ana

I don't think changing the purge valve worked. It does seem to be idling a bit smoother, but it still feels like there's something wrong. I'm expecting the CEL to come back on. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

bob teatow

Still not quite right after 2 visits to the dealer? Can you describe the "feels like"?

If it is not running "good as new" - insist that one of their better mechanics go for a test drive with you. Those guys are often pressed for time and don't bother test driving every car that comes through the shop. But sometimes they simply MUST go out with the customer to see/hear/feel/smell the problem the customer is having.

I had just such an experience (with another car) "It's fixed", "No trouble found", etc, etc.

Finally insisted the mechanic get in the car and take a drive with me.
Within 2 minutes. "OH that!, I think I know how to fix that!".... problem solved. Well almost, had to special order some parts, but it was fixed a couple of weeks later, under the terms of the "bumper to bumper" warrantee.

mikeg

I brought my 5-door 3 into the dealer for the third time today after ANOTHER CEL. They replaced the Leak Detection Pump and the fuel cap. What is the Leak Detection Pump and what does it do?

bob teatow

MikeG, were there any symptoms like stalling or rough idling or ...
or just the Check Engine Light?

Seems like there is either a "secret" recall of those darned fuel caps, or it's just one of the easy, relatively cheap, suggested items associated with some error code, so dealers are just swapping them and crossing their fingers....

Such a simple part, probably used on many different vehicles - I'd guess that the fuel cap is a total red herring. But you should be sure to turn it until it clicks after gassing up, because if it doesn't make a nice seal, the computer probably will detect a fault and on comes the CELight...

bob teatow

Also, I'd guess any "leak detection" device pump or otherwise is going to be "fooled" by a loose fuel cap. So again, I'd be willing to bet your mechanice did not test the pump in question, just did a quick swap out and charged back Mazda for the parts and hours.
Some shops actually manage to make a profit on unnecessary warrantee replacements -- we all end up paying for that.

mnance

I had a 77 Ford Granada that had the gas cap recalled (among MANY other items).

mikeg

There were no problems besides the check engine light. It was in for a CEL a month ago and the same code apparently came up, except last time they did nothing but flash the computer. Apparently, this time they miraculously knew what it was, the leak detection pump and the gas cap, which I have always tightened and checked when I got the first CEL. I'm honetly assuming that they changed these 2 parts as a hope it would solve the problem, and I am expecting another CEL soon...after which I will demand a new car or refund under the Lemon Law as that will make 4 visits to the dealer for the same problem in 4 months of owning the car.

ana

I think Bob is absolutely right. The gas cap is a red herring. At least it was in my case, but they did say that there was a recall on it, so I don't think it's so secret. From my understanding, they aren't required to tell us about the service bulletins. I know with the last CEL, they also saw a code to adjust the temperature in the engine (I was quite clear exactly what this was) but I have noticed that my legs and feet aren't as warm as they had been. So far so good. I went in for an oil change this morning and Steve gave me a freebie. I have an extended warranty, so he said it was the least he could do for all the hassle. The rough idle that I was experiencing before they changed the purge valve is gone and the CEL hasn't come back on, but i still have my doubts that everything is fine. Time will tell I guess.

-A

DanielleMunich

I just bought my Mazda 3- 5 door two months ago. So far I've had to bring it in for stains on the moonroof cover and above the driver's window, passenger side foot area carpet coming out, brakes squeeling and ENGINE STALLING. The engine just started stalling yesterday 4 times, but with the second turn of the key it started, and it's idling rough. Tried to bring it in to my dealer today (Saturday) and they didn't have a Mazda specialist until Monday. Maybe I shouldn't have bought a new model and maybe I shouldn't have bought it 30 miles away from my house. I'm starting to wish I had bought a Honda Civic, at least that way I wouldn't have to bring my car in every week.

AaronD12

My Mazda 3 has been quite reliable up to this point, with the following little new-car issues:

• The tire-pressure monitoring system goes off a lot, because of a slow leak in the driver's front tire.

