I'm a Duct Tape Mechanic

Audra's 2002 Mazda Milenia has been running a little rough for weeks now and it was really starting to get annoying. Whenever you would gun it it would just sputter and sometimes die. Well, I finally got fed up and started checking things out on it this morning. I could not find anything wrong and was about ready to take it to a mechanic when Audra came out to check on my progress. I was leaning into the engine compartment when she says, "Is that supposed to have cracks in it?"

I looked at what she was talking about and it was the Main Air intake from the Air Filter Housing to the engine. Not only was the Rubber hose cracked in several places and sucking for air big time, but one of the tiny vacuum hoses that are supposed to be attached to the Air Filter Housing was unplugged.

I looked at it for like ten seconds and then told Audra I would be right back. I ran into the house and got some paper towels to clean the hose and duct tape to patch it up with. After doing both, we then plugged the vacuum hose back up also. Anyway, to our VERY pleasant surprise, we just got back from taking the car on a short up and down trip on Highway 99 and it is now running like the day we bought it. There is no hesitation at all when you gun the pedal and it has all it's power back.

Duct tape really can fix anything...

Next is my car...I wonder if I can use duct tape to replace the timing chain on it...???