What are people's experiences with having the oil dipstick ventilation kit TSB done? Like most others, I find the cappucino froth on the dipstick. It's no big deal, but, all else being equal, I would rather not have it.

The dealer is willing to do the vent kit installation, but is not enthusiastic about it. I could tell they were looking forward to this about as much as having a colonoscopy, and painted a picture of this being a big, hard job (hand waving, tales of having to remove the intake and vacume manifolds, about how it would take a couple of days to do the job... radiation damage, sterility, and blindness as possible side effects, etc.).

So, for anyone that has had this done, was it a big deal to do? Did it actually solve the froth problem? Is it worth doing?

Thanks!

 

I've been wondering the same thing. Good question.

Anyone?

 

It is worth doing. It's, in essence, a dealer-installed catch can.


...I <3 free catch cans. No more froth, or if there is some, it's very little.

 

I jsut had mine done a few weeks ago...I never experienced the froth before though, so I didn't notice any difference!

 

Right, but is there any harmful effects as far as the engine is concerned? or is just the annoyance?

 

Oh no, no, having the catch can will HELP the engine. Sludge = bad flow and cooling. With the catch can, for the most part, its smooth and consistent, as it should be.


However, it's not perfect. In certain weather conditions, you will still get some sludge. I would still go ahead and do the DIY catch can, too

 

in my experience with dealers, it's just one more thing that doesn't need to be performed that you'd putting in their hands voluntarily.

If they mess it up and it causes any other annoying problems, or they forget to put some part (back) together correctly, it's you that'll feel the pain, not them.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Ever since that friggin emissions TSB, it's made a believer out of me. I'll never voluntarily let them do another thing to my car unless its absolutely needed. Not even changing the oil.

They even came out with a subsequential TSB after the original one stating that a dealer is SUPPOSED to tell you beforehand that this is more of a glossy vinear "feel-good" on the surface jobs. In essance, it doesn't do a thing for the car or engine's functionality, it simply WIPES the frothy looking oil off you stick when you pull it out. Rather you like it or not, before you pull the dipstick out, it's still on it.

To me, that's far from a good reason to let a dealer have their way with your car for an afternoon. Guess i've just seen first hand how many cars can be treated when your not around.

 

I have been thinking about this one myself. It is mostly a nuisance having to wipe off sludge 3 or 4 times before I can get a good oil reading. The TSB does sound like a pain in the *** for such a small matter. Bah, I don't know, I'll mention it next time I'm in. Maybe.

 

Living in WI it gets damn cold and that build up was annoying so I had the dealer do the TSB. Took them 2 hours. It's not that complicated. It spolved the problem 100% no frothy stuff what so ever. Had it for the last 3K and no issues.

 

I had it done recently. Last time i checked the oil there was no froth, but it may have just not been cold enough out. They did in in an afternoon.

 

I wouldn't waste my money or time personally. I haven't had it done but the "froth" has nothing to do with harming performance. I wouldn't think it would restrict flow becuase its a froth not like a buildup it foamy. Foam doesn't weigh much. I say get it done if you're really concerned but if not the foam doesn't hurt anything.

 

I had it done. No more froth. Much easier to read oil level.

 

Are any of you THINKING before putting down these words?!

FOAM equals AIR equal BAD COOLING PROPERTIES, or lack thereof!

You can not seriously tell me you think this is a "feel good" TSB when you can personally look at your dipstick, after pulling and cleaning it multiple times, and all you are finding is foam?!

Oil is not supposed to turn into foam, or froth, etc. And neither is coolant. Hence why under-driving the water pump is such a popular modification to high-RPM cars. Air in your fluids is NOT GOOD. Not good in oil, coolant, brake fluid..

Mazda puts in the TSB that it does not harm engine performance. Do you believe absolutely everything Mazda says?

My local dealership told me my squealing throw-out bearing was completely normal. They also went on to tell me that my inability to get in and out of gear when the car is cold was normal. Guess what - it's not! Excuses are made to get out of doing work, and therefor get out of spending money on an issue that in the end they would probably pin on you (if you ever had any problems) for not changing your oil enough.

 

what years is this tsb on? I havent noticed any foaming on mine.

 

I had it done on mine because it had heavy duty froth. The fix cleared up the dipstick. The only thing I notice is that the car is ever so slightly harder to start. It used to start instantly, now it instantly plus one-half second. Mileage is the same and I didn't notice any other changes.

 

This has nothing to do with starting. I recommend recalibrating your head-ECU.

 

They did the vent kit, no more white stuff

 

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...50-06-1664.pdf

read the description. sounds a whole lot like a "feel good" TSB to me.

And for another thing, Mazda NA whom holds the final say with TSB's being posted doesn't post ANOTHER TSB on the same subject to simply get out of it. They're simply stating the obvious so that owners will understand that it really isn't necessary unless it really bothers you THAT much to wipe the stick an extra time. Which ironcally so, you're always supposed to do when you pull the dipstick out with anycar. Although i would imagine it went without saying, that gets you a more accurate reading.

 

Yes. A description that you have now read, and are making the decision not to have it performed, as it sounds like a "feel good" TSB. Thus saving Mazda money. See where I'm going with this? Open your eyes.

So, oil cools well even when there are large quantities of foam in it? No, it does not only come out on the first pull - if you clean it off, stick it back in, pull out, clean off, repeat (I did mine over 10 times) you get nothing but foam each and every time. It's not a one time thing. I could not get a reading on my dipstick at ALL, it was ALL foam.

 

On years after '05 the RX-8s come with this already done.

On my list to do items.

 

It's not "all foam", you're getting yourself in a panic again.

The dipstick is cooler, and the condensation collects there, and makes it look like ice-cream. The fact that people can get an oil reading after they clean off the foam (foam, not sludge) means it is just the dipstick hole that's affected.

I realise you say you never got oil, the whole thing was full of foam - but I don't think your "head-ECU" is functioning logically. If you want to make it into a giant Mazda conspiracy, I can't help that.

 

Yeah, i've had to clean it off once or twice but after that it's fine.

 

I have a 2004 MT, that I purchased used with 11,000 miles on the car last August.

I had this TSB done 2 days ago.
Like most of you I had heard that the foam did not impact engine performance.
I had this TSB done along with my 15,000 mile service (17,000 miles on the car).
I was told that my warranty covered the TSB (no charge to me)
The TSB and 15,000 mi service was completed in about 3 hours.

Now ... Think for a moment.
Would Mazda "pay" for this TSB if it was just an appearance issue.
My 2 cents is that it is "mostly" an appearance issue, with minor impact on performance.
I just don't think a manufacturer would "pay" for a repair that wasn't necessary.
Maybe that's a negative attitude, but it's probably correct in this case.

 

Call me naive, but. . .

Just maybe Mazda NA is a benevolent corporation that actually cares about the perceptions of the drivers of its flagship vehicle and is willing to spend a few bucks to keep them mollified about an issue that is really not of any consequence.

But then, I'm an owner (3 years and 80,000 miles worth) with no foam on the dipstick and a cordial reslationship with his dealer service.

P.S> I really, really, really miss my Baby. (RX-8, wife, grandbaby--take your pick). Halfway through this desert vacation thing. . . . .

 

I realize that not *all* of the oil has turned to foam. I'm saying that I could not get any trace of non-foam'd oil on my stick in over 10 pull/cleans worth. That is to say that there is quite a bit of foam in there, and it's not just on the stick one or two cleans worth. It's a lot.

It's not a Mazda conspiracy, I never said that, nor implied that. I'm saying its an issue that should be addressed - it is not just for looks.