CEL on 2004 Mazda 3 sedan
 

Hi guys,

I am a new poster here, I hope I don't break any rules.

My Mazda 3 has 79 k miles on it. Yesterday the check engine light came on. I took it to the dealer, and he gave me some codes which I was not quick enough to write down, but he basically told me that my thermostat is not functioning properly, so he needs to do a coolant flush and replace the thermostat, for which he wanted to charge me 500 dollars (495 to be exact).

I'm a student, so 500 dollars for me is pretty high. I want to know if there is a dollar amount that pops up in your head when someone tells you they need the thermostat replaced?

Thanks!

It's really not THAT hard of a job, and if you do it yourself, you'll know its done right AND save 400+ bucks. :)

Check it:
http://www.mazda3forums.com/showthread.php?t=392043

Ok. I guess I should ask my friend to lend me his garage for some time so that I can fix it.

I need to buy the thermostat, and forum consensus is to not buy the autozone ones. Someone linked the following website

http://onlinemazdaparts.com



So I searched it, and I found:

thermostat unit W/O MAZDASPEED for 47.06 $.

I'm hoping that is what I need. I don't need the thermostat housing right?

No you do not, and yes, OEM will definitely fit, work and not leak.

I replaced it today. Took me four hours because people had really messed up the bolts and what not that kept the splash guard in place. Also, working with the clamps on the hoses was really really hard. There must be an easier way to work with those clamps.

Anyway, the CEL went away, but I'm not sure if it was the gas tank cap I replaced or the thermostat. The old thermostat doesn't look bad to me.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink