So I get a CEL last week on my '09 R3 and right around the same time I start noticing a weird sound from under the car during heavy acceleration and quick stops; kind of sounds like pebbles in the exhaust pipe (not quite 6,000 miles on the car). I take it to the dealer and sure enough, the catalytic converter's bad. They overnight the part and replace it.

Now, I got a call from the dealer and instead of telling me to come get the car, they ask if they can keep the car another couple of days so a "technician from Mazda" can fly in and look at it because it's so unusual that the cat puke so soon.

Anyone have anything like that happen? I'm not at all concerned about them finding something I did wrong. The car is impeccably maintained. I'm just curious if anyone else has experienced this.

Thought? Comments?

 

Something else is likely very wrong to kill a cat so quickly...

Did you notice anything weird? Did you buy it new?

 

Bought the car new in March of this year. I've noticed absolutely nothing unusual to this point. Car's been running extremely well.

I broke it in using Racing Beat's suggested method, I only burn 93 octane premium fuel and I've changed the oil a couple of times with Castrol GTX 5W-20. My average combined mileage has been around 17mpg (air conditioning has been on constantly lately) and ever since I hit 3000 miles, it sees red line a couple of times a week.

 

Sometimes cats do just fail. This happened to my 1997 Ford Contour V6. The material inside just fell apart for no good reason.

I wouldn't get too worried about it. I think it's cool that Mazda sends out tech in cases like these. Shows they genuinely do car about continual improvement and fixing issues.

 

/\ Agree, Sounds like you just got a bad cat..

 

re : Catalytic Converters

My cusin owned a pacesetter catback, Does anyone know if a OEM catalytic converter will fit it.

 

my cat died in 6k miles. replaced one now its been good so far.
I think cuz the cars been sitting on the lot and test driven many times there was a lot gas inside it causing it to fail prematurely.

 

I have an '09 GT

My cat also died around 6k miles. I started noticing that the car did not want to rev and the motor felt very weak under anything more than light acceleration. I called the dealership, they told me that it was in my head and that they wouldn't look at it without a CEL. It came on about a week later and I brought it in (that will show them :-) ).

I had discussed this with some people on these boards and they thought it might be the cat, so I told the dealer. He was obviously skeptical, but it ended up being a clogged cat. It was replaced under warranty. I have ~22k miles now and everything's working perfectly.

 

Hi,
Interesting, on a side note...
Australian Spec series 2's have a slightly different cat (Part Number wise), I think ours are "slightly cheaper" as they do not have to last by "law" as long as US ones..well that is my theory....O2 sensors , gaskets, etc are the same.

Anyway, I have close to 19K (Miles) and considering I pre-mix (Amsoil Saber pro) from day one (4 ozs), my CAT is still holding up after 2 years.

But GOOD on you for persisting with your Dealer..

 

From the US over here.

I don't run any premix. As I understand it, the s2 is a lot better about getting oil to the rotors so it would be unnecessary.

Honestly, with the exception of them fighting me over the phone I've had a really good experience with this dealership. They work fast and are great in person. Just had that one bad time on the phone :-)

 

Wow that's a premature demise of a cat. I have never heard of an instance of a cat failing in so few miles. Weird!