Fkin motor blew! (stock '07)

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

So we have had the Mazdaspeed3 a whopping 45 days, I just made the first payment, and the motor blows up!

Now, keep in mind the car has 58k and the warranty is good through 60k.

Tuesday March 16, I was driving home from work and was accelerating to get on the highway at around 4-5k rpms. All of a sudden the CEL starts flashing, the motor hesitates and the car bucks around a bit then it dies. I coast to a stop on the side of the road and it won't restart. The first thing I am thinking is the assholes at Jiffy Lube better have put the drain plug back on right because we just had the oil changed. So I call Mazda roadside service and they send a tow truck our FOC.

I've called several times about the car and no answer from my service adviser. I needed to get a rental car. I went up TO the dealer (can't avoid me when I'm in yo face!) and got a status and rental the following Friday. I talked to the tech that was working on the car. He said he dropped the oil pan, saw metal bit in the pan, looked further into the motor and saw that one piston had a hole the size of a dime in it. WTF??

So aside from me being pissed that I JUST bought the car, it was pre-certified, and I've been given the run around and have to go TO the dealer to get an answer, I find out that the regional Mazda rep has to come out and inspect the car before he approves a motor replacement, even if it's under warranty.

Fine.

But now I am STILL getting the run around, no one will answer my calls. I just want a goddamn status on if the Mazda rep has come by, if the motor will be ordered soon, ad how long it will take. I went up to the dealer AGAIN this past Wednesday the 24th. No one was available because they were in a meeting.

FINE.

Asked for a callback. The receptionist said she would have my service adviser call me back. No call back as of Friday March 26th.

FINNNNNE. I'm fucking PISSED now.

I emailed the sales manager and the service manager about our car-buying experience:

Sir, This car was purchased by me for our family with my husband Gregory as a co-signer. That being said I would like to tell you about our experience thus so far. I am very upset with the car that we bought and the service we've received. I just made the first payment on the 2007 Mazdaspeed3. I was going home from work on March 15th and the motor seized. We just had changed the oil per the recommended schedule, but other than that, we have not had the car long enough to have other services performed. I called Mazda Roadside Service and they informed me that my car was still covered and they sent a tow truck immediately. I had the car towed to North Park. I called the service department the next day to see if they had gotten a chance to look at the car. They didn't. That's ok because, having worked in a dealer service department before, I know it can get busy. My disappointment began when I called several times over the next few days trying to get a status update and my calls were not taken by my service adviser. I finally had to drive to the dealership before work on the 19th just to be able to speak to someone. I was told that I would be put in a loaner car over the weekend, that the regional Mazda rep had to come out to inspect the car before the authorization for a motor would be given. I have been calling daily for an update and have received no return call. I even went to the dealership a second time on the 24th to no avail again. I had the service receptionist leave my service adviser, Marshall, a note to call me back asap. No return call to date. I was assured that after the situation with another North Park customer (who owns a Mazda 3 and had to have the motor replaced) that the service department was upping their service level. I would think that after the bad publicity received after that incident, customer relations would be handled more diligently, but apparently not in my case. I realize that I am dealing with two entities here, North Park and MNAO. I am telling you this regarding the service I have received and the poor quality of the pre-certified car I bought. I take care of my children at home through the day and work until midnight. I do not have the time to go to the dealership and seek out my service adviser. I was told this car had the remainder of a 60,000 Mile drivetrain warranty when I bought it. This should cover an internal engine catastrophic failure. Please assist in resolving this situation. It would not be good for dealership to get a black mark in the public eye about a newly purchased car with only 58,000 miles that had the motor seize and was NOT covered under warranty as due. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Diana Stevens United States Air Force

I did put my contact info but took it out here.

Here's the story on the guy I referenced that had to have his motor replaced:

North Park Mazda hits home run responding to man's car troubles | kens5.com | San Antonio News, Weather, Sports, Traffic, Entertainment, Video and Photos

The poor guy was given the run around for 3 mos then contacted the new. I like the positive spin they put on it. The things you don't hear about is the fact that the guy was given the run around about his motor install and his car was hit while in the shop!! heads fkin ROLLED over this because the dealer owner does NOT want bad press.

So the service manager called me within an hour, apologized profusely for the service adviser's lack of communication and said he will personally be handling my case from that point forward. He also said that regardless of if Mazda denies warranty on my car, that the dealer will pay for it (better had, it's certified pre-owned). He also said as soon as we got off the phone he ordered the motor. I asked that for the inconvenience, that they fix the radio media input.

