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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions
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It was really a joy to read this group. Believe it or not I have read all the messages in this and other Mazda groups with a total of more than 4000 postings. I noticed experts like javadoc, tboner and of course our Resale Value expert rutger3 :-)
After reading all those messages you all seem to me like a family. Finally, because I just bought new 2002 Mazda MPV ES I decided to join this discussion.
From reading earlier posts I remember someone mentioned CD changer bug. Unfortunately I have to tell you that you still cannot play at random all disks. Just one at the time and you have to change them manually. I traded in VW Passat with CD changer and in that car I could play all disks at random. It worked like that. First disk played at random until all tracks were played. Then another disk and another until all disks played. Once all disks played then tracks were selected at random from any disk.
My Mazda MPV in Sage Green Metallic is absolutely great. The options I have are roof rack, sunroof, cd changer with cassette player, cargo net, fog lights, and custom carpet. I have tested both 2001 and 2002. In my opinion 2001 has plenty of power. I was tempted to buy 2001 with incentives but I opt for 2002 under S plan. I couldn't get 2001 under S plan because the dealer who was participating in this program did not have 2001 anymore with sunroofs.
The only problem so far I have with "rotten eggs smell". I remember few people earlier had the same problem. I can only smell this if I am idling and the car is stopped. I am on my third full tank of gas. First one was filled by a dealer. Then I filled with MOBIL and now with Chevron premium. It seems that the smell goes away now but I was wondering if anybody found the real solution???? Since quite a few people encounter this problem with Mazda's earlier models I am really surprised that this issue hasn't been fixed in 2002 models.
MB
Re: resale values... fwiw, trade on my 2000 LX is about $15k after almost 3yrs of ownership, so I'm told. Not bad since I paid $23k for it.
Re: your egg smell, our van hasn't ever done this thankfully, but my Volvo is extremily sensitive to what brand of fuel I put into the tank. It seems that only Texaco, from one particular station by my mil's house (an inde-station that advertises "NO MTBE"), works consistantly at running w/o stinkiness. Every time my wife fills up the Volvo, she goes to "whatever is convenient" and it always comes home stinking like you know what, and I cringe since she puts "regular" in it (it needs 93oct). So, I guess, trial and error is your best method on the egg smell there, partner.
/j
I thought I remember reading something about the catlytic converters on some of the new MPV's making the rotten egg smell because they were new and needed to burn-in (so to speak).
SC
Hard to believe your read all those posts, you need to get a life, just kidding:) Mike, keep in touch and post often.
Many happy and safe miles!
Pjd58
/j
MB
Java, Scarter: I'll be visiting you with the soccer team - send me your address's. )
"Red '01" still draws looks. Shame they eliminated that color in '02. Still zero problems @ 23K miles.
OK, I won't mention the ashtry...
Yeah, too bad they discontinued "Teal" for '02 as well, tho that means there won't be many more around I 'spose besides mine.
RE: Ashtray - Give it up Bob! The habit, that is! I agreed not to smoke in either car when we got our MPV 'cause it really trashes the inside So far, so good .....
SC
I could use some MPV visitors up here. June's better (for fishing) than messy March, but wife says no visitors in June this year... she wants to enjoy the sun on the deck w/o interruption. (reqcon) My neighbor w/an '01 LX has no appreciation of what a nice van she owns, despite my efforts, lol. You'll have to drive a bit to get here though, and the soccer team may get testy after the first few days. You can make some good time on those straight stretches in the Yukon Territory, just watch out for the Mounties.
Lol on the ashtray comment (come on, let's hear it anyway).
/j
To the point, I'm still afflicted with "Stinkyvan" syndrome, unless I'm choosy about my gas. If I fill it at my local, look out world, The Prez ranks as a weapon of mass disgust. On the other hand, if I fill it at the Sunoco station on the way to work, what comes out of the tailpipe is so inviting that people stop and smell the violets as I drive by.
And while I'm here,let me take a moment to share something weird that happened to the Prez this week. We were going down the street in our accustomed stately fashion (decidedly stately--I'm pushing 60 and The Prez is, after all, The Prez). Suddenly, it was as if the leash broke. The Prez surged ahead (well, "surged" might be a bit strong--we're talking MPV here). It felt spritely! When I stepped on the gas, it no longer thought about it for a second or so; it just did it. And it's been that way ever since. Honest to God, I'm getting a "zoomzoom" feeling when I drive it, something that was never there before. I haven't timed it, but I'd swear that the 0-to-whatever time is down by a couple of seconds.
