jim-san

My 2004 Mazda 3 Sport GS engine (2.3L) failed last month. You can read the sorry tale in this thread (page 3):

https://www.mazda3club.com/mazda3-ma...-engine-56735/

I looked into having the engine replaced with another (used) 2.3L engine. The price was prohibitive. So I bought a used 2013 Mazda 3 Sport GX with the 2.0L engine.

There's a company offering to replace 2.3L engines with a 2.0L engine or 2.5L engine (they say they will replace the "unreliable" 2.3L engine with one of these other variants).

I can see that the 2.0L engine might be a suitable replacement since the 2.0L engine was available in the 1st gen MZ3 sedans. But since the 2.5L engine was introduced only in the 2nd gen MZ3 models, might this not be more problematic?

Has anyone replace their 2.3L engine with the 2.0L or 2.5L engine?

Scooter B

Sorry you didn't get any replies but I am curious about the name of the company offering to do this or other info you may have found.

My 2004 3 S engine has a rod coming loose. I specifically was drawn to this car besides the looks and needed hatchback space because it was really the only car with good performance and gas milage. I don't think I would be happy with a 2.0 but can't afford anything at the moment.

Just trying to research all options.

jim-san

There's a couple of threads you might be interested in on the Mazda 3 Forums:

Other sources of 2.3L engines

thlillyr's thread on using a Ford Fusion 2.5L engine to replace the 2.3L engine

Mazda 6 and Ford Fusion 2.3L engine swap

The company I found offering to swap the 2.3L engine for a 2.0L or 2.5L is local to me. You might be able to find similar companies in your area.

ENGINE MAZDA 3/5/6 4 CYL 2004-09 I INSTALL A 2010 + LOW MILLAGE | engine, engine parts | Ottawa | Kijiji

Good luck! Let us know how things work out, on this or the other forums.

Scooter B

Thanks for the references. Feeling pretty hopeless right now stuck on disability income. I can't work overtime, take an extra job and sold most of what I owned when I had to sell my house years back..

Scooter B

I am still reading through the links jim-san so graciously provided and found some interesting information related to swapping a Ford 2.3L and/or 2.5L engine.

The Ford engines seem to cost around 1/2 or less of what the Mazda engines cost. You do have to swap some parts out but there is some extensive information on what needs to be switched out. Most of the forum type information is on another Mazda 3 Forum that I registered for and signed in on but it won't let me post anything.... emailed moderators twice now.

Anyway I wanted to ask on that forum and/or here if anyone had a list of compatible Ford engines for a 2004 Mazda 3 S so I can check prices. The Wiki page linked above lists some details on engines and variants but not so much of course about compatibility.

So far from one of the other links I know one car model with a 2.3L engine that is confirmed to fit;

2006-2009 Ford Fusion engine

I'm trying to compile a list as I go but if anyone has or knows of an existing one I would appreciate it.

Scooter B

Mazda 6 and Ford Fusion 2.3L Engine Swap | Happy Wrenching

Found above link inside one of the links jim-san provided. Most detailed and organized presentation of factors related to the 2.3L Ford engine replacement. Just wish I had the tools, time, knowledge, space and ability to focus to do this myself.

jim-san

The price that I got from two garages for a used Mazda 3 engine was around $1,200. Apparently Mazda 2.3L engines are in short supply. But I've been watching Kijiji (Craig's List in the U.S.) and I've found several for $400 - $900. I'm going yo ask my local mechanic (who I trust) what he thinks about using one of these.

Scooter B

Thanks I would appreciate any knowledgeable input I can get. I loved driving this car for the month I had it and I really needed the extra hatchback space.

Scooter B

Update on my research findings related to using a Ford 2.3 or 2.5 engine.

- The price difference is HUGE! I saw some Ford 2.3 and/or 2.5 engines on ebay between 75K to 105K miles offered as buy it now prices as low as $700-$900! Some of course were higher, some had free shipping and some even had warranty on parts only.

- The people reporting having swapped a Ford engine replacement seem to indicate the sudden catastrophic failures frequent to Mazda's 2.3L do not plague the ford engines. One guy that did his own swap and posted a tutorial reported he had put 114K miles on the used Ford engine without any unusual or major problems.

Scooter B

I going to post the compatibility information I was able to find consistent references to online however I am unable to independently verify that this information is 100% accurate. Use information below as an initial starting point if you are interested in looking into a Ford engine swap.

Ford Engines compatible with 2004 Mazda 3



2.3L Mazda designed L Engine / Ford Duratec 23 DOHC I4 (23EW *)

Model Years HP MPG
Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan 2006-2009
Ford Focus 2000-2007
2.3 L (138 CID; 2261 cc) 160 hp 24/31

2.5L Mazda designed L Engine / Ford Duratec 25 DOHC I4 (25EW )

Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan 2010-2012
2.5 L (152 CID; 2488 cc) 175 hp 22/31


* EW fits transverse mount FWD vehicles

IMPORTANT: Make sure any engine you buy was built for a transverse installation by verifying the engine has the EW trailing part number for the engine or that the engine came out of a Ford model that would have had a transverse installation (Fusion, Focus and some Mercury models). There are 2.3L and/or 2.5L Ford Duratec engines that went into some small pickups and small SUV's that were mounted longitudinally.

Scooter B

My apologies on the formatting. I had this info in an Excel document and I relined lined up the columns for car model years, HP and MPG to align properly in the reply box but the board or server (?) reformatted everything when posted to eliminate the extra spaces.