We'll see how things go...

[Lex]

Damn, someone unloaded an abused car it seems. Did you check around the motor for modifications etc?

EDIT: Nevermind about vibrations - did this car hesitate at WOT? I guess you weren't monitoring fuel pressure. Maybe an injector stopped working because it sounds like it went lean.

[cageyvet]

stay on their ass

Now thats were the dime fell when u were changing sparkplugs

[MS3-a(sore)ASS-rex]

If darksun had traded his car in any sooner and my money would bet on this car being it haha but forreal tear Mazda a new one they're a real PITA when it comes to mechanical probs with our mazdaspeeds

[superskaterxes]

lol can u try and get the dealer to take picts of the piston that was fried? i find it hard to believe u can make a hole in a piston w/o shattering it.

[rodrigo]

so the car lasts for 58k miles and it takes a shit on a new owner within a few weeks.

hmmm......well, unpopular as my comments may be at times, i think driver input plays and will play alot in engines failures. ignoring situations like this and just blaming the previous owner is not necessarily the complete story.

shit happens for a reason and for me i wouldnt be so gun ho about putting it all on the guy b4 me (which might very well be true) , it just pays off more to analyze EVERY option.

fortunately like you stated you will be taken care of .

[phillyb]

so who said we haven't had any piston failures yet???
interesting.

[rodrigo]

Originally Posted by phillyb so who said we haven't had any piston failures yet??? interesting.

yes, i do recall that being said on another thread were i recommended the lad swap rods AND pistons if he was going to crack th4e engine open........

[Lex]

Originally Posted by phillyb so who said we haven't had any piston failures yet??? interesting.

A hole in a piston requires some major heat and/or usually pre-ignition. Deposits, lack of fuel, etc etc.

[phillyb]

Originally Posted by Lex A hole in a piston requires some major heat and/or usually pre-ignition. Deposits, lack of fuel, etc etc.

i didn't ask what you answered.
thanks lex.

[Lex]

Originally Posted by phillyb i didn't ask what you answered. thanks lex.

If you have a big hole in a stock piston, you'll have a smaller hole in a forged one. The motor wasn't running right. This isn't a case of too much torque bending a rod.

[MS3-a(sore)ASS-rex]

And can u tell us the cel or is it too late? Bc if it threw a lean code before failing that would mean detonation and that equals hole in piston not shattered piston

[jmustang68]

That sucks that you had to bitch them out via email to get a response. At least now you are getting your new motor. What kind of timeframe did they give you for getting a new one in?

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

Originally Posted by Lex Damn, someone unloaded an abused car it seems. Did you check around the motor for modifications etc? EDIT: Nevermind about vibrations - did this car hesitate at WOT? I guess you weren't monitoring fuel pressure. Maybe an injector stopped working because it sounds like it went lean.

No I wasn't monitoring fuel pressure. I *thought* before that a stock car would not require gauges to closely monitor the motor. IMO it's helpful to know what's going on but vital? Sounds like a lot more work than what should be necessary for a dependable, stock daily driver.

Originally Posted by 18psiWhiteMS3 Now thats were the dime fell when u were changing sparkplugs

ha!

Originally Posted by Lenny127 so the car lasts for 58k miles and it takes a shit on a new owner within a few weeks. hmmm......well, unpopular as my comments may be at times, i think driver input plays and will play alot in engines failures. ignoring situations like this and just blaming the previous owner is not necessarily the complete story. shit happens for a reason and for me i wouldnt be so gun ho about putting it all on the guy b4 me (which might very well be true) , it just pays off more to analyze EVERY option. fortunately like you stated you will be taken care of .

Devil's advocate. I'll bite. In my 18 years of personal automotive experience (working on cars and racing them) I have not seen a motor blow at such low mileage even if raced.

I understand that you do not know me so I will be fair in saying that I am not just some girl who bought a car cuz I thought guys would like me for it. I prefer performance oriented cars and have owned/raced cars for quite some time (drag and autocross).

Seeing from all my research here and on other forums, personally with MS3 owners, and with dealer service managers who I personally know, these cars have a high failure rate if modded. That seems like a more logical deduction than to blame my driving habits, which are normally calm considering I have job preservation in mind (read: I don't race on the street).

Originally Posted by Lex If you have a hole in a big stock piston, you'll have a smaller hole in a forged one.

wat??

Originally Posted by Lex The motor wasn't running right. This isn't a case of too much torque bending a rod.

That's a true and obvious statement.

