MS3 Starting Rough

[zfreebird]

Hey. I've looked around and can't find anything on a little problem I'm having with my 2007 MS3. The problem I'm having is the car has been having a hard time starting taking about 3-5 seconds of cranking. Once it starts it runs completely fine with all the same acceleration and cruising, except for a little more vibration at idle as it is under 700 RPMs. I was thinking it could be the EGR or maybe it's the PCV valve doing something as I has been having the white smoke after prolonged idles. I've heard of the fuel pumps going out in some MS3/6s but I would think I would notice a decline in power/something noticeable. One other thing I noticed was as I am coming to a stop with the clutch in the car revs around 1300 RPMs then to 700 then to 900 as it jumps around...thought that was weird.

Right now I am trying Chevron and BP fuel and B-12 Fuel additive to see if it may be some junk stuck somewhere within the engine. I've noticed that the engine's idle has improved and it doesn't jump around as much coming to a stop.

If anyone has an idea of what could be causing this or is experiencing or has experienced the same problem please let me know.

zoom-freakin'-zoom forever! ...hopefully haha

UPDATE: Post #13

[superskaterxes]

you have a vac leak

[zfreebird]

Thats another thing I was thinking, but where could it be? fast response btw!

[dizzin9]

r u lean @ idle?

[Sacrilicious]

it's been long enough that you should check to see if your batt might be dying as well. also, check to see if your MAF is really dirty...if you haven't cleaned it since getting the car, get yourself some CRC MAF Cleaner from autozone and clean that shit off!

[zfreebird]

Its not lean at idle and i've put a volt meter on the batt. and it read 13.4 so I didn't think it was that. I'll look into the MAF soon.

[Sacrilicious]

13.4 after you shut it off, right? try checking the voltage after letting it sit overnight, btw.

[zfreebird]

Sorry for the delayed message. Weather's been bad here so I haven't done anything about the MAF. Idle has smoothened out after running the good gas and addictive through it on a little road trip. Once the rain lets up a little I'm going to go check the voltage on the batt. as it's been sitting over night. I'll let ya know what's up.

[zfreebird]

The batt. it putting out 14.0 after sitting over night. MAF looks clean. The only thing I can think of is the EGR but I still don't have a CEL. Guess I shouldn't worry to much unless the light comes on?

[Gr33ntumb]

i had an injector stuck open wich caused idle issues... but i never noticed the idle go up to 1300

[zfreebird]

Well I took the car to the dealer and of course it decided to act all normal. Left it over night and the mechanic still didn't see anything out of the norm so I had to pay the $100 fee for flashing the ECU. He wanted to replace the old fuel pump to an upgraded version mentioned in a TSB but my Third-Party Warranty does cover parts that aren't broken. For the first 2 days with the car back it was starting fine until it began the same thing. I'm am completely lost right now...any ideas?

One last thought...could the TurboSmart BPV setting be causing this? I've had it all the way tight to stop backfiring.

[zfreebird]

Ok well I finally got an engine light and took it in. They said its the EGR valve like I thought and misfires caused by the sparkplugs. The third party warranty doesn't cover EGR valves, which I know is STUPID because it's not a maintenance part, so right now I am looking at $500 for parts and labor. The plugs I will do myself. The EGR valve also isn't covered by any of Mazda's 60k mile warranties. Exactly what plugs should I go with if I am running CAI, CBE, BPV, and TestPipe?

[zfreebird]

UPDATE!!!

Ok. I replaced the sparkplugs with Densos and it didn't fix the problem so I decided to clean the EGR valve. First i had to take off the intercooler and unplug the battery. I also found out that to take the EGR valve completely off you have to drain the radiator fluid because there is a water line running though it. Instead, I removed the 4 screws holding the electric valve solenoid on and took it out cleaning it with some carb/brake cleaner. I also noticed the valve to be a bit sticky so I pushed the valve down and put in 3.5mL of SeaFoam and then pumped the valve multiple times until I noticed it to begin to smoothen out. After that, I put everything back together and started the car up and got no CEL, nor have I had the weird idle coming to a stop, nor have i had a hard time starting. It smoked a little bit on the initial start up due to the SeaFoam but all has been well for 2 weeks now. I may do this every 25k miles and next time may put in a little more SeaFoam.

[desertrat]

did you reuse the gasket?

[zfreebird]

When I went into it I had already bought a new EGR gasket from Mazda but after i realized i had to drain the radiator i decided to leave it alone until i need to replace the fluid. If your speaking of the the metal gasket between the electric solenoid and the actual valve assembly on the EGR then yes i reused it. Are you having similar issues?