• There is a rattle in the driver's side door that I can quiet by pressing on the door panel.

• The vehicle is difficult to start unless I move the key to the ON setting, wait a few seconds for the fuel pump to put some gas in the cylinders, then start the car. (Is this normal?)

• Shifts in manual mode in the automatic transmission are rather rough, especially when having the system downshift at a red light from 2nd to 1st (not me manually downshifting).

Other than that, the car has been great!

-Aaron-

bob teatow

Danielle,
Of course a new car should be "perfect", but the world ain't perfect. For cosmetic and noise problems - I'd suggest you let a few pile up, make a list and try to get them all resolved in one trip to the dealer. Was this "stains" thing due to a leak, or something you just noticed, or what? Depending on many factors, even a perfectly functioning brake system can make some noise. It's just the nature of rubbing two parts together, like chalk on a blackboard.

The stalling and rough idling though seem like "real" problems and can even be dangerous.
Is this an automatic or manual tranny? Does it stall even after a brief warm-up? What's your weather been like lately and what altitude do you drive at (sic), and what gasoline do you buy - it can really make a difference. Any reputable gas station should be okay - but try changing gas stations - just in case.

Also, start bringing your car to the nearest Mazda service/dealer. If you have a problem, try to resolve it and ask to speak to the service manager and the actual mechanic who will be working on your car. If no good, try the next nearest Mazda shop.

Mike vs Ana and Danielle, seems Mike could be dealing with a different problem that may well have been resolved - he never experienced stalling/rough idling.

Good luck all, and let us know how you make out and if you learn about any other recalls or common defects.

thanks
bob

wormflipperIV

Alright...I've been looking all over the board and I cannot remember for the life of me where I saw this thread but I seem to remember someone saying something about a high-pitched whine when they're running 65+ mph. And I seem to remember someone saying something about gear synchros as being the cause of the problem. Any ideas anyone?

I seem to have the same problem...I think. I can barely hear it - I usually have to have the radio off but if I'm going 35+ mph, whenever I'm on the accelerator, I can hear this soft high-pitched whine. The pitch gets higher (not louder) when go faster but as I said, only when I'm on the accelerator. It almost seems like it's coming from the tweeter on the driver's side door but I'm not sure. I don't really want to stick my head by it as I'm driving.

Any hints, ideas, suggestions would be helpful...thanks in advance.

bob teatow

Worm,
Is this a manual or auto tranny? Hatch or sedan, which engine, which wheel/tire pkg?

On my 5 spd hatch 2.3L I routinely cruise 60-70 with no whine. Just some air noise, particularly with the moon roof tilted, of course.

DanielleMunich

I took my car in to my dealer. They wouldn't let me drop it off by simply saying "you'll have to come back next week or the 16th" even though I have a extended warranty and should have been given a loaner. I asked them "how the heck am I supposed to come in on a selected date in the future when I don't know if my car will start that day? that's why I'm bringing it here now."
You know what, I'm a very clean person, I like appearance and I like justice. I don't spend every single cent that I make a week on this car so that it can give me this crap. I take it to Shell. Our weather is about 60 degrees, we live in Washington. I'm not trying to be pissed off at any thing any one replied to about my last post, I'm just generally pissed. Hasn't any one noticed now how many different models Mazda has put out in the last 5-10 years? None of them have stuck around.
And there is no reason whatsoever that your brand new Mazda should have trouble starting. The only reason that people who work for Mazda give you is "there's all kinds of little bugs that need to be worked out" Yeah, one a week.

wormflipperIV

sorry...I guess I should've give a little more description.

My Mazda 3 is a 2.0L sedan with a manual transmission. The whine happens, I suppose, in 4th or 5th gear. I know I've had friends who've had "whines" happen through their speakers but as I said in my previous post, I'm not sure whether it is through the speakers or not. I can only hear it, of course, when the radio is turned off and the windows are up...it's that subtle.