Here are the facts in this case:
• I owned the car for about 45 days

• I changed the oil with synthetic once per the manufacturer recommended interval

• I haven't street raced it (retarded imo to state this, but it seems to run rampant for the demographic for these vehicles' owners)

• The CEL DID flash (possibly knock, idk because I did not personally pull codes, I just had it towed to the dealer)

• I always let the car run for 1-2 minutes before shutting it down if I was in boost within 2-3 miles before shutdown

• I religiously ran Chevron 93 octane in the car

Other facts, perhaps related:
• Pre-detonation can occur if the engine has substantial carbon buildup on the tops of the pistons, even if high octane gas is used

• Pistons don't get holes blown in them from a single instance of pre-detonation; if that was the case a lot more motors would have catastrophic failures as this one did

• I am not sure (nor is anyone else I have asked) if the MZR 2.3L was modified specifically for the Mazdaspeed cars with forged internals

Originally Posted by jmustang68 That sucks that you had to bitch them out via email to get a response. At least now you are getting your new motor. What kind of timeframe did they give you for getting a new one in?

No time frame was given, but having worked for a dealer, I know it can take over a week to get a motor in if they have one in stock and ready to roll; longer if one has to be ordered by the Cali warehouse.

[silversurfer3]

the Mazdaspeed3 is the best.
Zoom zoom boom never gets old.
You have to be thinking mang we will mine BLOW???
And yes it will blow!!!!
Stock or not

[xcoldricex]

sorry to hear about your experience - hope the dealer pulls through and keeps their word. GOOD LUCK and update us on your progress.

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

Originally Posted by silversurfer3 the Mazdaspeed3 is the best. Zoom zoom boom never gets old. You have to be thinking mang we will mine BLOW??? And yes it will blow!!!! Stock or not

lol that will be my mission then: highest milage on an MZR 2.3 without being blown

Originally Posted by xcoldricex sorry to hear about your experience - hope the dealer pulls through and keeps their word. GOOD LUCK and update us on your progress.

Will do.

[Haltech]

Im at 47,000 miles, stage 2, abused like hell and shes staying together fine.

[MS3-a(sore)ASS-rex]

Originally Posted by Haltech Im at 47,000 miles, stage 2, abused like hell and shes staying together fine.

I just knocked on wood for u haha

[Lex]

The DISI motor has different internals.

There aren't many cars with holes in pistons but this failure is a clear evidence that something was wrong with this motor. Dying fuel pump, injector no longer opened well, injector stuck open, very heavy carbon buildup, carbon falling into motor from valves etc.

I would venture to say that in another scenario a similar failure could have resulted in a hole in the side of the block.

[gsrtype1]

Dang that sucks after a short time owning the car. hope they fix it for you!

[Bravnik]

Makes me glad I got rid of mine.

[johnsin55]

Originally Posted by Haltech Im at 47,000 miles, stage 2, abused like hell and shes staying together fine.

Same here... I put her through her paces EVERY time I take her out and no problems thus far, been bolted and BT since 25,000, have 44,000 on the clock now and Ive been raping her since I brought her home with 33 miles....


I think she likes it....

Seems like the majority of the cars with issues are the ones where the owner "babies" it all the time...

[ms3077]

Originally Posted by Mazdaspeedgirl • I haven't street raced it (retarded imo to state this, but it seems to run rampant for the demographic for these vehicles' owners)

That's all fine and dandy you don't race on the street but what does that have to do with the car blowing or not? And how is racing on the street vs. the track any different in terms of the motor blowing or not?

Bottom line is this. You bought a pre-owned high performance turbo car with 58k miles on it. No body but the original owner knows what this car has been through so the cause of the problem could be almost anything.

It just the risk you take when buying a car of this nature, especially with so many miles. 58k miles is far from just a “little bit” that’s easily 3 years worth of driving and God knows what modifications, how it was taken care of, etc before you bought it.

This is why I would never even think about buying a used turbo 4cyl car. And especially not one with relatively new tech such as direct fuel injection. Anyways, you’ll most likely get the motor replaced under warranty so I wouldn’t worry about it to much.

[Stealth01]

Wow. Something tells me this car was NOT stock before it was traded in. I'm at 38K miles on my MS6, with just a short shifter and the MSCAI, but I worry constantly about what the previous lessee may have done to it.

Good luck -- hope they fix you up!

Originally Posted by ms3077 Bottom line is this. You bought a pre-owned high performance turbo car with 58k miles on it. No body but the original owner knows what this car has been through so the cause of the problem could be almost anything.

