The Car:
2004 Mazda 3 2.3l with 70k miles. I purchased it for 8,800 with 60k from the first owner last summer. I love the styling, hadling, performance, and transmission.
The Problem:
I've been having problems with hesitation with cold starts between 2500 and 3000 rpm. It seems to be worst in cold and cold-wet weather.
What I've done to try to fix it:
I've done all the scheduled maint: oil, man transaxle oil change, cooling system flush, brake fluid flush, new air filter, new plugs, replaced the MAF sensor, replaced the PCV valve & hose, re-flashed/ programed the PCM computer with all the most recent updates, and replaced the front engine mount.
What the dealer says:
The dealer says it needs a new Intake Manifold due to an internal baffle fault causing the baffles to stick around 2500 to 3000 rpm. This seems to be the source of a ticking sound (the baffles) at idle that sounds like out of adjustment valves. The mechanic who worked on the car took off a vaccum hose for me and the ticking noise went away, this was the basis of his diagnoisis that the baffles are sticking in the manifold.
My Question:
Should I drop the roughly $700 to try and fix this? I've spent so much already (about $700) with no results I'm afraid it will be all for nothing. Any Advice?
2004 Mazda 3 2.3l with 70k miles. I purchased it for 8,800 with 60k from the first owner last summer. I love the styling, hadling, performance, and transmission.
The Problem:
I've been having problems with hesitation with cold starts between 2500 and 3000 rpm. It seems to be worst in cold and cold-wet weather.
What I've done to try to fix it:
I've done all the scheduled maint: oil, man transaxle oil change, cooling system flush, brake fluid flush, new air filter, new plugs, replaced the MAF sensor, replaced the PCV valve & hose, re-flashed/ programed the PCM computer with all the most recent updates, and replaced the front engine mount.
What the dealer says:
The dealer says it needs a new Intake Manifold due to an internal baffle fault causing the baffles to stick around 2500 to 3000 rpm. This seems to be the source of a ticking sound (the baffles) at idle that sounds like out of adjustment valves. The mechanic who worked on the car took off a vaccum hose for me and the ticking noise went away, this was the basis of his diagnoisis that the baffles are sticking in the manifold.
My Question:
Should I drop the roughly $700 to try and fix this? I've spent so much already (about $700) with no results I'm afraid it will be all for nothing. Any Advice?
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