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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
Or clarification of "promoting"
TB
But we're off-topic - please take any more comments to email. Thanks.
Steve, Host
TB
Steve, Host
Just don't make the hole too small because you will trip the Check Wallet Light. I think mine is at about 5/16ths or so. Search around here a bit, I tripped the light on my MPV with too small a hole.
TB
With the throttle hang fix in both my MPV and Contour
I never notice a throttle hang... mine's always wide open, so no problem!.
Steve, Host
TB
Is this true??????
"Gasoline for California-certified LEV
Your vehicle was certified to California's low emission vehicle (LEV) standards as indicated on the underhood tune up label. It is designed to optimize engine and emission performance with gasoline that meets the clean burning low-sulfur California gasoline specifications. If you live in any other state than California, your vehicle will operate on gasoline meeting Federal specifications. Gasoline sold outside California is permitted to have higher sulfur levels, which may affect the performance of your vehicle's catalytic converter and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor or smell. SUBARU recommends that you try a different brand of unleaded gasoline having a lower sulfur to determine if the problem is fuel related before returning your vehicle to an authorize dealer for service."
Perhaps this explains why our '02 MPV and others in California don't have the problem. If Subaru is pre-empting a problem with this statement, obviously the situation isn't just a Mazda concern.
John
Recently my wife noticed a strong gas smell inside the cabin. The smell is also noticeable outside near the engine compartment. Bringing into the dealer tomorrow to have it looked at.
Anyone have any ideas?
This is definitely not the sulfur/rotten egg smell others have been experiencing.
Thanks,
Mike
Steve, Host
One thing to note, if you have the temp gauge on your mirror, you should all know there is a bulletin about moving the sensor location under the vehicle. Seems the buffoon engineers locate the sensor near the engine area which gives inflated outdoor temp readings. I had mine moved before I took delivery and it is reading right on! The service writer was not aware of this issue, but the technicians were!! I found out about this on the MPV Club website. They have the diagram and everything needed to show the techs what to do.
Called around 1:30 and they said they couldn't "smell the smell" which is what I had feared. Service Manager said it might have something to do with the weather (it was pouring in New Jersey) and to bring it back when it was dry.
When I arrived to pick up the van, it was still in the shop. I walked in and found out the Shop Manager was working on it and he thought he knew what the problem was.
Just as rotarykid mentioned above, there were two different types of gaskets used in early MPV's, apparently two different colors, one leaked the other didn't.
So right now he is checking with Mazda to find out if my VIN falls in the target range for models with the leaking gasket. I'm actually hoping it does. At least then they know the cause and can fix it.
Otherwise everything else checked out - no gas or exhaust leaks.
Will update everyone when I find out more.
Thanks rotarykid for your response!
Mike
Hopefully this will cure the problem.
Somebody should set this guy straight on the Edmunds MPV thread called Toyota Sienna vs. MPV. He shot a salvo at the MPV calling it junk because of a FORD Tranny and bad FORD engine. Saying he went with a beloved Sienna for quality, etc.. Bad experience with his old WINDSTAR. NO COMPARISON!
First of all; Tranny is NOT a Ford from my recollection and the engine is the tank of the Ford fleet from my research. Time for the defense to rise!
TB
If the "Ferd" engine in my '01 was a-typical I would have been in the shop long before my present 38K miles. Come to think of it, I haven't taken it in for anything. Hate to waste a warranty like that!
That person just didn't get all the facts before he jumped - maybe he thought the ashtray was too small...
)
I bought two Chrysler mini's (Voy/Car.)in 13 years and had the Tranny's replaced in both. BY CHRYS.) Would I buy another DC if they had fold-under seats, towing on the shorty model and the flair of an MPV...probably. I don't think I would attack another make that has a slight link to Chrysler Corp. on the thinking that they never improve and that the other make is still bad.
Let it go....I'll just enjoy my MPV!
Now I feel like Yoda...much more relaxed, but if Count Doku ever happens by, I can still kick some [non-permissible content removed].
Use the force young apprentice.
I don't think they are worthy of an all-season rating. I'm in SW Ohio (Cincinnati area) and this is my first winter with my van in snow and it hasn't been a good experience. I run them at 32 lbs. Is there an alternative tire to be purchased? I also feel a small shake in my front end at all speeds.
Mace.
Mark.
What I would suggest to you is to get a 15" or 16" steel wheels along with winter tires and keep your nice 17" alloys with all-season or summer tires. By doing this, you will be able to switch wheels yourself and won't have to balance them every time. Plus you'll spare your alloys from the abuse of mounting/re-mounting tires.
That's what I did anyways, and I'm glad I did.
I'll keep that in mind. It may be getting too late here to do that. It's a shame I can't find a reasonable alternative to the Dunlops.
Maybe someone out there knows of a substitute for the 215/60/R17 that it wears.
Our window would go down but not up unless I pulled it up by hand. That happened at every position along the track, so having something stuck in the track wasn't even a consideration in our case.
-Dave
Steve, Host
Motors are covered! My cost on a 6 year 100K miles warr. was 1600. I keep my vehicles 8 years, so there's bound to have things happen like the windows deal.