redcalimp5
Member
- :
- '03 P5
A couple of days ago my engine light came on. I noticed soon after that that the engine started to sputter a little, like I might have a vacuum leak or something. Everytime I took off from a complete stop, it seemed like I didn't have any engine power until it got up to about 3500RPM's, and then it would take off like it normally does. So I take it in to get looked at, the guy puts the ODII on it, tells me it reads "random misfire". I've never changed the spark plugs(94,500mi), and the head gasket has always leaked....but not bad enough to notice significant oil loss. It was evident around the valve cover, though, that it leaked.
So the mechanic recommends new spark plugs, all new plug wires, and a head gasket replacement. The day after they did this work she ran fine, the 2nd day after, the engine light came on again, and when I'd pull up to make a stop at a light, the engine would sputter bad, and then the engine would die. I was able to restart it quickly, and it took off slow for a couple seconds, and then took off like normal.
I take it back into the same place, they have it all day(yesterday). I call them after 4 hours, and the manager told me on the phone that they were still trying to figure out what was wrong with it. Two more hours pass, and I call them again. The same guy tells me that the large hose that connects the air filter housing to the engine had a 2 inch tear in it. They replaced it, and it ran fine....for a couple of hours. Later last night, it started doing the same things again....slow start from a stop, and then it takes off, and there is still random engine sputtering, although it's not enough now to where the engine dies like before. And the engine light is STILL on.
At this point, I've pretty much lost faith in this shop's ability to resolve whatever issue my car is happening. I've dropped $500 in 3 days with them, and I'm still having the same issues. They obviously aren't equipped to handle the type of issue that I'm experiencing, and I'm sure they'll just keep "guessing" and replacing parts until they eventually get it right, if I were to bring it back to them.
I'll be calling my local Mazda dealership/service center in a little bit, so see what it will cost to get a diagnostic done, and hopefully find out FOR REAL what's going on with my engine. I hate going to the dealership, but I don't feel I can trust anyone else local in town.
So the mechanic recommends new spark plugs, all new plug wires, and a head gasket replacement. The day after they did this work she ran fine, the 2nd day after, the engine light came on again, and when I'd pull up to make a stop at a light, the engine would sputter bad, and then the engine would die. I was able to restart it quickly, and it took off slow for a couple seconds, and then took off like normal.
I take it back into the same place, they have it all day(yesterday). I call them after 4 hours, and the manager told me on the phone that they were still trying to figure out what was wrong with it. Two more hours pass, and I call them again. The same guy tells me that the large hose that connects the air filter housing to the engine had a 2 inch tear in it. They replaced it, and it ran fine....for a couple of hours. Later last night, it started doing the same things again....slow start from a stop, and then it takes off, and there is still random engine sputtering, although it's not enough now to where the engine dies like before. And the engine light is STILL on.
At this point, I've pretty much lost faith in this shop's ability to resolve whatever issue my car is happening. I've dropped $500 in 3 days with them, and I'm still having the same issues. They obviously aren't equipped to handle the type of issue that I'm experiencing, and I'm sure they'll just keep "guessing" and replacing parts until they eventually get it right, if I were to bring it back to them.
I'll be calling my local Mazda dealership/service center in a little bit, so see what it will cost to get a diagnostic done, and hopefully find out FOR REAL what's going on with my engine. I hate going to the dealership, but I don't feel I can trust anyone else local in town.
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