Do you think somebody (the MPV Fairy?) snuck into my garage one night and secretly replaced the 2.5 with a 3.0? It sure feels like it.
Not that I"m complaining, mind you.
RJ
PS. An uncle 24x, huh, Bob? Piker! I'm a great uncle eleven times over. My nieflings have been busy busy busy!
RJ, are you sure you didn't hook up some little blue bottles for street racing your students?
If I thought it would have done any good, I'd have tried it. I mean, I loved that van, but it could have lost a race to a spavined turtle.
RJ
wind deflector for sunroof
I would love to do that and any
word of advice I'll appreciate.
MB
I don't know about the rest of the cards around here, but I'll maintain that I get work done... I'm just adept at the "Alt-Tab" key sequence. lol
If it weren't for the kookiness of some of our participants (not me, of course), they'd have frozen this topic for lack of use me thinks.
Bob, you know... I just realized that Scarter and I have the same name. That could be why you feel ganged up on, hmmm? When should I expect you and the soccer team? I'll have to thaw some salmon and halibut out.
/j
First time was in the passenger door. It's going in Monday for that repair.
The second time is today someone rearended the wifey. Totalling the lift door and likely the bumper. Insurance is going to kill me!
I need to stay inside today.
Ohh I took the MPV in on Tuesday for the hardddd shifting tranny. They argreed that it shifted hard but I was told that I should have changed the fluid at 30k. I pointed out to them that the manual says nothing about a service for the transaxle at 30k. They showed me their "special" service schedule for our area! HA changing the plugs at 30K I don't think soo. Anyways they went ahead and did their service of the tranny and it helps some but it still shifts harder than my 68 Mustang. Then when the bill came, they told me it my wife it was $150 bucks! I asked them about the $65 coupon I was holding and they said see where it says slightly higher!!! Somehow our definitions of slightly were not matching up. I called Mazda, they were great about it. They offered to pay me $50 rebate towards whatever the dealer charged. I wiggled the dealer down to $113. So I was in the ball park. But, by the time I picked it up the final bill was $66 which by all definitions can be considered slightly higher. I thinkg the Mazda CS guy called them before I arrived!!
Anyway that is my story and I am sticking too it. If you want to hear about my Mustang Saga today you will have to go to:
www.vintage-mustang.com in the forums section
Look for terrible day in the neighborhood post
I am heading for the recliner.
Honestly, given the choice in 2000, I'd have chosen a 3L over the 2.5L. However, this choice was not available.
I've never really concerned myself too much with fuel economy because fuel (even in Southern California) is the cheapest thing you'll put in your van.
The Duratec 2.5L is a wonderful engine in cars, but only does ok in a van.
I suspect the reason for the MPV 2.5L engine was due in part to production capacity. Probably every 3L Duratec was being used in the Taurus/Sable, believe it or not, the 3L Lincoln LS shares a similar, if not the SAME engine block as well as the newly arriving Escape/Tribute and the baby Jag coming out.
With the Contour/Mystique being discontinued and Europe preferring (for fuel and tax reasons) the 4 cylinder Mondeos over the more expensive V6, there was probably an excess capacity of 2.5L engines. Not to mention lackluster Cougar sales.
So it was probably an accounting decision instead of an engineering one.
I really don't think the 2.5L MPV is dangerously slow.
I do believe GM makes some of the best bigger fuel efficient power plants. Fords in my experience have not been as efficient as other makes.
I have a 3.8L 1987 Buick LeSabre that has reached 31 MPG during highway cruise. I believe GM uses a "lean burn" strategy during cruise that gives you three to four minutes of lean operation with one minute of slightly rich.
Gobs of low end torque make it easier for engineers to use gearing to keep the engine turning low revs.
I do suspect some more agressive programming of the MPVs PCM (powertrain control module) would net higher fuel economy.
I find the MPV relatively effortless on the highway (other than the high revs which don't bother me) compared to the 3.8L pushrod engines of GM, Ford and DC since it tends to breath even better at higher RPMs. The bigger pushrod engines seem to run out of breath.
I think it comes down to driving style and preferences. High revs really don't bother me, so I don't get nervous when I see the tach turning 4K+. Not to mention, the engine doesn't sound course at those high revs. The 3.8L in my Buick at 4K sounds like it will shake itself apart.