[Raider]

I am experiencing the exact same problem. Since yesterday, my car took a lot more turning over to start. Today, CEL. P0401. EGR is clogged.

I have to clean that sumbitch out. I have been trying to find a diagram or pics of where the EGR pipe is, and have found multiple/conflicting comments where it is.

I have 51K miles on my Speed as of today. Zfreebird, I will be following what you did to do some leaning. I might have that hose bypassed, but I am not sure. It will hep in locating it for sure.

[zfreebird]

Thats funny because mine started around 48k. After doing this it hasnt done it again except for it reving when it comes down to an idle occasionally. I would definitely put in a little more SeaFoam then i did (3.5mL). Also, incase you haven't found the EGR valve it is located directly to the right of the intercooler if you looking from the front of the car. Its sorta towards the back and has four screws holding a circular plastic part on(also has a connect connecting it). If you have any other questions let me know.

[zfreebird]

BTW i think its this fuel in jacksonville...haha jk

[Raider]

I think it very well might be the Jax fuel! Have you gone to any of the local meets? I am up in Oceanway.

I have not Seafoam'd my Speed before. so I will for sure do the full treatment after for sure.

It is kind of odd, that so many people have this issue, but I have not found a single step-by-step how to like I had for my P5. Looks like I might have to make one.

[zfreebird]

Yea i found out about this technique on a prelude forum. When you go to SeaFoam do not rev it up when you start it up. Let it idle for a bit. I revved mine a little to soon and got a nice CEL which went away by unplugging the batt(this is from the SeaFoam treatment not the SeaFoam in the EGR).

But no, i havent been to any of the meets other than StrretUnits episode 1. I keep meeting guys that do go to the meets around here and i probably will make it out to one sometime. BTW, do you know anything about the Tail of the Dragon meet?

[desertrat]

was there a metal stainless steel gasket on the valve and actuator?

[zfreebird]

Yes there was and it is symmetrical so it doesn't matter in the direction when placing it back on the EGR.

Here's a little tip. I found that when taking out the four screws that hold the actuator on it is a great idea to use an extendable magnet to hold onto the screws while unscrewing them because if they fall...good luck. Also, use it to hold the screws to help start them when putting it back together.

[Raider]

Cool tip I will remember as I will be going to work on it in an hour or so.

Here is my contribution to the thread, as it took forever to find it in searches. Diagrams of the EGR. It is attached. I will be bringing my camera to take pics for a possible how-to.

[Raider]

OK, I cleaned the EGR, took pics for a how-to, which I will make. It is actually pretty easy to do, a lot easier than the 3rd gen proteges.

Turned out, my EGR was stuck pretty damn good. pipe had some stuff, and there was a pile of carbon sitting in front of the pipe when we took it off. used brake cleaner and unjammed the EGR ($430 from the dealer new if you buy one!) and reinstalled. Did a Seafoam treatment immediately, which made it belch out all kinds of smokey goodness. CEL is gone, starts a lot better, too. Anyone who has this CEL code will want to take off and clean the EGR.

Look for a how-to sometime soon.

[Sacrilicious]

a how-to would definitely help a lot of people!

[Raider]

How to is posted.

http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...d-3-egr-50596/

[zfreebird]

Great job Raider! Glad it work for you!

[Raider]

Thaks. 300 mile, no CEL. I cannot believe the dealer wants so much to clean it!

[zfreebird]

Mine didnt even give me the option of cleaning and wanted around $500. I'm glad I figured it out.

[Raider]

Yeah, that is cool. If it comes back, clean the EGR. I can help watch you do it and tell you what you need to do if you want. Just needs to be at your place, as I am not dropping coolant on my driveway.

[zfreebird]

haha. btw what coolant do we use? Also, the only thing i am unsure about it unplugging the ECU cables...any tricks? Im planning on completely cleaning the EGR Valve this summer where i am going to drain and replace the coolant and also put in either the COBB or CPE Turbo Inlet hose.

[Raider]

Perfect time to install the TIP.

I used Prestone pre-mixed. It is easy to unplug the ECU. flip up the clip, press with screwdriver, and out.

[zfreebird]

ok. thats what i thought. thanks.

[dan7225]

i've noticed its a lil hard to start lately too.
just got p0401 on the way home today.

looks like i'll be cleaning my egr as well.
65K miles.

[zfreebird]

Yea glad to help. Make sure to take a look at Raider's How-To. I was to lazy to write one. Good luck.