Mazda6 Maintenance and Repair

thegreatvudini

Anyone can comment on how long it takes to get these 2 things done? Can you wait for your car, or have to lose it for a day? What loaner can you expect? A Mazda3, by chance?

Thanks someone.

Vudini

r2s2

Took my dealer a day and a half. Everything went fine as far as I could tell; I didn't have any visible rust but they still did the sealing job. No fuel smell was evident.

Took car in one morning and picked it up the next day's afternoon. Dealer provided an Enterprise-owned Ford Escape, which was OK. Of course, I'd have preferred an RX-8 . . .

bigdadi118

I got a Dodge Neon from Enterprise. I heard the Mazda service called Enterprise, "I need A CAR (no indication of size)" so it's whatever available at that moment.

darmc96

I feel lucky, my dealership gave me a 6i as a loaner car yesterday. They also have been adding 3i's to the loaner fleet as well. What you get as a loaner depends on the dealership. Not all dealerships have there own fleet like mine does.

ericzoom

I also have a 2004 Mazda6s with a slight ticking sound coming from the fan.Its a very low clicking sound that seems to vary with fan speed.I also have a 2002 buick Rendezvous with the same problem.I think for now I will ignore it,unless it starts getting louder.If anyone has any Info. on it,please say.As far as a loaner car goes my Mazda dealer also uses Enterprise and I got a Toyota Echo. They said for $5 I could have gotten a Chevy Trailblazer to use.As long as I was given a car to use for nothing I didn't care.

krame00

Thanks to everyone and all of the posters on this site. I have learned a great deal about my Mazda6 in the last few hours reading these posts!

1. Howling noise when parking - been to the dealer twice with this, they think I am NUTS. They can't duplicate it but it happens to me every day. Everyone at work knows when I pull in because it is so LOUD! Can't hardly sneak in late with that going on.

2. Clutch Shudder - this happens mostly in the morning, and since the dealer already thinks I am NUTS, I was afraid to mention it. Now I will.

3. Noise in Dashboard/Fan - When fan is turned on low, makes an annoyong rattling sound.

4. Rattle from engine at low RPM (like when idling through a neighborhood.

5. Floods easily - this has happened to me twice, so not worth mentioning to the people who think I am nuts.

6. MOST EMBARRASING: last weekend when I hit the unlock button on my remote, the panic alarm went off and WOULD NOT STOP for 20 MINUTES! We tried driving down the road, putting it in reverse, slamming the doors. My husband couldn't find the horn to unplug it.

Do you know the beauty of it all? I still love this car. All I have ever owned is Mazdas, and this one has been the best. What a ride.

bigdadi118

You should have 2 remotes for keyless entry. Use the other remote if the one you were using didn't turn off the panic sound.

Wondering how the panic alarm was stopped after 20 mins.

krame00

Yeah, I guess if we were home, we could have grabbed that other remote (my husband doesn't carry it - he says it is too bulky). Maybe I should keep it handy just in case.

How did it stop after 20 minutes? We don't know. It just did. Pretty bizarre.

dondilio

Dont know if any of you know but you cant lock the car with the key and open it with the remote. The alarm will sound.

krame00

Thanks for that info, dondilio! I suppose if I read the manual I would probably find that in there somewhere. That is probably what kicked the whole alarm debacle off.

rotarykid

I know my 99 626 couldnt be locked with the remote and opened with the key, and you CAN lock my 2000 mpv with a key and open it with the remote. Havent gotten into either situation with my 04' 6 yet. will try tomorrow......

dondilio

When it happened to me it was my first day with the car. I looked and looked in the manual and didn't find anything, maybe I was a little stressed hearing the alarm and couldn't find it or anything about what could have triggered the alarm. At least it happened in my house instead of the mall.

I also called Roadside Assistance and ironically the only thing I didn't found was assistance. They told me to disconnect the battery.

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kaiserhead

My 2000 Protege had a similar condition, I figured it was a leaf caught in the fan and asked the dealer in Ft. Lauderdale to take a look at it on the last service before the base warranty expired. They ended up replacing the fan unit at no charge and voila, the clicking went away. In the Protege, the blower unit was right behind the glove box, the glove box was easily removed to access the blower, you may want to see if the 6 has a similar configuration. .....or just ask the dealer to remove the leaf and get a new unit.

mazda6s

Since the Mazda6 (unlike the Pro and Mazda3) has a cabin air filter, I think it would be hard for a leaf to get to the fan.

kaiserhead

True, all the more reason to get the dealer to fix it during the next service.

chikoo

>>> Rattle from engine at low RPM (like when idling through a neighborhood. <<<

I get that too, epsecially when I rev to 2000rpm and let go of the gas (trattle...trattle...) ...cruise 20 ft....repeat the procedure...., typical of a stop-n-go situation.

And it happens only when the temps are above 50F.
Never heard that in Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.

*trattle -> Teeny weeny rattle sound

mazda6s

Hmmm, sounds like an exhaust system heat shield rattle. That's the first thing I'd check. Does it depend on whether the engine is hot or cold? If not, I'd suspect something other than the exhaust system.

