Ok, first off I'm new here, so HI FROM UTAH.

but me question is, my wife's 01 elantra gls kinda died on us yesterday. We got on the freeway and on the on ramp it felt like the power was cut in half. So I pulled off the next exit to the gas station and shut her down. Popped the hood and it smelled weird, but didnt see any signs of leakages or anything. It didnt overheat. and no check engine light. So I started her back up and the engine shakes like its only running on 2 cylinders.

I pulled the plugs and they look like they are firing just fine. We bought this car new in 2001 and I've kept up on the maintance. its got 73,000 on it. just havent got to the timing belt yet.

so any ideers on what it could be? I'm gonna call the dealer tomorrow, but I never trust them so I'd like to know somewhat of an idea of what it is before I take it there.

Timing belt is almost 15k overdue, so deffinitely get it done! Maybe a leaky or broken head gasket. It's been known to happen to our cars.

I agree with you Bdiggy. Timing belt must be replaced around 60k miles.
Replace the timing belt ASAP!


cheers

Dear Jefe,

Yes, always start with the most obviously needed repair. Replace your timing belt now. You can pull the timing upper cover with just two 10 mm bolts. Please inspect. You need to turn the engine slowly by hand clockwise, and inspect for broken or missing teeth. It definitely sounds like your car jumped time, and maybe burned some valves. If your engine jumped more than 4 teeth out of time, you will have pistons kissing valves on the Beta engine.

After you replace your timing belt, if the engine is still running rough you will need to do a compression check on your cylinders to inspect for burned or bent valves...check the intake valves first as they are the most easily damaged.

If you have bent or burned valves....a cylinder head rebuild is about $600 - $700 with removal and installation and replacement of 4 intake valves. School of hard knocks.

Byron

thanks guys. I just started tearing into the timing belt. I dont see any obvious signs of it jumping teeth yet. But I gotta get the rest off so I can line up the timing marks. Do I have to move that motor mount to get to the timing belt?

just got the new timing belt on. I still got to put the rest of the car back together. but wasnt that. it didnt jump any teeth. which is good. that means my valves are okee dokee. but whats next? could it be the crankshaft positioning sensor?

That is a common sensor to fail, but from what I've heard, when it goes, it goes and the car shuts down. I haven't heard of loss of power from a bad CPS.

It could be a fuel filter.

Check for restricted Cat (Catalytic Converter). Remove the upper oxygen sensor temporarily. If the Cat is plugged, the performance will increase dramatically. Try not to do this test at midnight, it's kinda noisy.
Note: Cat's & Ecm's are generally covered by an 8/80 Emissions warranty.

I would say wires? Motor heat can kill the first 6" to 1 foot after the plug.
What was the outcome?

Thanks

I have a similar problem, happened yesterday. The car is starting very rough and won't rev past 3k RPM. CEL light on, took to Checkers and had them test, appears to be the crank shaft sensor. The car has just over 60k miles on it, and timing belt was replaced last month.

What are your thoughts?

By the way-- I was refered here by a guy over a Kia forms.

Vehicle is a 2004 Elantra GLS w/ 2.0 4cyl.

This post has been edited by badkid32: Oct 20 2008, 09:34 AM