Yeah, all the other plugs were normal, so that is why I'm inclined to believe that it could be the coil for that plug.

 

Was it a leading or trailing plug?

My understanding from MM is only the Lead plugs fire when starting the car.

A poorly functioning lead plug would really ruin performance.

Keep us updated please.

 

It was the lower left plug. Can't remember if that is L or T. I'll clear this next week when I get the parts.

 

That's the Front Leading. Try not to drive very much until sorted out.

 

Absolutely correct, I have tested this myself

 

Agh, now I'm wooorriiied! I have driven it quite a lot after these problems started. Let's hope I haven't lost compression while doing it.

Oh well, I'll try to keep my driving to minimum until the plugs are here. That should be in three or four days.

 

Did you hear any knocking, pinging, and or car surging/ buckling? Any flashing CELs?

 

No knocking or pinging, just really hesitant, especially below about 3000 rpm and usually get a power surge around 3000 rpm. No CELs either.

 

that doesn't really sound like ignition issues IMO ... usually, if you do have an ignition issue, it gets worse as rpms go up ... clean your ssv man

 

I will if the plug and coil change won't fix it. The plug with black tips is something I gotta fix even if it wouldn't be causing this.

We will see soon and I'll report back ASAP.

 

Changing the plugs and that one coil fixed it!

Good times, but there's still the question: Why did this happen to new coils and plugs in only 3500 miles?

Frankly I am worried that this condition will come back unless I find some underlying reason for it.

 

Just keep and eye on it. First sign of a misfire then start looking into it much further. Truth be known.................some coils have been bad right out of the box and some are just weaker than others. I think it's the luck of the draw.

Relax....but watchful!

 

Yeah, I've had a patch of those coils too. It really is frustrating how little aftermarket support Mazda is giving to these cars.

 

buy better coils ... wow ... I was waaaay off on this one ... congrats

 

You might very well be right about me needing to clean the SSV though. The both leading plugs seemed to have suffered from rich conditions when I changed them. Black and gooey. If the SSV would be stuck open, couldn't the reduced air velocity make the car run rich? I'm still trying to troubleshoot the underlying cause.

In other news; my car started to suddenly spray fuel while in drive-thru at McDonald's. Nice misty fire-bomb-waiting-to-happen spray from somewhere underneath UIM. I'm thinking it is most likely a broken connector in the fuel line.
Any better ideas?

 

One fuel line had not aged well. It was all cracked up and had splits when bent. Replaced that, all is good. Funny how things tend to break in this car.