Hard starting...What's my next step?
 

2004 6spd, 80k miles, I bought at 48k. Fairly regular maintenance, consistent oil use. Mileage has been a very consistent 20.5mpg.

Car has been fairly slow starting for at least a year, could've been since I owned it, I don't remember. Never really had an issue until recently. About 2 months ago I flooded it...badly. Since then I have had starting issues with the car. Threw an SSV code shortly before it flooded, but it went away a couple days after I got it deflooded, which I attribute to driving it hard enough to open the SSV on a regular basis now.

I have replaced plugs, wires and coils. Once the car is running it is wicked fast through the entire rev range. Still quicker than my buddies car by the same margin as when I bought it.

When left for a few days the car starts after a few cranks. If I rev to 4k and shutdown, the car will start after many cranks. If I do not rev before shutdown the car acts as if flooded. I have to hold the accelerator down to clear the chambers, stop, and then it will start after many cranks. When it cranks but will not fire, it tries to catch and seems to have compression. When cranking with my foot down it spins. Battery seems to be fine, I've had to do the deflooding procedure multiple times over with no discernible loss of cranking power.


I really hoped the new coils and wires were going to solve my problem, but they obviously haven't.

Can someone point me in the right direction as to what to check next. Starter? Fuel issue? Old software? Please don't say compression, it'll make me sad.

check compression before you do anything else. Most likely the issue... it is in my case.

*sigh* I know I should get the compression checked but I am worried about the result.

A little more info, the car idles great and the problem exists on both hot and cold starts.


Also, after a little more searching I think I'm going to have the starter tested. (Anything to avoid finding out that I have a dead engine...)

Testing and replacing everything but the engine will just make you waste money.
Start with a compression test, visual inspection of the catalytic converter and your maf\iat sensor (if you never cleaned it).
After you have your new engine... check the fuel pump, at 80k miles it may need to be replaced anyway. Same for injectors. Have them cleaned.

Of the stuff i mentioned the first 2 steps should be engine compression and catalytic converter. A strong engine starts just fine even with a crappy starter.

Dude you need to install the upgraded starter from Mazda

Cost me only 230 ... best upgrade EVER!

I've got an 05 and it made a huge difference.

Actually, I'd agree with the starter test. It's fairly cheap, and if he really is deflooding it that frequently, I'd bet the starter is just getting plain wore out.

I'd still recommend a compression test as well. "Scared" or "confident" of the compression test result won't change the actual compression in the engine, or the rate it fails. :)

Agreed the upgraded started didn't change my compression results.
But the engine started immediately now!

lol its like a brand new engine! Just add a few more lbs of beewwst

Unless you are outside the extended engine warranty period, there's nothing to be afraid of.

The longer you delay getting the compression checked, the more likely you are to pass that crucial date.

Go get it tested.

BC.

lol
Replace Compression with the word Prostate and re-read thread

:mdrmed:Made my morning...



Y'all have convinced me. The car is going in today for a compression test. Also a starter test. Fingers crossed for a cheap fix...


Aargh, this is like that moment in between when someone calls you and tells you a loved one is in the hospital, but before they tell you it was just gas and everything will be fine.

Make sure you get a copy of the results! Ask for it. Not just it past or failed.

So the results are in...

I'm getting a new motor. Thanks to everyone for convincing me to do the compression check. I don't have the actual results yet, but my wife works for the dealer group so I should have them eventually.

Now the impatient wait until the engine comes in and gets installed...

Dropped the car off last night, picking the car up this afternoon with a new engine. I can't complain about that.

According to the tech, my compression was as low as 3.3... to which the Mazda offical replied "compression doesn't get that low".

LOL Sweet
Congrats on the "new" ride