11k = valve train failure.

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CX-9/Mazdaspeed 3
I was having a "clicking, shuttering, rattle" on startup only. I though it sounded like the valve/rocker assembly. The car's performance didn't seem effected though. It started to occur 4 days ago and only when it was cold. Over the next few days it would do it any time I started it. I called the dealer and brought it in. I asked the lead tech to come out and he immediately knew what it was. He said that it's the first MS3 he had seen with it but he had seen it occur with the MS6 and the CX7 with the same platform.

He showed me a diagram and told me the part belonged to the VVT part of the valve train responsible to getting oil to the valves at ignition. (see attachment)

I thought that I had seen a few other threads with this similar problem.

The lead tech showed me the recall and TB list and this wasn't on there.


Discuss.
 

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did you take your car to dealler for the first oil change??? they are suposed to preforme a check on the valves i think it is just listining.
 
I was having a "clicking, shuttering, rattle" on startup only. I though it sounded like the valve/rocker assembly. The car's performance didn't seem effected though. It started to occur 4 days ago and only when it was cold. Over the next few days it would do it any time I started it. I called the dealer and brought it in. I asked the lead tech to come out and he immediately knew what it was. He said that it's the first MS3 he had seen with it but he had seen it occur with the MS6 and the CX7 with the same platform.

He showed me a diagram and told me the part belonged to the VVT part of the valve train responsible to getting oil to the valves at ignition. (see attachment)

I thought that I had seen a few other threads with this similar problem.

The lead tech showed me the recall and TB list and this wasn't on there.


Discuss.

Dont feel bad at all... I had 28 miles on my first MS3 and got the same failure..
 
did you take your car to dealler for the first oil change??? they are suposed to preforme a check on the valves i think it is just listining.


Picked it back up today. Seems to be back to normal. I had them put the synthetic oil back in after they flushed it.

to answer your question...they have changed the oil every time. No one around here seems to have the filter and I'm to lazy to do the spin on mod.
 
What I don't like is the info on the TSB about the oil change to remove contaminants - also the reference to hardening the parts. Seems like the original part was too soft and was getting worn by the "pins" of the variable valve system. Looks like it had nothing to do with "oil" as they told you originally. Sounds like there was the potenitial for metal chips or fillings to get worn off the original part. Just what you don't want floating around in your engine.

Ed.
 
If you really want to change the oil yourself NAPA carries a good one manufactured by WIX under the Napa Gold label. I think they sell it for about $5.

Ed
 
I'm having the same problem I think, except I can hear the ticking all the time. Start up, and when I park and leave it idling I lift up the hood and its a loud ticking coming from the right side of the intercooler. This isn't normal is it?
 
I'm having the same problem I think, except I can hear the ticking all the time. Start up, and when I park and leave it idling I lift up the hood and its a loud ticking coming from the right side of the intercooler. This isn't normal is it?

You should have the dealer look at it.
 
I'm having the same problem I think, except I can hear the ticking all the time. Start up, and when I park and leave it idling I lift up the hood and its a loud ticking coming from the right side of the intercooler. This isn't normal is it?

Man I would like to take a look at the oil that comes out of that crankcase. I wonder how much metal had to get worn off that part in order for it to get that loose and make that kind of noise.

Ed
 
Man I would like to take a look at the oil that comes out of that crankcase. I wonder how much metal had to get worn off that part in order for it to get that loose and make that kind of noise.

Ed

The TSB calls for it to be flushed with 12 quarts. The mechanic reassured me it is precautionary that they do this.
 
i have to take mines in for a similar noise. only mine happens when i put a full load on the engine.( get in boost) its the same ticking taping noise. i guess they are a few different symptoms to the same part failure. ill try to make a sound vid for u to compare.
 
i have to take mines in for a similar noise. only mine happens when i put a full load on the engine.( get in boost) its the same ticking taping noise. i guess they are a few different symptoms to the same part failure. ill try to make a sound vid for u to compare.

They all do this, you have to down shift or it will retard and start knocking. Mine does this if I am putting along and decide to step on it in the same gear. You are supposed to down shift and/or back off immediately when you hear that noise.

Now the OP says he heard this at start up so that is different and obviously another problem.
 
They all do this, you have to down shift or it will retard and start knocking. Mine does this if I am putting along and decide to step on it in the same gear. You are supposed to down shift and/or back off immediately when you hear that noise.

Now the OP says he heard this at start up so that is different and obviously another problem.


no you arnt understanding . its not knock retard that im talking about . its a loud knocking noise that sounds almost like a rod knock.
 
Hmm, I have heard mine do this and it is a pretty load noise that sounds like a knock or clicking. If you are only hearing it when you over load the engine then it is still the same thing and not good for the engine at all. Just dont over load it and down shift, if it goes away then it is you over loading it.
 
FWIW

Mine developed this problem over the weekend (25K miles) .. first time I heard it, sounded like heat shield rattling around, only did it on cold start.

By yesterday, would do it almost every start and sounded just like a motor with low oil (rattles in valvetrain). It goes away once the engine starts, and no noises at idle or while driving. It's a pretty distinctive sound, a lot louder than ticking injectors.
 
FWIW

Mine developed this problem over the weekend (25K miles) .. first time I heard it, sounded like heat shield rattling around, only did it on cold start.

By yesterday, would do it almost every start and sounded just like a motor with low oil (rattles in valvetrain). It goes away once the engine starts, and no noises at idle or while driving. It's a pretty distinctive sound, a lot louder than ticking injectors.


That is exactly how my started. Did you get into the dealer yet?
 
does the car start fine? I've had issues the last 6 months where my car sounds like its not going to start but always turns over fine. Dealer says can't find anything. I gotta check my vin my car was bought at end of april.

any audio clips? Thanks
 
That is exactly how my started. Did you get into the dealer yet?

Yeah, Dealer got it and confirmed the Service Bulletin earlier in the post. They had to order the part, should get the car back today. Cool part is that I was due for an oil change, so ..


Zimmer:

In my opinion, this isn't a noise you'd confuse with injector noise, or anything else. I heard it over the radio.

Car starts and runs just like normal. Noise is only present just as the motor starts, and lasts maybe 2-3 seconds.
 
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