In january I took my 2001 Toyota corolla to the mechanic (that had replaced the engine 5 years ago) because it was using oil and gas mileage was very poor. He gave the car and tune up and right afterward I noticed the car hesitated for just a second within the first mile of driving. After the hesitation it had full power.
Then the check engine light came on with a code for O2 sensor; I had that part replaced about 2-3 years ago. So that was replaced. The next day I was driving on the highway when I heard a pop and lights came on everywhere. The car ran, but when I stopped, it was smoking and wouldn’t start. AAA towed it and said the water pump broke and took the serpentine belt with it, and I had it repaired there.
Car continued to to the “hesitation” thing, but I learned to live with it, until 4 weeks later it lost power and wouldn’t go more than 5 miles an hour. Very dangerous! Also the check engine light came on - O2 sensor again. The original mechanic towed it back to his shop, has had it over a month. Say sometimes it runs fine and sometimes it really hesitates. My son took the plugs out and said they didn’t look new and replaced them with best quality new plugs (mechanic said the plugs looked worn due to problems reported).
He’s been a mechanic his whole career and still can’t find out the problem. He checked the MAF and said it’s fine. I can’t afford to put more money into it, but it’s worth nothing but junk value now after putting over $1000 into it. I didn’t have these issues before I took it to him in January. He has a good reputation, but I don’t know what gives.
Is this all a coincidence that it happened at once? What could have happened?