Mitsubishi Repair: 1995 mirage, emission control system, vacuum leaks

Question
My daughters 1995 mirage 1.5 auto,146,000 miles,it misses sputters,backfires until it gets warmed up...I have tried wires, plugs, rotor and cap. I have no way of checking the sensors or computer, no dealer for 100 miles. What can i do?......thanks

Answer
Denny: This is right out of my repair manual about backfires and sputters... emission control system not functioning properly, ignition timing incorrect, fuel injection system in need of adjustment or worn excessively, vacuum leaks, damaged or worn lash adjusted and/or valves sticking. Is there a shop or a garage closer than 100 miles? Because a lot of garages or shops can do a code on your daughter's car, that is where they hook their computer up to the car's computer. Which then kicks out a print out to let you know what is going on in the system. If you got a repair manual and voltmeter; you can check the sensors and computer that way too. Still it sounds like a vacuum leak to me, sometimes those are really hard to find though. As it could be a very small hole someplace. Can't think of the name of this piece, but it what doctors use to listen to our hearts. If you got that piece, you could listen to your car and find the leak that way. But then if not the vacuum leak, it sounds like a sensor going bad too. As they do start to go at around this many miles. Well hope this helps and good luck! Linda