True about the original owner. That'd be my guess. It causes me worry all the dang time.

Originally Posted by ms3077 It just the risk you take when buying a car of this nature, especially with so many miles. 58k miles is far from just a “little bit” that’s easily 3 years worth of driving and God knows what modifications, how it was taken care of, etc before you bought it.

You don't take the same risk when buying a turbocharged WRX or STi. They seem to hold up fine. Same with Audis. 335is. Etc.

And 58K miles is a lot more than three years. The AVERAGE American driver puts 10K miles a year on their car, so that's nearly six years of driving on that car. That's a lot.

[Dre]

Sucks.. hope they dont dilly-dally on the motor replacement.. when you do get the new motor though, drive it like you stole it!

[MS33SM]

Look at the bright side, when all is said and done you'll have a brand new motor and you basically bought a new car. Be glad it happened so soon and not 2,000 miles later. I hope you get there with $0 out of pocket cost.

Also, isn't it pathetic that MS3 owners have this mindset?

[b00b00]

Hope this never happens to me.

[yearzero]

And 58K miles is a lot more than three years. The AVERAGE American driver puts 10K miles a year on their car, so that's nearly six years of driving on that car. That's a lot.

except that it's only three years old.... and i drive almost 24k a year in my ms3. high milage late model cars typically mean highway miles.. typically.

[Stealth01]

Originally Posted by yearzero except that it's only three years old.... and i drive almost 24k a year in my ms3. high milage late model cars typically mean highway miles.. typically.

Yeah, I know. I put 90K on my 6S in 3 years of commuting. And while highway miles are easier on engines, they're still miles. Wear and tear, especially since she has no idea if the previous owner maintained the car well or not.

[dizzin9]

so how's your driving style? do u accelerate at high gear, low rpms (~2kish)? which gear and what rpms do u go WOT? do u boost at PT? do u accelerate hard and shift early - (5-10 psi on 1st-2nd-3rd-4th then shift at ~2500 for example)?

[Fobio]

Originally Posted by Mazdaspeedgirl • I haven't street raced it (retarded imo to state this, but it seems to run rampant for the demographic for these vehicles' owners) • Pistons don't get holes blown in them from a single instance of pre-detonation; if that was the case a lot more motors would have catastrophic failures as this one did

72,000km...hard driven...mods in sig, and should be updated....tracked, stop and go, WOT, PT, autox, time attack, TRACK DAYS!!!!...heat-soaked newb-ass Friday night test and tune drag racing...stupid dyno dyno dyno...50+ map changes...slapped silly off the lot, slapped silly daily really...she loves it, and it's in the shop now getting rewarded with more power...better handling is called for and on they way...

sorry for your loss...but like lex said, that engine had something wrong with it to begin with...at least it let go the proper way.

I was talking to a tuner friend and he said usually pistons go before rods, unlike our cars...so you should count yourself lucky the dealer "missed" it...now you get to properly break it in yourself...

[Regulator]

lmao at blaming the build quality. I have owned two, never had a problem with either one

[tuners]

Yes this will be a big hassle but look at the bright side - you probably got a really good price on a car w/58,000 miles and now you have a new engine that hasn't been f'd all up my the previous idiot who owned the car.

Life will be good again in a week or two. Enjoy.

[dizzin9]

i hope she buys a dashhawk at least to monitor things

[FearUndersteer]

I am sad you decided to get the oil changed at Jiffy Lube considering what an enthusiast your are (nice miata!).

Likely the quick lube place was in a hurry and perhaps the engine was leaking oil due to loose drain plug or more likely they broke the plastic cap on the cartridge filter.

Enjoy the new engine but find a better mechanic or try changing your own oil it really is not that bad.

[rodrigo]

Originally Posted by Haltech Im at 47,000 miles, stage 2, abused like hell and shes staying together fine.

fag, wtf...47k u stopped driving it?? shit im at almost 70k fml

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

Yep. I know that's what I get for buying a used "performance" car.

I bought my RX-8 brand new and it was a POS. I WORKED at the dealer when I owned the RX-8, so I knew full well that it wasn't just mine that was having issues. The RX-8 enthusiasts turned a blind eye to the issues thinking it wouldn't happen to theirs either. ha!

[08cosmic3]

I don't buy the hole in the piston story from the dealer. The piston is probably busted from the busted rod hitting it. They removed the plugs and shined a light down and saw a busted piston and told the girl it has a hole in it.