Back from the Dealer
 

Finally got sick of the noise and filled up with 89... still had the problem, but not anywhere near as bad as with 87. Thought I would have driven most of it off by the time I got to the dealer but was wrong. So, I dropped it off and let them know they could drain it if needed to try the 87 after they're done whatever it was they were going to try. oh yea, my point.. hehe sorry (I'm a little out of it)

EVERYTHING checked out. Timing, emissions, plugs, wires...etc.
They suspected carbon build up and ran a cleaner through the system (approx $100) for free.. Drove the remainder of the 89 off, then filled with Sunoco 87 (rare), I'm down to a half a tank so far with no obvious ping/tapping, though i thought i may have heard it a few times (could just be me). My girl also claims she heard a rattle at one point heading up the hill, with the music off and windows down. I'm hoping it's not coming back, but this is how it actually started... Nice barely audible tapping, to loud enough to hear through the firewall with the windows up, AC on and music playing...

I'll give it a week and let ya'll know

Find some 92 octane and fill the whole tank. The knocking is somewhat the same knocking involved with forced induction engine cars. Gas can ignite because of pressure-not just because of spark. Since 87 octane doesnt withstand as much pressure before igniting on it's own as 92 octane, it can ignite mid-piston stroke which sounds a ping or knock. I brought the car to the shop 6 times. I had to drive back home 550 miles for the guy to tell me to flush the system with 92 octane. Problem is gone and has been gone for 4-5 months. Unless the mechanic himself is familiar with this problem-he can not solve it just by driving it. The ping only occurs in gear and with a load (like 2nd gear up hill is really bad). The jackass here in tally thought it was the hood bumpers rattling. Last time I trust a guy named Cletus.

So dont these cars after '99 have knock sensors? Then why do the engines still ping and pong? Mine does too and its making me mad. I have an '01 Protege ES 2.0. It does it when its hot out and when I step on it hard. I will try the Seafoam cleaner thru the engine thru the brake booster hose and also put some cleaners in the gas tank and if that doesnt help then i'll check the plugs and maybe get cooler ones... might replace fuel filter too... i'm running outa ideas, i definitely dont wanna start using premium gas cuz these cars arent supposed to use that, they aren't "luxury" cars that have hi-compression engines. :) Mazda just builds cheap engines, especially since they joined with FORD. :( Anyways enough complaining, sorry.

Been through it..
 

I've gone through all that as well. The only difference was made by Super or Premium gas. The car's still running, only now with 118k mi and a ton of other problems she was bound to get at this point... Need new rotors, engine mounts are dead, clutch sticks/chatters/clicks and squeaks, front suspension rattles, radiator fan won't engage (yes its been replaced), AC flickers on #2 fan speed....allows you to shift into reverse from 5th!

but... I won't give her up :)

(shoot me)

if your under warranty its in your dealers best interest to do the full inspection and figure out what the problem is.

There could be a fault in there somewhere, could be ECU, could be plug, could be debri causing flashpoint pre ignition could be anything.

if your running stock plugs and its not too old, inspect them, but i doubt that its that. Contrary to some thoughts on plug design or configuration, they usually are not the cause of faults. especially if it is cleared up when you change to a higher grade of fuel.

do you guys realize you revived a 4 year old thread ???

At least it shows that people are using the search button ...

long live stupid topics lol

I couldn't believe I got an email notifying me about it! despite, this car's been fully inspected multiple times with no dealer (4) being able find the problem. I ended up invoking the lemon law to offset my disgust.

Omron's blatently disrespectful... since when are valid problems deemed stupid? Shoot, let's shut down the board! So sorry to have insulted teh intelarjance sir.
:FU2:

A thread no matter the age is ALWAYS still a good thread if it still pertains to a known problem.
I am having a similar problem with my 99 progege 1.8L, but its at idle and in drive at idle. The engine makes a loudish sound almost like the pistons are going too high up and touching the casing or like a car sounds when it almost stalls except its still going normal speed.
Gas and cleaning makes no difference. My car idles much smoother and my acceleration is much improved after all the cleaning (will go egr valve tonight), but I still have that knocking.
When I apply over 1000rpms, it instantly goes away and my car purs like a kitten. Any ideas?

how bout we watch the language...it wont be tolerated here

Mazda 3 2007 2.3
 

I have a Mazda 3 2007 2.3 I'm hearing a rattle noise from my engine but goes away when not idling. Any ideas?