2012 Mazda3 Service questions about Dealer suggestions

[mmitsch]

Our son's 2012 Mazda needed a splash shield replaced and we took to a Mazda dealership. The service foks did a thorough check (and even provided a video walk around) and suggested the following:

1. Replace Belt Tensioner and Belt - looks like bearings in tensioner leaking.
2. Rear brakes measured low - suggested replacement. Front looked good.
3. Noticed leaking from the Timing Cover - suggested replacing gasket.
4. Noticed leaks at the Transmission Cover Pan - suggested replacing RTV and flush / fill of transmission.
5. Suggeted Anti Freeze flush / fill. Had this done about 2 years ago (about 30K miles ago).
6. Fuel induction service - I think this is a fuel rail / injector clean out.
7. Replace brake fluid / power sterring fluid.

We love the car and it's in great shape with about 80k on it. We want to keep it for years. My quesiton is if all the above looks ok? Should be get a Thermostat or any othr parts looked at? Should hoses be replace? We're going to do some of this ourselves /some at local mechanic. Dealership wanted $4,800 for all of the above.

Let me know your thoughts...

 

[quigley2003]

I would get a second opinion because we have a 2012 Mazda 3 with 83000 miles and we have none of these issues only thing that needs replacing is drive belt

 

[negusm]

If the timing cover is leaking...time to pull it and find out the real reason. A timing cover isn't supposed to hold any fluids in.

 

[buddywh]

Our son's 2012 Mazda needed a splash shield replaced and we took to a Mazda dealership. The service foks did a thorough check (and even provided a video walk around) and suggested the following:

1. Replace Belt Tensioner and Belt - looks like bearings in tensioner leaking.
2. Rear brakes measured low - suggested replacement. Front looked good.
3. Noticed leaking from the Timing Cover - suggested replacing gasket.
4. Noticed leaks at the Transmission Cover Pan - suggested replacing RTV and flush / fill of transmission.
5. Suggeted Anti Freeze flush / fill. Had this done about 2 years ago (about 30K miles ago).
6. Fuel induction service - I think this is a fuel rail / injector clean out.
7. Replace brake fluid / power sterring fluid.

We love the car and it's in great shape with about 80k on it. We want to keep it for years. My quesiton is if all the above looks ok? Should be get a Thermostat or any othr parts looked at? Should hoses be replace? We're going to do some of this ourselves /some at local mechanic. Dealership wanted $4,800 for all of the above.

Let me know your thoughts...

If the tensioner isn't making noises you could wait a bit longer but if leaking it's not long until it goes out completely. It's also a good time to get new belts if never done.

If pad thickness is low enough then brake job is necessary; the real question is whether or not it needs rotors since they often throw those in when not needed. This is a safety issue and shouldn't be overlooked if pads are at the limit.

Timing cover leak is probably not needed to be fixed depending on how bad it is. If not dripping to the ground and never a significant drop in oil level between changes then it's not necessary; these things often seep oil around the seal which is not a problem.

Transmission cover is the same situation as the timing cover, but if you've never changed transmission fluid and filter it's a good time to do that which should take care of the problem. If not serious it can wait so you can budget for the service.

If you've maintained anti-freeze carefully, i.e., never used tap water and only 50/50 mix of the correct stuff for top-ups, then it's really not necessary to do a flush. Modern coolants can last essentially forever if maintained properly.

Fuel induction service (especially on a non-GDI engine) is worthless. Just put a can of Techron in the tank and you're doing the same thing.

If getting a brake job go ahead and have them replace brake fluid. It's probably excessive extra cost, but if never done it might be needed. You could also ask them to tell you the moisture content of the fluid first; if not high then it's not even necessary. The power steering fluid is kind of mheh, probably not necessary but if cheap enough go ahead.