Mazda 121 Problems

Any time a fuel-injected car can’t get fuel from the tank to the engine, the number one suspect is the electric fuel pump. These are often located inside the fuel tank and have a finite lifespan. And when they stop, they just stop. That’s it; no warning and only a new pump will get you going again.

However, it’s also worth checking that you don’t have a blocked fuel filter or a kinked fuel line or something equally random that is stopping the fuel getting to the engine. Nine times out of ten, however, the fuel pump will be the culprit.

From your description is appears that it could be repaired, but without actually seeing it I couldn't say how much it might cost. There are websites you can use to get a quote on-line and I'd suggest you do that. Google "bumper repairs".

It sounds like a lovely old car, one I'm sure a Mazda enthusiast would be happy to have. You could Google Mazda car clubs on the internet to find one in New South Wales, or alternatively you could refer to one of the classic car magazines, such as Just Cars, where you will find a listing of cars clubs.

THE price is average for that model and year, but you'll have to pay for registration as well anything needed to make it roadworthy. Add the body damage and it's starting to look less like a bargain. The low mileage is attractive, but find out how much you will have to spend to get it back on the road with a full year of rego. If it's more than $1000, think twice about it.

IT SOUNDS as if the engine is running too rich, which could be caused by a faulty oxygen sensor in the exhaust. It's there to monitor the air-fuel mixture and send signals back to the engine-management computer. If it's faulty it could be sending the wrong message.

IT'S at the high end of what I would expect, but it's hard to provide a reason without knowing if you live in a hilly area, if you keep tyre pressures up to the correct level, if the wheel alignment is within spec, and if the engine is in good condition.