The problem the recall/flash was supposed to fix? Well..yesterday I drove for about 3hrs on the freeway. When I got to 'town' my car would barely move. Felt like it was missing HALF it's power, or as if the car was towing a boat. I'd have to give unusual amounts of throttle to get the RPMS to rise. Was horrible. After the car sat for hours (during a coilover install), I pulled, then re-installed the ROOM fuse, and board member dannobre had me do rapid-brake-pump reset thing. Car felt okay after.

I never had the problem prior to this most recent flash.

My car's going in on wednesday for a fuel pump - I'll update the tech about this problem, and keep the board advised if they find anything.

 

I spoke with my service provider today; I told him about the car's problem. His first words: "Want me to put a new engine in it??"

He said whenever I decide, he could do the replacement for me.

Thoughts? My car makes GOOD power - do I wanna risk getting a replacement?

 

What makes him think the engine is the problem? Sounds like a knee jerk reaction to me. It could be something as simple as a coil breaking down, it happens quite often. I would let them diagnose it if it happens again. If your engine is bad, it generally wont run perfectly fine all of a sudden.

 

If the coil is breaking down, why would it be running strong as hell now? I mean, around town it's fine. The 'after freeway no power' issue is what drove the engine replacement/recall program, if I recall.

 

I'd get the new fuel pump first and if it happens again get a new engine. It could just be a fuel pickup problem.

 

Funny you mention that - the fuel pump was replaced yesterday I'm going to try another long trip before I make the decision, I suppose.

 

Sounds like a very "fixable " problem . Don't get new engine until you exhaust all other possibilities.

 

"Exhaust all the problems" .. exactly! I'd have them check the exhaust itself to make sure you don't have a clogged CAT, which can drastically rob you of power and ability to rev or accelerate. Happened to me, no CELs or other diagnostic faults... until they took it down and looked in the pipe leading to the CAT.... so the new CAT made a world of difference.

 

but guys - a Plugged Cat is NOT going to change; I've had one. Today? driving to and from work? the car felt VERY good; was just after the long-continued 70mph+ freeway cruise where I saw the problem.

 

Fuel pump.. lots of presure at highway speeds less in town.

Bet that fixed your problem.

 

i dealt with this problem for 20k miles... premix fixed it (kept apex seals from drying out under cruise). then the flash that added oil under cruise came out.. but the damage was done...

my old motor ran fine with the premix.. the new one is silly good...

it is not a fuel pump problem. if it were they would be replacing fuel pumps under this recall...

GET THE MOTOR...

pm me if you have any other ?s.

beers

 

I have a feeling its the engine.

Tell them to check. Its going to take maybe an hour to find out.

 

I had the same problems in June: high temps, interatate speeds for 1hr +, low humidity. If I stepped on the throttle, large annoying sounds and the car would actually slow down. Was like that on and off for a week or so. Dealer unable to recreate. I was screaming bad cat; they checked it-fine. During the emission recall in Oct, all test reports came back normal. I bet if you have them test it, it'll come back fine. GET AN ENGINE--YOU'D FEEL BETTER. My dealer tried to get me a new one, but Mazda said no, run the tests.

 

04 w/MT; passed the recall fine.

The last two days I've put several hundred miles on it at highway speeds. Hitting a slight grade on while cruising at 75 saw the the car slow. Down shifted into 5th and nothing happened--barely kept up speed with my foot in it.

Today the typical drive back from Cleveland on the same grade--same loss of power. Interestingly, I did not notice this during the summer; as temps have dropped into the 40's, it's a regular occurance.

This is going to be a bi*ch to get the dealer to do anything since you have to be on the road for at least 45 minutes.

Swoopes, can you send the the details of premix--where you get it and all that?

 

Sounds like a bad CAT

 

still you dont know what you are talking about... let it go..

beers

 

when it happens you have to be able to go to the dealer for them to enjoy the pleasure....

i mean dont turn off the car... the premix covers the problem it does not fix it...

pm me if you need more info..

beers

 

took mine in for the same thing today. they are saying the "power loss" has to do with my aftermarket intake which is the K&N 2nd gen. i'm not really buying it b/c other people have had this problem and had aftermarket intakes. they are checking the emissions recall right now. hope to hear something on that by tomorrow. will keep you posted.

 

sounds like a good chance of an overheated ignition system to me

 

I'm thinking I'll have the motor replaced. Today on the way to work, the car was running very weird. As the tach would sweep into the power-band, it'd feel like the car would lose timing/power. Even from about 4-6K, the car would hesitate some, and generally not feel good. If the situations gets worse in the next week or so, I'll get the engine ASAP.

 

Called down to the dealer - he's going to order the engine. He said if I want any parts put on at the time, to just let him know, and he'll install for free.

:D

 

Time for a lightweight flywheel and a new clutch!!!!!!

 

I've got the MS FW - may sell it for a lighter unit.

:D

Should prolly go ahead w/ the cluch, as a precaution. Sux for our Xmas budget, though

 

damn Dmp, bummer you're having to go through this but better safe then sorry. Good luck with the engine, keep us posted.

 

thanks man. If the dealership has anything good in the 'used' department (read, C5, R32, S4, etc, I'd consider a trade-in...consider)