Agent008

Any thoughts on what might be the problem before I go to the dealer to see what they have to say.

Symptoms:

After running for about 30-45min of highway (some stop-and-go, some @ 120kph) I noticed a major loss of power. It had a hard time getting over 3500RPM in 6th. I let the car sit for 30min before heading home, but the problem persisted. There was an odd noise which I would have a difficult time to describe (so I won't bother) when I got up into the 5000RPM range.

My first thought was "plugged cat", but after I let the car sit over night I give it another run. After it warmed up I hit 8500RPM with no problems. I didn't go for a long run, just 10min or so, but it seems to be back to normal.

Car history:
2004 GT (Canadian), all recalls done, latest flash (I think), 35k miles on the car, stock cat and muffler.

Any thoughts?

Razz1

Still could be a bad cat.

Or maybe its symptoms of a bad engine.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

nope.

motor.. dry apex seals.. after the engine cools all it good. till the next heat soak..

beers

rotaryPilot

So in this case you need new motor?

Agent008

Just need a new oil pump or something like that?

jobe2433

This was the same thing that happend to me on a road trip. Now my car is in the shop getting a new engine.

mikesrx

Just dropped my 05/automatic off at dealer for second time in four days. My car is doing the exact same thing first time they replaced a coil. Obviously that didnt solve the problem. Outside temp is definately issue car runs awesome in morning now its 92 degrees out and it runs like 72 plymouth fury. Love the car and going to stick it out but im pushing for an engine replacement. Does anyone know if this is or has been an issue in the 07's or 08's?

swoope

iTrader: (5)

if you have the recall done and the latest flash, likely yes..

or you could premix and it goes away..

beers

irq5

I had what sounds like a similar problem with mine - late '03 6MT with about 90000km (About 56000 miles) on the clock. Intermittent problem of major power loss (sometimes stalling) after about 30 minutes of driving.

I also had a strange noise, but I knew exactly what the noise was - it was the fuel pump struggling to pump fuel. Was the noise you heard coming from the back seat area? If so, it could be the pump as well.

I took it passed the dealership and told them about the noise and described the power loss and they had it for over a week - couldn't find the problem (apparently). They gave me the car back after cleaning the fuel lines - whatever... And funnilly enough, the same problem still happened. So I took it back and convinced them to check the pump - and sure enough the pump was dead. They replaced the pump and problems are gone.

mikesrx

two days and no word from the dealer.....

Agent008

I don't get it.. If the car runs fine for the first 30min or more then the motor can't be the problem.. It's up to full temperature after 10min or less. Also, if premixing fixes the problem then it must be a problem with the oil injecting system. Seems like sound logic to me, what am I missing?

PS.. Just noticed that I should have posted this thread in the "Issues & Problems" sub forum... Sorry, my bad!

Agent008

Interesting... Why was the fuel pump working for the first 30min? How did the dealer know the fuel pump was bad when they inspected it?

I am not sure where the sound if coming from.. I don't really hear it when the windows are up.

I'll have to get my dealer to take a look at the fuel pump as well.

mikesrx

Congratulations. I'm the new owner of a engine going in my 05. Just stopped by dealer and Mazda authorized a replacement old engine floor new engine in crate. Problem is Apex Seals fail when it is hot. Caused by a fault in the rotor edge causing it to lose compression. so go through the process i assure you to fix this problem you get a new crate.

Agent008

Geez, I hope I don't have this problem, I am out of warranty.

irq5

Not sure - They said that it was to do with HEAT and the fact that there's a lot of heat generated at the back of the car. The built in filter was also really dirty apparently...

I should be getting the car back today - also had the clutch replaced.

I'll let you know how it goes, and try get some details out of them as to how they diagnosed it to be the pump in the first place - Other than me virtually telling them that I think it's what was causing the problem

mikesrx

My dealer went through the processes, replaced a coil first time in, replaced plugs second time in, then replaced engine. Knowing this has been an issue with the rotary im glad im getting a knew one now. I know it acted the worse when it was hot out at least above 90 and it was stop and go driving, I think that is why the cars out west has been such an issue.

Morgan

yup. Mine did that too. It did that for a few months and "nothing was wrong" until a few weeks ago when it decided it was just going to compeltely die in the middle of a busy road. I got it started about 5 min later and to the dealership. I drove a focus for 2 and a half weeks while I waited for my new motor to be replaced. They said that 3 out of 6 of the "chambers" (for lack of a better term) were dead...soo, with 700 miles left on my warent. i got a new motor.

Asick

I thinhk i getting this problem rite now.... If i drive on regulars, not going over 3 or 4 RPM its all good, but if i go sport about 5-6 rpm for bout 5-10 min. thats it, i cant stert my engine 4 a 5-10 min. and after it i have a big loss of power, but and dont hear any noise actually...

swoope

iTrader: (5)

yes it can be the problem. premixing masks the problem if the damage is done...

and yes you are missing a lot..

beers

irq5

So, I finally got the car back! After nearly 3 weeks. How long could it possibly take to change shocks, clutch and fuel pump...

Anyway. She driving like a dream. I don't even remember her being this good when I first bought the car, so I'm smiling. The tech who was dealing with the car wasn't there when I picked her up, so I didn't get a chance to find out exactly what was wrong with the pump. He did say originally that the filter in the pump was REALLY dirty as well which could have caused some of the problems.

Either way, may car only has 8000km (5000 miles) of maintenance plan left, so I'm glad that all these things are being replaced - In the past year I've had the OMP, shocks, clutch and fuel pump replaced under the maintenance plan, so I've almost got a new car

turbine

Can a motor pass hot compression check and have dry seals?

swoope

iTrader: (5)

not likely,

but the test they do does not always catch it...

you need to ride with a tech while the problem is going on..

beers

jinani4eva

Ok.. now I think I have this problem and I'm out of warranty.
How much will it cost me to replace the motor or whatever to get 8 running?
Had anybody received quote for this? I just want to know before I go to service.. no more surprise..

Agent008

So what is the damage that premixing is masking? Since I am out of warranty I guess I could continue to premix rather then pay for a new engine? or will this problem get worse even with premixing?

I just ran through my 1st tank with premix. Since I had the problem 3 weeks ago I have had no recurrences of the power loss. I went for a longish (1.5 hr) drive and it had good power throughout the run. It was a hot day too (28 degrees celsius).

swoope

iTrader: (5)

it is making up for not enough oil being injected.. the problem did not get worse for me..

with my new engine i continue to premix.. cheap and safe insurance..


beers