What would make my MPV perfect? A stick shift
TB
ok2, we have to use MTBE from Oct 1 to April 1 and I immediately notice a 2-3 mpg drop in fuel economy on the MPV as soon as I burn through the first tank in the fall. This may explain your lower economy since you're using Cali-fuel.
/java
Msgjvh: Bummer - do you live in Houston? The MPV has gotten me out of several "butt squeezing" situations with it's maneuverability with some (many) idiots here.
Scarter: Been talking to my wife again..?! )
Java: That's smoked salmon - right?
/j
Ooook - content; Had a couple of soccer referres eyeballing "Red" today and my wife stopped me, as the gleem came across my face, from bouncing over to the parking lot acting like an MPV salesman. She didn't exactly say it that way....more like "Sitdown"!
Ok, that's a MPV problem, right? Matrimonial disharmony caused by fanatical MPV owner? Huh? Guys?
I need help...
Yes Bob, I would consider marital discord over the MPV a problem worthy of posting. Oh, but I forgot ... just don't do it from work Hey RJ ... I you really want to see American productivity at it's best, cruise on over to the Roadside Cafe board!
SC
We should be getting an '02 MPV sometime this summer, so I hope to see the mileage increase, but it really rests with the CARB(California air resources board).
As far as power goes, I still don't have a problem there. Maybe it's because we have 4 kids under 8. I did however feel the effects of loading the MPV with 450 sq.ft. of Pergo the other night. Oh well, that's what I get for leaving my P/U at home.'
I resemble that remark!
/java
/j
SC--I don't think I want to check out the Roadside Cafe. I have a very low depression threshhold.
RJ
/j
I am glad to report that the smell is gone. By javadoc advise I changed the gas station and most likely that did it. I have now 750 miles on the odometer and for past week I didn't smell any rotten eggs. I almost used to this smell and I sort of miss it now :-) By any chance does anyone know if they make air frashner with rotten eggs scent?
MB
/j
Alex, very funny!
/j
Javadoc, you are bad.... I wan't eat dinner tonight :-))
MB
Canceling my trip for the smoked salmon....
RJ
All this effort trying to figure out what smells rotten in McKinley-mark and it's a carton of AA Large? ROFL
/java-snuck-the-content-in-anyway-doc
Has anyone noticed a small draft somewhere around the key slot or slightly above when all A/C & heat is off?
Not major (or even minor) but refraining from the "other" ) problem...
I've felt these small drafts in just about every car before... but mostly where the door opening lever was on the door, not around the ignition key (that's where you're talking about, right?)
/javadoc
That does bring up something else - ever try to put the key in there in a hurry? The very first time I ever started it my forehead was laying on the dash with the shift lever in my eye looking for the ignition switch. They hid that slot pretty well.
My daughter is almost at the age to start driving now (panic). The school wants a million dollars (or about) to have their driver training classes for each student. We decided I would start her myself with lessons in the MPV. I'm using it as a con at the moment - posting a sign on the dash that says "All underaged drivers must wash the van once a week".
I'll have to pay attention to see if there's a draft by the key hole. I'll point the weather machine down there to the THIRD largest state in the union (if you cut Alaska in half) so you can test the draft out again.
/j
Would I have felt better if I had shelled out $25,000+, and then found I really didn't like the engine? I don't think so.
The cost of certainty was too high. Sometimes it's better to learn from other people's experience. The reviews were consistent enough, at least among those who don't love every car they review, to be taken seriously. Could I have been wrong? Maybe, but I'm glad I waited for the 2002. Given a similar situation in the future, I'd still value the opinion of some of the people that review cars for a living.
thanks
/java
My wife came home last night... DW=Darling Wife; DH=Devilishly Handsome, ahem, Darling Husband. Names changed to protect the innocent.
DW: Did you fix that clunk?
DH: (mutes TV) What clunk?
DW: The clunk I told you about.
DH: Uh-huh (not really listening, as usual)
DW: Well, I still hear it, so you didn't fix it.
DH: Are you sure? I remember tightening the bolt.
DW: Well, there's definitely a clunk.
DH: Did you remove the stroller and see still hear it?
DW: (Awkward silence...)
DH: Uh-huh (resumes watching WRC on SpeedChannel)
Can anyone help me with my "Problem?" LOL! Is that problem enough, RJ? :-)
/j
Sounded surprisingly like a vase clunking against someone's head....
Hard to tell though - some guy was ringing my doorbell with a load of pizza's at the same time.
Steve
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