2002 Protege5
 

Hello all. New here, but have been a P5 owner since Dec 02. My car has 34000 miles on it and since I hit about 15000-20000 miles there is a very very loud knock coming from the engine. It happens when cold, warm, all the time. It sounds like a diesel. Now, i've brought the car in twice and both times they said nothing was wrong, that it's normal. Funny thing is though, that both times I went in, the same "kid" was the one who looked at it, and before he walked up, he was detailing cars so I doubt he even is a mechanic. Another problem i've had for quite some time is that clutch chatter, like it doesn't want to engage. I read the TSB and it says it does it when cold. Well not mine. Mine does it after you've been driving around town for a couple hours. I've taken it in for this as well and they said no such TSB exists and there is no problem. The reason i'm asking for your input is because I would like to get all problems fixed before my waranty expires.

Welcome aboard!

Uh, maybe take it to another dealership (if an option) or another garage and have them document the problem. Because it might be a major impending failure - keep all documentation (dates/times/"mechanic's" name).

Both the engine knock and the clutch problem are not 'normal'. Def' get it fixed before the warranty runs out!

Hello Abra and welcome to the forum......

DEFINATELY take your car to another dealership....its obvious that the one you have taken it to doesn't know how to do business.....and its customer relations sucks. Even if it means you need to drive a long ways.....it sounds like you have a couple major problems....and if you don't get them fixed soon...YOU will be paying for the massive repairs in the end.

ya, definitly go back in, make sure they do a THUROUGH check of the car, and document ALL of your claims, make sure they get it all down in their notes, and that you have an official copy of it all, do this at several dealerships, one may even fix it under warranty if they feel like being honest... so if the engine does decide to crap out after your warranty is up, you can take it to another shop, get them to diagnose the cause, and if the knocking may have led up to it, and then mazda will be forced to repair it...

good luck, warranty work is a bitch

- James