Is there any symptoms besides a CEL or codes that would let us know if rocker arms have fell? What exactly happens when the rocker arms fall off?
For Toyota's RAV4 recall you mentioned although the fix is sloppy but at least it won't affect the safety after the fix. It's similar to the fuel filler pipe recall on gen-1 CX-5 which removes a bolt and calls it a day.
But the recall fix on CX-5's falling rocker arm? I believe one of the victims on this issue said the best:
No, this has nothing to do with "I told you so" on cylinder deactivation. But it's all about safety:Agree to disagree. I think a handful of posters are sensationalizing this rocker arm issue. We all know you hate CD and would love Mazda to eat crow over its decision to add it to the 2018*s. You*re on record. Move on. (wiggle)
Apparently nothing, until you double down shift and punch it to get around an 18 wheeler on a windy 2-lane highway, then you lose almost all power and go into limp mode while straddling the semi with oncoming headlights rounding the corner.Is there any symptoms besides a CEL or codes that would let us know if rocker arms have fell? What exactly happens when the rocker arms fall off?
I cancelled my plan getting a 2018 Mazda CX-5 and got a Toyota Yaris iA only because I found Mazda suddenly added cylinder deactivation to its 2018 lineups. The history of CD has proven it's a bad idea for long-term reliability, and I usually keep my vehicle forever. And I no longer recommend CX-5 to friends and family because of this cylinder deactivation feature.
Now we found the CD from Mazda is having the design issue. The rocker arm will fall off without any warning if the conditions are suitable. There's no fail-safe mechanism designed into the CD system. If Mazda relies only on PCM software to control changing oil pressure related to too many factors such as oil viscosity, oil level, and temperature, it's too difficult to define pre-set oil pressure ranges to perform certain functions. The current PCM code which causes rocker arm falling off is a perfect example that the software can't cover every aspect of conditions, and the result is the oil pressure is getting too low and the rocker arm is fallen off its position.
There should be a physical hardware to prevent the rocker arm falling, no matter how low the oil pressure is.
One example is the dragging issue on Electrical Parking Brake for 2016 CX-5. Several TSB's had issued. The initial TSB was to update the EPB control module firmware. The second EPB TSB was another EPB control module firmware update. Finally the latest TSB is Mazda has to improve the rear brake calipers' design and disregard the previous firmware updates.
Another example is the fuel filler pipe recall on 2016 CX-5. Mazda had to come up a fix quick due to the stop-sale pressure from NHTSA. The recall removes a bolt from a bracket holding the filler pipe. But this's only a patch job only to meet NHTSA's requirement. And Mazda eventually had come up a new design on pipe holder bracket to meet NHTSA safety standard.
So my opinion is the PCM software update is only a temperature fix for NHTSA, and Mazda should eventually re-design the cylinder deactivation so that the rocker arm won't be falling under low oil pressure conditions.
I really don't have too much of a concern, I don't hesitate to drive my car and don't feel like getting a different car. Out of 50 or 100 people on this board with a model with CD there have been two people that went into limp mode. However had I seen this issue before buying my car I would not have bought a Mazda, I probably would have kept my old car a couple more years. It will take a year or two to see if Mazda's program update fixes the issue.
To be fair, if I remember correctly, your concerns about cylinder deactivation never even considered this problem, it was all about what other manufacturers had suffered with fouling of the deactivating cylinders. This is down to Mazda employing a different design and a glitch that could only really become evident after extended trial. Your initial concerns have yet to be realised and may never do so.
Just get Top Tier gasoline in 87 octane. Detergent problem solved.
I cancelled my plan getting a 2018 Mazda CX-5 and got a Toyota Yaris iA only because I found Mazda suddenly added cylinder deactivation to its 2018 lineups. The history of CD has proven it's a bad idea for long-term reliability, and I usually keep my vehicle forever. And I no longer recommend CX-5 to friends and family because of this cylinder deactivation feature.
Likely a good move. When we got our 2018 did not know that CD was new that year (found out after the purchase) but we do get 36 MPG on long trips to Myrtle Beach. I assume 36 is from the CD.
Likely a good move. When we got our 2018 did not know that CD was new that year (found out after the purchase) but we do get 36 MPG on long trips to Myrtle Beach. I assume 36 is from the CD.
AWD or FWD?