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Comments
With regards to the K&N filters, if you do a UOA (used oil analysis), they will tell you if a lot of outside contaminants are getting into the engine (everything shows up in the oil, it is like yer blood). On my brother's race car, we do a full tear down of the engines every year and there is no wear (no big chunks of rocks in the engine). On my race car, I just do UOA to make sure everything is kosher. In all my cars I have K&N filters (whether for a CAI or just a panel filter). If anything else, it is cheaper to use that as opposed to changing the regular paper filter every 30K. (There is no warranty expressed or implied by my post, just passing on my experience).
04 Blazing Copper 6s MTX
I have thought about bringing in my own oil, but thought they would do a "switcho-chango" on me. If I brought my own oil in there, would they actually use it, or fake it and take it home for their own ride?? LOL! I'll give it a shot though. How about those engine oil treatments like Slick50? Are those worth it?
As for the dealer I would go to, probably Gunther Mazda off 441, where I bought it.
04 BlackIce 6s
"The info. on Autozone sounds like a good deal.Is it better to use jack stands or ramps? Also are there any special wrenches or procedures that are needed on the 6s to change the oil."
Go with ramps, specifically Blitz Rhino Ramps. I also recommend their drain pans. No special tools needed; just make sure you use a 15mm wrench for the drain bolt.
Be forewarned that your dealer or whatever shop that changed your oil last probably tightened the bolt and the filter beyond belief. I had to get a filter cover (a metal cover that slips over the filter and allows you to insert a socket wrench) to get the filter off of mine, and I had to take it back to the dealer to have them loosen the drain bolt.
Mobil 0W-20 and a K/N filter are a great combo, but if you want to save some money the stock Motorcraft 5W-20 and FL 820S filter are both excellent, too.
As for the tools, I can't agree with chronob more! I just did my first oil change yesterday and it was a female dog to get that filter off! I was glad to see the they didn't torque the living crap out of the bolt however. The washer is rubber (the first I have seen on cars that I have worked on) so it is pretty fragile.
I have access to a lift for free so that is how I do all my work on my cars. Ramps are by far the easiest to use (don't have to worry about jack points etc).
Again, you should really view this as an experience where you are learning and appreciating your vehicle. Y'all should see how awesome the rear suspension is! And why this poor engine only makes 220hp with all the cats (ODB II at work) and the bends in the exhaust (yuck!).
tjkwest, did the dealer fix it? What did they do to fix it?
I saw a set of Kevlar-ceramic fronts for the 6 on ebay, made by Apex. I think the initial bid was around 90.00.
Any info would be appreciated.
Hybrid Vehicles Chat Room
Immediately following at 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET, we keep the chat party going with the Mazda Mania chat.
Mazda Mania Chat Room
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Also, anyone know where the AMB temp and interior temp sensors are located? Here in the HOT NC summer, the A/C runs max for a long time, even though the car feels plenty cool to me. I have to either turn off AUTO mode, or run the inside temp up to ~82-84 to get it to quit running the fan so high. It does cool the car quickly! just wondering about this AUTO feature...
Thanks in advance.
-nismo
I bought this car in April, and since 6/8 it has been in the shop for a total of 22 days. Just after 3000 mi the check engine light came on and the car would momentarly faulter when I was just starting out in first gear. The Mazda service rep replaced the runner valve (said it had been recalled, is this true?) and said I was good to go. The car has been back to them twice, and they now said they need to replace the wiring harness. Do they need to tear into the car in order to do this? I dont even want this car anymore, but it hasnot yet reached Lemon status under state law. Several times the service rep said he had the prob pegged, only to call me back and tell me the problem reoccered. The service mgr said only a district manager could OK a new car. Im pretty disgusted right now. Any help would be appreiciated.
I've never heard of a recall on that, but I have a 2003. Haven't had a check engine light either with almost 12,000 miles (knock on wood).
The end result was, I decided having the dry air was worth the extra gas, so I let it do it's auto thing again.
In reference to the sensors, the manual lists two sensors. One's on top of the dash in the front left corner, and I think it tries to tell how much sun heat it's dealing with. Another one is just down and right from the steering column, which I've seen in other cars, as well. I think it gets the actual temperature reading.
Hot 6
So yes the trattle is caused by the blower motor!
Let me see 4 recalls, 2 rattles, 4 blower motors, squeaky brakes and a fan that stays on when the engine is turned off. If Mazda keeps this up their reputation is going to go to the gutter!
Jason.
Whenever I come to a stop, even a gentle one, I can hear the gas in the gas tank (at least thats what I hope it is) swushing around, and it is rather annoying.
The second thing is the very rough downshift from 4th to 3rd gear. The car jerks and the transition is easily noticable. Has anyone else had these problems?
I have not noticed the gas noise (I have a 6sAT sedan). I DO have a problem with very rough downshifts, it jerks quite a bit! 4->3 and 3->2 are both pretty rough, depending on how hard I am braking. I have my car at the shop today, they are supposed to be addressing this issue (among a couple of others, including cold-stall starts). My prior postings lead me to believe this can be resolved with a PCM update for the transmission. I'll let you know what the dealer says and if it's fixed soon.
Did this solve your sulphur smell problem for good? I just noticed this smell in the past couple of weeks on my M6sAT (2500 miles). The dealer recommended that I switch from Shell to a different brand for a couple of weeks and if that doesn't solve it they would change the catalytic converter. Did you notice any difference in gas brands or were they all bad for you?
ALSO, the dealer called and said my service was done, they claimed:
1) There is no update for the cold-stall issue, but Mazda is "investigating it".
2) There is "no problem" with the hard downshifts. I'm VERY dissappointed in this; it is VERY noticable AND repeatable. Anyone else have experience with this?
RICH, do you know of any 6s-AT PCM updates that might help these issues? - thanks...
This applies to cars built before Feb 11, 2004.
You have good hearing. It's your back-up gauge letting you know that indeed their is a full tank of fuel onboard! No sound-deadening material will completely eliminate this phenomenon. Most fuel-tanks are already factory under-coated to deaden road-noise and your issue.
Hope this helps
MARTIN
No special break-in is necessary, but a few precautions in the first 1,000 km (600 miles) may add to the performance, economy, and life of your Mazda.
• Don’t race the engine.
• Don’t maintain one constant speed for long.
• Don’t drive constantly at full-throttle or high engine rpm for extended periods of time.
• Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
• Avoid full-throttle starts.
Seems pretty standard these days. Our Escape has the same guielines in it's manual but they want you to follow them for 1000 miles in that one.
Issued 7/15/04
part numbers ..two of each.
GMY0-34-081
GMY1-34-081
Is this the TSB you were referring to? When I brought my M6 in for its last servicing, I was advised that this is "normal". I didn't think it was (especially since it didn't make that noise for the 1st year I owned the car), and I've been finding it quite annoying.
NOTE: This is a NEW time slot for this week!
Hybrid Vehicles Chat Room
Immediately following at 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET, we keep the chat party going with the Mazda Mania chat.
Mazda Mania Chat Room
The Town Hall chats are a great place to take these message board topics LIVE. Hope to see you there this week!
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
Anyone else?