundance of experts here, it just helps to investigate multiple sources.

It's in the 224,000km range, so 140,000-odd miles. It's not in good condition tho. Dings everywhere...

[jcp123]

Might start with just a couple of basics. If the injector harness is accessible, pull the connectors from the injectors one at a time and see if you get any cylinders that drop more than others. Compression test would be stellar too. I wasn't clear as to whether you merely checked for spark, or inspected the plugs? If you didn't do the latter, pull the plugs, just because you're getting spark to the plugs doesn't mean they're good (trust me, I know). When you tested spark, did it jump a nice big air gap? Are you able to test fuel pressure? If so, prime the pump then watch to see if it bleeds down pressure, indicating a sticky injector which could cause the rich smell (of course, a misfire would do that too). That's my basics for the moment, enginewise.

For the pulling under braking, first thing that comes to mind is making sure the caliper slide pins are lubed and that the pad hardware is allowing the pad to make contact with the rotor nice and square. For some reason, even many techs don't take care of that stuff despite brakes being a rather crucial thing...