OK.. I know I can be a bit slow at times so I apologize if this is a stupid question, but if it's just insufficient oil injection, then it's a OMP or PCM problem right? Why would they replace engines for this problem?

 

no your ? is on target. the last flash is supposed to increase the oil flow.. not so much for me...

premix is your friend.

beers

 

I got a new engine due to this problem. A new PCM flash increases oil injection, but can't fix seals that have already been damaged. Thus the new engine.

 

Well new engine runs like a dream, better than ever, however now i have an oil leak. leaking from oil pan. took it back to dealer and because they are afraid the pan will get bent during removal thay are going to put a new oil pan on the new engine. HA HA i love this car

 

Umm Guys I think that you are all missing a very important point here. If the seals are going dry when the engine is hot, its most likely due to that crap 5w20 oil that has been specified. I have always used 10w30 oil in mine and have never had that problem and frequently drive the car hard. It sees at least 9,000 rpm once a day.
5w20 oil gets water thin at hot temperatures and does not provide anywhere near the oil film thickness that 10w30 does at the same temp.

 

how does the oil get to the seals???? then think epa.

beers

 

im starting to think i have this issue. ive had problems before and brought it into the dealership, basically on rare occasions when i would get into the throttle the engine wouldnt respond, and i could hear what i think people are describing as the marbles in a can. of course i got the we cant replicate it line. anyway, i put new pads on the last weekend and was heat cycling them and when id get on it there was a horrible, louder marbles in a can noise. the car wouldnt really lose power, but it was definitely not gaining it. pulled over, checked the bay and found nothing and couldnt replicate the problem. however, its come back a time or two, and then today the local 8s got together and did a trip through some twisties where we were getting on and off it and the problem resurfaced. im glad i brought that in (ive complained multiple times for the past 25k or so) b/c im out of warranty now but im going to fight since the problem obviously manifested itself in a lesser form and the dealership didnt do anything about it. anyone have advice on a) if im correct in expecting faulty seals and b) a good way to contact mazda about this, as local dealerships and the regional guy arent very helpful?

 

also, if its of any consequence as of about a month ago ill get a faint to strong oil smell periodically. if theres a leak its not making it to the ground though, as the newspaper ive had underneath is clean

 

Finally got my car looked at.. It's been a about 2 months since I had the problem.

Compression Test:

They said I got mid number because I have a weak battery and the old, slower, starter. The test results where 6.1/6.5. They didn't re-do the test after the new battery & starter were installed.

PCM:

I had the emissions recall done last summer which should have applied the new flash to inject more oil. Oddly enough, on this visit to the dealer they said they re-flashed the PCM for an "emissions recall". As far as I know there has been no new flash since last summers recall.

So I believe that they f'ed up and didn't apply the PCM when I had the recall done. I asked for the Flash version they installed but they did know. They did give be some paper that shows the flash file name of "SW-N3Z2ET000".. Anyone know if this flash is for the recall last summer?

Anyhow, for now I will continue to pre-mix with 4oz/tank.