Throttlemonkey
Member
- :
- 2008 Mazda 3 GT
First post here so I will start with the basic info:
Bought the car about a month ago as a replacement/upgrade to my old civic commuter car, read great online reviews about it everywhere. It had 42K miles and was in spotless shape, meticulously maintained and got a great price on a private party sale. Test drive was great but when i drove it home on the highway i started to feel a slight hesitation on hills. It also had a bent wheel that I couldn't feel until 60 mph but I had that straghtened and the vibration went away.
So, I started pouring through forums and found this to be common, unfortunately everyone thinks the issue is something different and has a different solution! I put in new plugs, K&N filter, cleaned the TB and MAF, grounded the TB, took it to the dealer to check motor mounts and that I hade the latest software and no engine faults. Not a lot of soot on the tailpipe as some have reported and 30 mpg avg. Everything is fine, no issues, runs like crap....
I wouldn't say complete crap but definitely a noticable hesitation and seems to bog on the hwy when you get to a hill.
Next on the list:
Check ignition coils, does anyone have specs on resistance?
Intake shutter valve, reports of sticking and recalls, if I take it apart will I find an obvious problem?
Fuel pressure/cleaning injectors - Any procedures for testing pressure?
I am pretty mechanically competent and have all common tools so I have no problem tackling jobs like this ( for reference I did a 12 hr timing belt replacement on my Tundra)
I just can't stand spending $150 at a dealer for them to tell me nothing's wrong, that's just the way they are.... On that note, anyone have recommendations on a Mazda shop in New England that may actually be competent to diagnose this?
Any input or suggestions greatly appreciated.
Bill
Bought the car about a month ago as a replacement/upgrade to my old civic commuter car, read great online reviews about it everywhere. It had 42K miles and was in spotless shape, meticulously maintained and got a great price on a private party sale. Test drive was great but when i drove it home on the highway i started to feel a slight hesitation on hills. It also had a bent wheel that I couldn't feel until 60 mph but I had that straghtened and the vibration went away.
So, I started pouring through forums and found this to be common, unfortunately everyone thinks the issue is something different and has a different solution! I put in new plugs, K&N filter, cleaned the TB and MAF, grounded the TB, took it to the dealer to check motor mounts and that I hade the latest software and no engine faults. Not a lot of soot on the tailpipe as some have reported and 30 mpg avg. Everything is fine, no issues, runs like crap....
I wouldn't say complete crap but definitely a noticable hesitation and seems to bog on the hwy when you get to a hill.
Next on the list:
Check ignition coils, does anyone have specs on resistance?
Intake shutter valve, reports of sticking and recalls, if I take it apart will I find an obvious problem?
Fuel pressure/cleaning injectors - Any procedures for testing pressure?
I am pretty mechanically competent and have all common tools so I have no problem tackling jobs like this ( for reference I did a 12 hr timing belt replacement on my Tundra)
I just can't stand spending $150 at a dealer for them to tell me nothing's wrong, that's just the way they are.... On that note, anyone have recommendations on a Mazda shop in New England that may actually be competent to diagnose this?
Any input or suggestions greatly appreciated.
Bill