2015 CX-5 2.2L Diesel Advice please, Gasket, Cylinder Head and Block

[gna9821]

Hi all, my partner and I would be most grateful for your advice.

Mazda Cx5 2.2 Diesel 2015 model with around 65k miles on it. Due to the regulations where we live, we can not sell the car within 2 years of purchase and are therefore ‘stuck’ with it.

===

Background:

Repair 1: Change of the coolant bypass (plastic) to metal.

- We picked up the car around two months ago (import). Unfortunately within the first 10 minutes of driving we had a red engine overheating sign. We discovered that the coolant bypass was leaking. As such, it was carried back to the capital city where the coolant by-pass was changed.

- We also undertook DPF delete at the same time.

Repair 2: Change of the gasket and cylinder head.

- A few weeks later, we noticed loss of power while acceleration and overheating once again.

- Failed the block test (colour changed to green quickly) and intense pressure in the coolant system.

- On opening up to fix, not only was the gasket gone but also the head cylinder was unfortunately cracked too.

Repair 3: Change the radiator.

- No issues or challenges with the drive but noticed a small leak in the bottom side of the radiator while regular monitoring. As such, this was changed.

Repair 4: Change the EGR and re-do the gasket.

- We noticed white smoke coming through the exhaust system.

- As a result, the mechanic reviewed.

- Tested the EGR via engineers and it was found to be faulty too, and so was changed.

- They also redid the gasket.

===

Current Issue/Dilemma

- Having picked up the car, there is still white smoke (see attached video).

- It failed the block test (it took a while this time, but the colour did eventually change to green and the pressure in the system appeared to be high).

- We have a temperature reader for the engine/coolant system and it is not overheating (around 85-95 in regular use).

- Mechanics are offering to do the work without labour price included, at parts price

- Options:

1. Change the engine block (by process of elimination, as the gasket, head and the XX have been changed – all were also damaged). Does this seem reasonable or could there be other components that should be considered prior to spending on the block change? The rationale would be that the issue is coolant system related – as failed block test, so evidence of combustion gas in the system. Most likely also explains the white gas in the exhaust too.
2. Change the entire engine to a second hand one (more expensive) – same rationale as above, but also acknowledges that there may be other engine related issues.
3. Could there be two separate issues – issue with the coolant system (per block test, as above) and the smoke in the exhaust due to another issue? For example, related to the DPF delete, injectors, leaky seal or overfuel in the map etc.

Thank you for your time and reflections - hugely grateful as it has been quite the saga since purchase two months ago and we are not sure which way to go

 

[HyFlyer]

Wow. Sounds like quite a situation you find yourself in having no choice but to deal with it for two years. Such a strange (to me) rule/law that would make choosing wisely very important necessitating extensive research and prepurchase inspections or buying new.

Seems like your model year (2015) Mazda 2.2 diesel shows up more often in threads about these sorts of problems. Blown head gaskets. Broken or stretched timing chains. Clogged up oil pump screen. Broken oil pump chain. Camshaft wear. Turbo bearing wear. I'm of the opinion these problems are caused by exhaust gas recirculation, carbon buildup and oil dilution. A cascading effect when the oil gets gooped up with carbon and diesel fuel.

If you're stuck with this for two years with no options, I would think a complete engine rebuild would be the way to go.

 

[gna9821]

Thanks so much HyFlyer for your thoughts on this - super helpful. Yes that makes sense. It is because of the odd import rules/tax in the country sadly. Will do re engine rebuild (I guess the main new component still due for change is the block/cylinder...).

 

[200955]

Hi all, my partner and I would be most grateful for your advice.

Mazda Cx5 2.2 Diesel 2015 model with around 65k miles on it. Due to the regulations where we live, we can not sell the car within 2 years of purchase and are therefore ‘stuck’ with it.

===

Background:

Repair 1: Change of the coolant bypass (plastic) to metal.

- We picked up the car around two months ago (import). Unfortunately within the first 10 minutes of driving we had a red engine overheating sign. We discovered that the coolant bypass was leaking. As such, it was carried back to the capital city where the coolant by-pass was changed.

- We also undertook DPF delete at the same time.

Repair 2: Change of the gasket and cylinder head.

- A few weeks later, we noticed loss of power while acceleration and overheating once again.

- Failed the block test (colour changed to green quickly) and intense pressure in the coolant system.

- On opening up to fix, not only was the gasket gone but also the head cylinder was unfortunately cracked too.

Repair 3: Change the radiator.

- No issues or challenges with the drive but noticed a small leak in the bottom side of the radiator while regular monitoring. As such, this was changed.

Repair 4: Change the EGR and re-do the gasket.

- We noticed white smoke coming through the exhaust system.

- As a result, the mechanic reviewed.

- Tested the EGR via engineers and it was found to be faulty too, and so was changed.

- They also redid the gasket.

===

Current Issue/Dilemma

- Having picked up the car, there is still white smoke (see attached video).

- It failed the block test (it took a while this time, but the colour did eventually change to green and the pressure in the system appeared to be high).

- We have a temperature reader for the engine/coolant system and it is not overheating (around 85-95 in regular use).

- Mechanics are offering to do the work without labour price included, at parts price

- Options:

1. Change the engine block (by process of elimination, as the gasket, head and the XX have been changed – all were also damaged). Does this seem reasonable or could there be other components that should be considered prior to spending on the block change? The rationale would be that the issue is coolant system related – as failed block test, so evidence of combustion gas in the system. Most likely also explains the white gas in the exhaust too.
2. Change the entire engine to a second hand one (more expensive) – same rationale as above, but also acknowledges that there may be other engine related issues.
3. Could there be two separate issues – issue with the coolant system (per block test, as above) and the smoke in the exhaust due to another issue? For example, related to the DPF delete, injectors, leaky seal or overfuel in the map etc.

Thank you for your time and reflections - hugely grateful as it has been quite the saga since purchase two months ago and we are not sure which way to go
View attachment 331604

I have no idea what a new engine is worth but before you go that route you should ponder weather it's worth it or not. 2015 is like almost ten years ago. And in my opinion you may end up with another "turkey" engine just like the current one in the same amount of mileage. 65K mileage is usually nothing for a diesel especially spread out over 9 years. That's about 7K per year. This whole scenario doesn't add up or reveal what the previous owner did/or didn't do to the vehicle.
I'd go good/low mileage used and dump it in two years.

 

[gna9821]

Thanks Logidad, yes that all makes sense re being cautious with a change of new engine. Does seem these models are rife with the issues... Will do re either changing the block/cylinder and seeing if fix or trying to swap for a good condition/low mileage car and dump it the earliest I can in two years. Thanks again for the advice!