In any case, since it depends on RPM and not speed, I'd guess that it's something on, or connected to, the engine.

chikoo

appears to be more pronounced when the AC is engaged. It happens only when the Ambient temp is above 50F (or in this winter after driving 50 miles or more and the car is really running hot)

krame00

I just took the car in today to take care of recalls #2 & #3. While they are at it they are going to look into the "trattle", the "parking howl", and the TSB for the clutch shudder. I will let you know how it goes. I agree that the "trattle" problem is pronounced when the AC is on, but it isn't isolated to just that.

They still can't duplicate the parking howl. At least I have had it in for that 3 times. If the wheels fall off at 50,001 miles I'll have proof that it was a long standing problem.

mdaffron

Well, all Mazdas want to zoom-zoom! This is the sound of your car crying out, "I don't WANNA PARK!!!"

cop414

krame00
If you know about a TSB for the clutch shudder you win the prize. So many of us are waiting for that TSB to come out. First Mazda knows that there's a problem, then they deny it. First there's a fix, then there's not. A certain person at Mazda USA has fix info, then they don't. My clutch shudder is sometimes so bad that I depress the clutch after starting out just to get it to stop. This to me could very easily become a safety issue, hence a liability issue for Mazda. (Mazda, are you listening?)
Otherwise my car has been almost perfect for 20K-once I myself fixed the brake squeal. Please let the clutch shudder club members (an ever increasing not so exclusive club!) know how you make out.

chronob

If your dealer said their is a TSB for the clutch shudder problem then please ask him to provide a copy of it to you. I'm sure someone around here could post it on the internet and let others know about it.

arockwel

You fixed it? Or Mazda fixed it? Either way, what was the ultimate solution?

cop414

Go to brakeworld.com-I ordered the Rotex front brake pads. I think that they were about $60.00-70.00. I sprayed the backing with CRC brake squeal reducer and installed them. Once since I've pulled the calipers off and reapplied it. (They were installed last November) Other than a bit of squeal when wet or very cold for the first stop or two they have been totally quiet. An added bonus-that black brake dust is all but gone. My dealer, who is 45 minutes away attempted 4x to fix them. Clip kit, repositioned dust shield, ground off pad edges, so on and so on. The final straw was the last time when he told me-oh well, I guess that's the way that they were desinged! I was fed up and decided to just handle the problem myself.
I've turned a few wrenches in my day-but I'll be damned if I'm going to replace my own clutch though.

cheesehead6

A Mazda technician who posts on another website (which has to remain unidentified under Edmunds forum rules)reported that a fix is in the works, but not yet here.

It requires the ordering of some new clutch parts. Mazda will be ordering new clutch discs/pressure plates from another manufacturer. I presume that when they arrive they'll issue a technical service bulletin to the dealers.

They should be motivated to work on this as hard and as quickly as they can, because, as has been pointed out, it can become a safety/liability issue.

cop414

Any idea on a time frame for this? Also if you would check my profile for my email I would appreciate it if you would mail me the link/board that you are talking about.
Thank you.

chikoo

keep us updated on what the shop discovers.

krame00

Here's the final outcome of my trip to the service department:

1. The brake squeal - couldn't duplicate it. Therefore, no problem.
2. Clutch Shudder - Service Manager said he called Mazda and they pled ignorant. No TSB. Based upon what I read above, there never was one. So now I am a member of the clutch club awaiting.
3. The rattle at low RPM (a.k.a. trattle): There was a front crank seal leaking oil on the drive belt which caused the belt to deteriorate. Replaced belt and seal.

I would also like to know about this other board via e-mail.

cop414

Just a tip to you and anyone else out there in the same boat. Make sure when your dealer makes that call to Mazda you insist on him/her telling you who he spoke to at Mazda. I have found this little tidbit can make a big difference. When I called Mazda USA and began giving names and dates and times I knew that they, as well as I knew that there could be no "uhhh, I dunno-we never heard of that" We have to make them accountable.
I'm sure, like anywhere else it's so much easier to claim ignorance, except when you come heavily armed with good information. There are times when I'm dealing with Mazda that I am reminded of the old phrase-It was like fighting a battle of wits with an unarmed man!!
cheesehead6 says there is a Mazda tech on the other board posting about the clutch fix, but Mazda denies a problem-hmmm, sounds familiar. We need that person's name so that when we or our service mngr calls Mazda they can no longer deny the problem.
Someone else had posted before, and I've had the same situation, when you have people in the car and all of the sudden someone yells-what's wrong with your car!! How's that for embarrasment with your new car.
Come on Mazda-at least make some kind of statement on this and give us a time frame on the fix. That's all most of us are looking for right now-to know that you're working on a fix, and that you'll take care of the problem as soon as the fix is ready. New clutch components being ordered-why keep that a secret from your customers.

