New MSP owner

[codex]

Bought a MSP a couple days ago. It has 117k miles, and some strange issues. It makes a noise when going over some bumps from the right front wheel well. It sounds like a grinding noise to me, but I don't see anything that would rub. It also has a strange hesitation/stalling problem which I think is due to a bad FMIC job. The tubing from the bov seems very suspicious. Don't have many pictures yet and I haven't had any time to give this car a thorough run down. I also smell oil when coming to a stop, I hope this is just the o-ring and not a serious motor/turbo problem. Any advice you guys can give would be greatly appreciated. It also seems like the front of the car is sitting higher than the rear, dunno if you can see this in the picture but it is noticeable to me in person.

 

[andrei1989]

hmm i have the same noise...ithink lol...most likely front motor mount or something

 

[codex]

Why do you think it is that? The motor mounts look good on this car, but I will check them more closely, they are aftermarket mounts, which are red.

 

[Spiced MSP]

Welcome to the forums and your new MSP..my car looks higher in the front too, dunno if it's because of the subs I have in the trunk or what. That's why I can't wait to swap out my struts and springs. Does the car have an aftermarket exhuast/maybe catless?..because with a catless exhaust, you will get a whif of a burning smell when you come to a stop as the fumes drift past your car. As far as the noise you hear going over bumps, I wouldn't know. and the hesitation you are getting may be because of the stock tune on the ECU. This car runs rich from the factory. Search the forums and you will see what I mean. Everything you will need to know, I guarantee you will find on this forum. This is lots of info available on here. This may help you a little bit: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50549

 

[codex]

I've read that a couple of times. Its more than hesitation though because it stalls too, seemingly randomly.

 

[Spiced MSP]

I've read that a couple of times. Its more than hesitation though because it stalls too, seemingly randomly.

vacuum leak maybe? do you have a boost gauge? do you have a CEL?

 

[andrei1989]

look at the front motor mount...it should be centered in betweet the mounting bracket. If its not that means that the motor kinda moves around and the mount is hitting the the bracket

 

[codex]

There is no CEL and yes there is a boost gauge. For some reason it boosts to 9psi although there is no MBC, I'm kinda confused about that but I heard there is a spring mod, not sure if mine has it. Vacuum is around 19

 

[kickniteasy]

To be honest, I'd do what anyone should do before buying a used car and take it to a shop to get it checked out....especially if it's a modded used car.

 

[Spiced MSP]

There is no CEL and yes there is a boost gauge. For some reason it boosts to 9psi although there is no MBC, I'm kinda confused about that but I heard there is a spring mod, not sure if mine has it. Vacuum is around 19

If you are boosting 9 psi with no known boost control added, it could be your wastegate actuator going bad and that could contribute to the hesitation you are experiencing. It is just a thought, don't take my word for it, others have had bad actuators and ended up boosting 12-15 psi. Look into an ATP wastegate actuator if it really is your actuator going bad. doesn't seem like you have a leak if your vacuum is around 19

 

[BOOSTR]

It could also be an improperly adjusted oem WGA rod, in addition to the spring mod. If you see oil on the two allen head bolts in addition to smelling burnt oil, then for sure change out the o-ring and block gasket for the oil return line.

Assuming that your boost gauge is accurate and not a Stewart Warner, the vac reading at idle should be in the 20-22 range depending on atmospheric conditions.

Give the car a set of new NGK copper plugs(0.028-0.031), new pcv, clean or replace the air filter and do a seafoam treatment. I'd also think about a new wire set(NGK).

 

[FlyinHawaiian]

The squeak/grinding noise when you go over bumps is most likely your front swaybar bushings. I have a similar noise and will be replacing mine shortly. The suspension looks like its running on stock MSP springs with aftermarket struts - aka how mine is.

You bought a GREAT car, but just be forewarned, there's a bit of heartache with them, as they need a little more care and "love" than some other cars might...

 

[codex]

I checked the WGA and it is no good. I can blow right through the vacuum line. Also the car is definitely higher in the front, and I'm kind of confused about this. It appears to have stock suspension, but the front sits about .5" higher.

 

[codex]

I did a little more research into the history, it seems this car has changed hands a few times this past year. The previous previous owner had it for about 5 months and put about 10k miles on it. He said it was boosting 9-11psi while he had it. So the broken wastegate has been closed for anywhere from 15k to i dont know how many miles. Obviously this can cause some problems. Can you tell me what to check? Will this do major damage to the engine or just wear out the turbo? Thanks again guys. Also can you recommend where to find a good wastegate for this.

 

[FlyinHawaiian]

I got my ATP wastegate from *************. Talk to Sam. They were really helpful and got it to me pretty quickly for a good price. If nothing is blown from the broken WGA so far, you might have dodged a bullet. Some people can boost the ~14psi for weeks/months, no problem. Others step on the gas once and Zoom-Zoom-BOOM!

This is what I would do, if I were you:

New coil packs
New plug wires
New plugs
Clean EGR valve
Seafoam
New Air filter
WGA replacement
Oil Change (check for any metal just in case)

All of the above should cost you $150-200 (MAX) to get done.

I can tell you with 99% certainty that your hesitation issues are spark related with a little clogged EGR thrown in for good measure. If it still acts up after all that, I'd say take it to a shop. As I said, these cars are temperamental and just need some basic tune-up help once in a while.

 

[codex]

I dont think that it's the egr because the guy I bought it from said he already cleaned it. I'm really not too sure about him though, he told me that the hesitation was fixed after getting the reflash and I believed him. Guess I'm a sucker. I didnt notice it though until later. Here is my theory on the hesitation/stalling. The car has FMIC with a BOV. The wastegate is not opening at 6psi like normal, but it is not reading 15 psi because the BOV is opening at 9psi and the air is getting blown out the air filter and the readings are just all screwed up. The MAF is located after the filter and before the turbo. Hopefully the wga will fix this. The number you posted did not show up so I dont know who to contact.

 

[FlyinHawaiian]

The forums won't let me post the website, but if you removed the spaces in: www.crossover auto.com/contact - you'll get to the page you're looking for

972-897-2509

 

[codex]

Can someone help me figure out why with a broken wastegate I am only boosting to 9-10 psi? Shouldn't it be higher? Do I have a problem somewhere else? Is the turbo shot? Are these turbos rebuildable, if so how much does that run?

 

[codex]

Anyone? I've ordered another WGA but I'm thinking that something else may have worn out from having it be stuck closed for so long. Still unsure why it was only 10 psi though, does this mean the turbo is worn? Also should my vac be lower than 18-19?

 

[CHIQLES]

is the motor forged, stock boost is around 6 psi vac is usaly around 20-24 unless heater is on then its about 18-21 if your not tuned your taking a risk going higher boost. You should go one step colder on plugs as well for higher boost. some other problems you may incounter, my left taillight leaks water into the trunk/most missfires and other ignition problems are due to the coils. try to get the canadian egr wont ever have to touch the egr ever again after you get it. find out if the differtial is welded, since you have so many miles it may be. replace all the vac lines, check for exhaust leaks at the mani and missing bolts. and get a wide band and maybe a new o2 this should make you all good hopefully..good luck..and welcome!