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I've found, after some fumbling around with the vaccum hoses, that my front solenoid (pressure regulator control) that its sort of broke. This is the sensor that resides on the side of the original air filter box.

The side part where the tube is meant to connect has been severed, has been like this since i bought the car. The tube was instead stuck to the top of this. I have since plugged the sensor but need a new one. (Is this ok for a quick fix until i replace it?)

But the reaul reason for this post is that I don't really want to pay $120 AU for a new sensor and mx-3's are very rare and I can't seem to find one at the wreckers. Does anybody have one that is just floating around and would like to sell me...or can somebody tell me of a cheap unit that will do the job off of another vehicle?

how bout a MX-6 or 626 one?

You don't need it. Just run a hose striaght off the intake manifold to the fuel pressure regulator.

Can somebody tell me why its there then in the first place, mazda must of had a reason to add extra junk to our cars, other than to jack up the price.

The solenoid valve is there to allow the ECU to control Fuel Pressure Regulation. If you run a hose straight from the inlet manifold to the Pressure Regulator, the ECU will lose control. As far as I can make out, this control is used to raise the fuel pressure during a "hot restart idle" - it may have other functions.

Check an air conditioner automotive repair shop! I have found some which work exactly the same way for 12$!!

i have a brand new one ill let you have for 35$ usa +shipping

I have one i'll sell u for 10 shipped via paypal. Functions fine

groharlem@hotmail.com

ok I have a question ... that little hose that comes off stock air box .. can I just disconnect it and leave it hanging??? Cause I just got a K & N filter and took out the stock air filter box and just stuck the filter in replacement of the box, so there is no place to plug the little hose into now

Thanks for explanation IanL. I'll try the automotive repair shop to see if they can replace it, otherwise Gro Harlem I'll take you offer up.

Friendlyhacker, I would personally put a small filter onto the hose...cause i don't think unfiltered air is very healthy even in small doses, as it adds up over time.

Friendly: that little hose is IMPORTANT!!! it is a vacuum sensor that helps control the fuel mix.

When mine broke off I didn't know what was wrong at first until my buddy told me about black smoke coming out the back when I put the peddle down.. I was running rich because it thought I had lots of air.

I replaced the top part of the box and put it back on and my fuel mileage went up and no more black smoke.

Originally posted by Friendlyhacker:
ok I have a question ... that little hose that comes off stock air box .. can I just disconnect it and leave it hanging??? Cause I just got a K & N filter and took out the stock air filter box and just stuck the filter in replacement of the box, so there is no place to plug the little hose into now

Originally posted by RoundTop:
Friendly: that little hose is IMPORTANT!!! it is a vacuum sensor that helps control the fuel mix.

When mine broke off I didn't know what was wrong at first until my buddy told me about black smoke coming out the back when I put the peddle down.. I was running rich because it thought I had lots of air.

I replaced the top part of the box and put it back on and my fuel mileage went up and no more black smoke.

RoundTop is correct - without a vacuum supply to that hose, the Fuel Pressure Regulator will provide excess pressure = excess fuel. Some people think this means more power - it does NOT; it means an over-rich mixture.

If you can't plug the hose back into the air box, it needs to plug into another vacuum port. But don't forget (see post above) it should go to the solenoid valve, for the ECU to have control of the FPR.

<small>[ June 04, 2004, 02:42 AM: Message edited by: IanL ]</small>

Just do what I said before- run a hose from the manifold to the fpr. The jspec engines are run this way from the factory. You will see zero negative effects from removing it.