glenn47

I have a 2003 6s with cloth seats and the sport package (black seats). I don't have any pictures of it but it's a pretty serious quality issue. The seats can probably be trimmed with a fabric shaver every few months but that shouldn't be necessary. The driver side seat back started rolling up (pilling) and fraying after about 2 months or 1500 miles. The other parts of both front seats started doing the same thing but not as bad. I took it in to my Mazda dealer and they took pictures of it and showed the regional rep. The service manager said there were a few that were doing this but it must be an isolated bad batch of cloth because most were fine. They ordered the replacement covers. Once I was finally able to schedule an appointment to get it done, they had the rep come in and inspect the car. She determined that only the driver's side seat back needed to be replaced. The whole process took 3 months and they were unwilling to fix the problem. I guess it's just as well. The new seat back is already doing the same thing after only 2 months after being replaced. If you like leather i'd recommend it over the cloth.

glenn47

krame00

It's baaa-aack!

The rattle at low RPM is still there. I am not even sure if it ever left. I have to admit that I wondered how a leaky seal and a corroded belt could make the car rattle. To me, the non-mechanic, it sounds like something is loose and needs to be tightened.

I will have to call the service department Monday. They may be sick of hearing from me, but I am sick of bringing my car in, so we're more than even.

cop414

Does anyone have any kind of update on the clutch shudder problem and or the TSB to fix the same?

cut_shot

So I was renting a mazda 6i with cloth interior. It has about 7k miles on it and the back seats look pretty bad. anyone else seeing this?

cop414

chronob-
Have you had any further contact with Lisa Lasky about the clutch problems? Just wondering how you or anyone else out there is making out with the problem.

cop414

Clutch problem? What clutch problem, no one has reported any clutch problems that we know of. We called HQ and they have had no reports of any clutch problems!!
Just doing my impression of the people who answer the phones at Mazda USA-sorry couldn't resist ;-)

arockwel

Yeah, that is the same response I got from MUSA when I mentioned the brake-squeal problem... had to laugh.

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mazda6iguy

If anyone out there knows, can you get the Mazda3 "2.3" emblems from parts? I would like to put them on my 6i cause I have the 2.3 4 cyl. Not too many of us here it seems has the 4 cyl. Just wondering.

bootcamp

I just bought a Mazda 6, and when refueling the gage will not go to the full line. In addition, I only get about 250 miles before the tank "reads" empty. I believe that this is a calibration problem. Does anybody else have this problem?

ericzoom

I also find that the gas gauge never really hits the full line completely in my 6,but I do get much more than 250 miles to a tankful.

chikoo

to me it seems to be the AC unit at fault.
Could be anything from a loose AC pulley bearing to a compressor piston slapping.

I will have to wait for the summer before I can take it in, cause it only happens when it is hot.

Hot => expansion => more play => trattle ??????

krame00

Hmmm... I think that the AC unit merely accentuates the problem. I can hear the trattlin' even when the AC is off. Mind you, I live in Oregon, we only use the AC 2 days out of the year here. The windshield wipers get far more use. Thank God there's nothing wrong with them!

cop414

chronob-
How are you making out with your clutch issue? Have you had any further dealings with Lisa Lasky? I was wondering if you could let me know how you've been contacting her. I am now taking the approach that my clutch has become a safety issue. The car vibrates so bad sometimes that I engage the clutch just to get it to stop. Not the safest thing once you are in the middle if an intersection.
PS to all-brakes still squeal and dust free.

cutemorganite

I have a 6i, and my line goes all the way up to the top when I fill up my gas tank. Also, if I would let my tank fall below, I would get about 400 miles to the gallon. I usually fill up by 300 miles. If you can only get 250 per tank, you should take that sucker to your nearest dealer for them to investigate.

chronob

Hey, cop414. I don't have any news on the clutch front. After I received that information from Lisa Lasky I left a message with my service manager to start researching it so that he could take care of it on my next service visit. I will probably take my car in sometime in the next week or two, so we'll see how it goes.

I've seen reports of service managers fixing the problem, but others denying the problem. Some people have said that their manager called the tech hotline and were told there is no issue or fix. I recommend you ask your service manager to provide the name of the people they spoke to in such a case. Then contact Mazda corporate about it. Or ask to be there when they call the tech hotline so that you can hear the person's name, and what they have to say. My suggestion is to tell them you know that dealerships have been replacing clutch discs (and in some cases the flywheel, too) under warranty for this problem.

As to how I contacted Lisa, I simply made an initial e-mail to Mazda via their website and she replied.

chikoo

Last friday, It got up into the high 70's and I could hear the trattle sound. So I take it to the mazda dealership. The Quality foreman sits in my car, listens to the sound. Then he fires up two more MZ6S (one in for service, another brand new). none of them make that trattle sound. So he advices me to bring the car in on monday. Today is monday and the car is at the dealership. Let us see what he finds.

barber

The other day at a stop light, my mazda 6 (4 banger) stalled. I started it up again only to have it stall again at the next light..........Anyone else have this problem

cutemorganite

I have not had a problem with my 6I4 stalling or any other real problems. I think you should take that sucker to the dealer ASAP. Sorry I couldn't be of any help.