Hey everybody,
Last week I reported that I was going to get my car back from the dealership after four months of agony. Well, that didn't happen. They found that there was a problem with the amount of power being produced by the engine. They said that the performance was just not where it should be. They looked at the fuel injectors and the catalytic converter, but those are fine. They can't figure out what is wrong, so, once again, I turn to you for help. I talked with one person on this site who is my friend here at Michigan State, and he said they probably did not connect the vacuum lines correctly. Could this be the case? Any other possibilities? Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

- Tyler

PS - Let me say this:
"Get your car back from them now"
Now that I have said it, you don't have to. The work being done now is under warrantee, and I don't have the money, with school and everything else, to pay for someone else to do it. I just need your help. Thanks

 

surely there is another maxda dealership in your state...if its a warrantee issue...just take it to a different dealer. these guys are baffoons.

so yes...it could be a number of things..vacuum lines...solonoids...it could be an actuator problem...

is it boosting? what is the boost pattern? DO YOU even have a boost guage in the car? we cant answer what the problem is with no information.

what are the exact symptoms?

go drive the car...record the boost pattern...ie 10 8 10 etc.. then come back and let us know.


jason

 

Yes, a boost pattern would tell us a lot. I mean, it could be a fuel, ignition, or boost problem, but it's probably boost related. They probably messed up the vacuum lines, but without any more info, it's impossible to say.

By the way, it's spelled 'warranty'

 

sorry.

And I don't have a boost gauge yet. I have only had the car for less than a year, and half of the time it has been at the dealership. I haven't had a chance to install or buy one.

There are no other Mazda dealerships in my area

Thanks for the help, anyway - it's discouraging to know that this probably won't be fixed soon

I can't drive the car - It's 100 miles away from me.

 

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear about all the trouble you're having. If you haven't done it already, you should definitely file a complaint with Mazda. It probably won't get your car fixed any faster, but maybe you can get some of your money back. Good luck with your situation. Hopefully you will get your car back soon.

 

They diagnosed the problem(s):
1 spark plug wire was bad
2 electrical wires were connected wrong
1 vacuum line was collapsed

They fixed these, and apparently it works great now. I am supposed to pick it up later today, but we'll see - I've heard that line many times before.

 

I would say, after you get it back.. take it to someone else to check it out.. There are likely other problems.. Also make sure you check the boost pattern.. It should go to 10 psi then back down to 8psi @ around 4.5K.. then back to 10psi and slowly drop off to 8psi by redline.


Good luck.

 

I really hope it's good this time. I remember reading about your first problem over christmas break... and you were going to have the car back in a week! Good luck.

 

Thanks guys - I hope everything is OK, too. I've been under so much stress over this whole thing. That car is like the only thing I have going good for me right now. I love it, and it really hurt me to have it gone for 4 1/2 months. I know it sounds corny or pathetic, but it really does mean that much to me.