Hey guys,
I just did a whole lot of searching around the web to mixed results, so I'm hoping someone can help me out with an issue that I'm having on my 2009 Mazda3 with approximately 150,000 miles on it.
My problem has to do with a pretty severe, loud creaking/shuffling sort of noise from the front end or engine compartment that seems to be much worse when starting from cold. It is very much diminished (but still apparent) after driving around for a few miles. My car has a manual transmission and the noise is much more apparent when starting from a stop in first gear.
I've read around online about everything from control arm bushings to engine mounts. I've had someone else start it for me with the hood open and the engine doesn't really seem to "lurch" on starting like engine mounts seem to indicate. Idle is smooth. I also checked the passenger-side mount that seems to go on everyone's Mazda3s, but there is no apparent fluid leak and the "bubble" seems to be full (squishy when pushed with a finger). I am the only owner the vehicle has ever had and I've never had any mounts changed or suspension components changed other than rear struts.
To clarify further and provide more detail, the noise doesn't really seem favored by turning the wheel either way, it just remains consistent no matter which direction I'm going, including straight. I've had a few mornings where I slipped the clutch a bit due to being tired and nearly stalled, and the acceleration/deceleration of either the vehicle, engine, or both, gave it a good solid back-and-forth shuffle and creak that was pretty nasty.
Has anyone experienced something similar that can help? I'd really like to fix the issue because this has been a great car, but I'm also considering just trading up for a 2015 model, though it would be nice to go a while longer without a car payment!
I just did a whole lot of searching around the web to mixed results, so I'm hoping someone can help me out with an issue that I'm having on my 2009 Mazda3 with approximately 150,000 miles on it.
My problem has to do with a pretty severe, loud creaking/shuffling sort of noise from the front end or engine compartment that seems to be much worse when starting from cold. It is very much diminished (but still apparent) after driving around for a few miles. My car has a manual transmission and the noise is much more apparent when starting from a stop in first gear.
I've read around online about everything from control arm bushings to engine mounts. I've had someone else start it for me with the hood open and the engine doesn't really seem to "lurch" on starting like engine mounts seem to indicate. Idle is smooth. I also checked the passenger-side mount that seems to go on everyone's Mazda3s, but there is no apparent fluid leak and the "bubble" seems to be full (squishy when pushed with a finger). I am the only owner the vehicle has ever had and I've never had any mounts changed or suspension components changed other than rear struts.
To clarify further and provide more detail, the noise doesn't really seem favored by turning the wheel either way, it just remains consistent no matter which direction I'm going, including straight. I've had a few mornings where I slipped the clutch a bit due to being tired and nearly stalled, and the acceleration/deceleration of either the vehicle, engine, or both, gave it a good solid back-and-forth shuffle and creak that was pretty nasty.
Has anyone experienced something similar that can help? I'd really like to fix the issue because this has been a great car, but I'm also considering just trading up for a 2015 model, though it would be nice to go a while longer without a car payment!
