extreme power loss, flashing cel, muted exhaust note
 

I'm at 52K miles, car was idling for about 5min, stalled. Upon startup, got a flashing cel, extreme power loss, muted exhaust tone, sounds almost like a hole in the muffler, but not loud, actually quieter then normal. Also noted an odd burning smell, not oil, not antifreeze, not gas. Smelled like burning insulation.

Next day, started the car and it ran normally, went for a 10minute drive with no drama. Power level normal.

The following day, took car out, after about 5minutes the power loss/flashing cel, muted exhaust tone came back. Drove it back home, started smoking - could not pinpoint where the smoke was coming from, somewhere down low, near the rear of the engine compartment is the best I could tell without a lift.

The car can rev, idles roughly, but has low power. I'm praying it is the cat, but I'm deferring to the experts on the forum to give me some hints. I added premix and will wait for it to cool overnight before trying it out. I'm hoping it isn't blown apex seals. The car was checked out at 48K and had no compression loss...

Thanks for any hints,

A

Sounds like your meow is dead to me.

I'm hoping it is the cat or an ignition coil.
I found that my Nokia N800 with carman software can read OBDII codes, my question is where does it plug into??? Is there a usb port on the 8?

I'm fairly certain the port is driver side next to your left leg, near the fuses in the cabin?
(off the top of my head)

(and it's not USB)

Thanks for the location, I'm looking at the OBD-II to USB converters on ebay.

Have you looked under the car during/after this happens?
If you see a large object on your exhaust glowing RED. I'd say a bad Cat.
Symptoms sound like it.

nmarz77 said that also in the second post.

Me OW OW as in ouch!

Covered under warranty.

Is the cat warranty longer then the drivetrain (I'm over 50K).

federal emissions warranty is 8yr /80,000 miles

Thanks RXjaye, I'll call Mazda tomorrow.

recall 4206. you warraty is now 5 / 60.

if you have not had the recall done do it.. btw. not a cat. it is the engine.

where are you in fla usa??? pm me if you need.


beers :beer:

New engine club..Noooooooo! 5/60? I don't know why I thought it was 5/50....old age/bad memory.
I'm calling Mazda today.

I'll post the results asap.

Thanks to all,

A

I Just Started Having The Same Problem I Am At 72k And I Not Think Bad Cat My Cel Said Mis Fire But Gets Worse Everyday What Should I Do???

My car is at the dealer, awaiting a diagnoses.
Militaryman, my car was not what I'd call driveable, I was able to make it home but the cabin smelled like something was burning - a strong odor!

I'll post as soon as I hear something - on the positive side, great bike weather ; )

My car is at the dealer, awaiting a diagnoses.
Militaryman, my car was not what I'd call driveable, I was able to make it home but the cabin smelled like something was burning - a strong odor!
Swoop I'm in Sarasota/North Port.

I'll post as soon as I hear something - on the positive side, great bike weather ; )

Here's how this usually goes; coils go bad, misfires stress the cat, cat goes bad.

ya know i just re read this.. i had lots of stuff open last night..

i got to go with cat now. but the exhaust note will change with the engine going.. under cruise.

btw, swiftnet. i might be riding in the naples area this weekend.. will let you know.

beers :beer:

Charles, I hope you are right. I still haven't heard anything from the Dealership.
Swoope, I live about 45 minutes north of Naples, but I seriously doubt I'll have my car this week..... : (

Cheer,

A

If its just coils and cat, you should be able to get your car back before the end of the week.

if its engine .... thats another story.

Swift, instead of waiting, look up the TSBs and become pro-active in the process. Otherwise the dealer will do what they can to just push your car out the door.

Push is the only way it is leaving the dealership, that is until my new engine arrives... There is oil on the plugs, but they also found a bad coil. They are replacing the coil, but they are not confident that it is the issue. They feel it is the engine, but before jumping the gun, they'll try the coil run it around for 30 minutes. Should know more tomorrow.
Charles, I've had all TSB's attended to up to 3 months ago. At 48K all checked out and the car was running exceptionally well until it just died. I really hope it is a coil, or the cat or both....

Did you hear anything this afternoon? Did you ever look at the CAT after diriving it, or when you took it to the dealer? Was it glowing red?

When I looked under the car, the cat was very hot, not glowing, but the heat distortion was affecting the view from the cat to about an inch above the ground - it was very hot, hotter then normal. I know the cat can become very hot because too much unburned fuel is entering it. The excess fuel could be from damaged apex seals, or a bad coil. I'm in the hurry up and wait position. I truly hope the problem is the coil or the cat. I'll post as soon as I hear anything.

I am having

What?