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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
Our van has 1,500 kms and other than that I couldn't be happier with our purchase, certainly a great value for the money.
Cheers
Todd
Our MPV is at 15,000 km now and I have never noticed this smell. The van usually runs on gas from Petro Canada because their gas station is across the street from my place... I don't think this is the gas that causes the smell...
I have never heard of funky gasoline causing this smell/problem. I would recommned that anyone having this problem, report back to your local dealer as I wouldn;t categorize this as "normal".
By the way, I'm '00 ES MPV owner (for about 7 mos now) and we've never experienced this.
Good luck & be sure to let the rest of us know if/when the egg smell gets diagnosed (and hopefully resolved for you).
On the rotten egg smell, I recently smelled it on Friday night but don't ever recall smelling it before. I wonder if it does have something to do with the gas? Having been in the MPV board since 8/99, it's only now that I have read about the smell. Bought White LX 2/00, 10K miles on it.
Also a metallic vibrating sound when slowing down (like for a speed bump) and then accelerating?
Minor things considering how great this car is. Got the infamous sheet of plywood in. Had it ripped into 3 pieces at the Depot. Still got the 8' part through the middle. Haven't found much that I can't fit in here.
Love the folding seat. My 9 year old can pull the handles and make it disappear!
Didn't hear the sound when braking though (or maybe haven't paid my attention). How loud is it? My brakes are squealing quite a bit after I drove on parking brakes for quarter of a mile and maybe I just don't hear the other sound? :-)
A question here. Could driving with parking brakes on for some 300 m at slow speed really glaze brake pads? Or is my noisy problem due to something else? I guess I'll have the shop work on the glazed brake pads soon anyway :-)
I believe Tboner1965 had a great solution to the idle issue, which involved a small copper cap with a hole drilled in it. I forget the size of the hole. Maybe he's lurking and can save me from disgrace here...
On another note, I'm noticing a slight noise when braking (15,300miles) that sounds like folks' tie rod issue, and will be having it addressed at the next scheduled service in May.
Happy motoring!
--javadoc
Check out one of the MPV threads, I put the Ray McNairy (RIP) Contour.org Throttle hang fix.
You can see it at: http://contour.org/mods/showfaq.pl?howto/throttlehang
TB
I just went to contour.org following your link above and bumped into another link discussing the Duratec engine premature water pump failure. It shows a recent survey (Jan 2001) of many cases of the water pump failing. Any insight on those in respect to MPV?
For all of you wishing to read the stats, go here.
Another option:
Record a looped tape that says, "I love my roof rack, I love my roof rack, I love my roof rack". Just turn that on every night as you go to bed and in one week your problems will be nonexistent.
The first person to get to 60K should do this and then tell the rest of us if you have a plastic or metal impeller.
It seems the plastic impellers break up and then don't pump water anymore.
The good news is it is pretty easy to fix. There is a FAQ on that too.
Cheers,
TB
TB, ja, but is it an expensive part? I know the one on my car (car, not mochavan) costs $600 (plus r&r). I'd suspect it'd be much much less expensive than that, just so's nobody gets nervous, lol. The pump on our A1 VW only costs about $60. I don't think that 60k is all that short of a lifespan for an H2Opump, it's just one of those things that wears out, but something to know about fersure. Like you said, chock it up to preventative maintenance.
--java
I've heard that AutoZone sells one with a metal impeller.
Not that metal is good. You know, different metals, aluminum and whatever that pump is made from could cause some other issues.
But, I believe it is 4 to 6 bolts and you can change the belt and refresh your coolant while you are at it
TB
Ne1 getting near this mileage that we can watch? I'm only just at 15,100, and doubt I'll see 60k on the MPV for 6 more years, if we keep the van that long. We're already talking of upgrading/trading if there's an awd model in the works.
--j
http://contour.org/mods/showfaq.pl?howto/waterpump
My dh was going to try rubbing compound but hasn't yet. Let me know what works for you.
Just trying to help you save those "clear coat" finishes.
Good luck!!
Maybe some Mothers (brand) cleaner/cutter, but make sure they say that they're safe for clear coats, or you'll end up with a dull stripe instead of a white stripe.
Luck!
--javadoc
Wow, 40k already. How'z the van holding up?
--j
As far as tire longevity goes, there are too many variables to determine if 40k is unacceptable. That's not unusual and factory tires and longevity are oxymorons.
The miles were easy for me. I've had the van for 16 months. Between taking the 2 kids to school in two separate trips, picking them up, then driving 40 miles round trip to work, shopping, a Florida trip in August, and taking my daughter to her 100+ softball games in the past year (all around midwest), it was a snap. This year will be no different. I had 28,000 in the first year and the per month total is still there. At this rate I'll have 100,000 miles in about 3 1/2 years. I'm glad we didn't lease it!
However, I'd check with luke@tirerack.com. I just got 4 Dunlop SP5000 225/55ZR16's for the Buick for $104 each. These are an even higher performance tire, so they might have the MPV size for a bit less. Yes they do $89 for 215/60HR16's and $93 for 215/60VR16's for the SP4000 tires.
Of course you need to take them somewhere for mounting and balancing. But if you have a good general mechanic you could get that done, w/o a visit to the local tire shop.
I think it changed MPV to mpg and changed "have ABS brakes" to "have as brakes"
Is that what you meant to type?
TB
Thanks,
Randy
Thinner oil = better mileage
Question:
Has anyone heard first hand of the factory filters blowing up? From what I understand, this has only been a an issue with the aftermarket filters(mainly Farm).
--javadoc
BTW, my previous post should have been FRAM not Farm.
8-P
--javadoc
Chuckles...
--j
Just give them the bulletin number and they should be able to find it.
-javadoc
I'm not sure why it only applies to ABS and I really don't want to take the time to find out, LOL, but if I hear a half decent explanation I'll let you know.
One corretion to your post doc: Should that be the 'portly' side. HaHaHa. OK,OK, it's almost 5 and then I will regain my sanity.
-j
(I hope this is somewhat intelligible for bill124)