About ready to trade in my new CX9---uuuggghhh

[stlcx9]

I can't handle the ticking, clicking, clacking motor noise in my 2013 CX9, basically only happens in cold weather-below 40 degrees. Start it up in the morning in my garage and when driving up the street the engine sounds like a Power Stroke diesel in a Ford pick up. You hear it in the low rpm band--to say normal acceleration. Don't really hear cruising on the highway. Its around 20 degrees in St Louis and it sounds terrible, doesnt really get much better when the motor warms up. Other thing I noticed is when is dumps down to 3rd sometimes cruising down a hill you hear the clack clack tick tick. Also at idle when revving the motor you first hear a quick one second whine, not a belt whine, when you hit the gas pedal.

Went to dealer and it turned out to be a warm day so didnt hear it much. Experienced advisor said the the ticking is normal with it being an aluminum block etc etc, no problem. I am taking it back tomorrow when its cold out, can't believe other CX9 owners would be putting up with this. Anybody got some feedback on this, I only read online some folks mention this but not to extreme I am mentioning.

Thanks
Rob

 

[nsbio]

2012 CX-9 sounds quiet after having been parked outside at -15F. Your car is not normal and needs to be taken in.

 

[dsc888]

Sorry to hear that your new car is making these noises. Please keep us posted as to how things work out. It sounds like valve train noises possibly.

 

[tex2670]

If you didn't do so already, leave it with the dealer the night before so they can start it up cold, since it's worse under those conditions.

 

[table5511]

Bummer! I don't understand this 2013 issue. Seems like everyone and their brother with a 2013 CX-9 is having problems!! Same motor, same trans, but now plauged with problems.

I don't have this problem. I keep my CX-9 garaged, but still, we've been out a couple times this year when it was below 20 degrees, and plenty of times years prior in our 2008 CX-9, and haven't experienced the problems you describe.

With that being said, if you are using speedway/sheetz/crappy cheap gas station gas, they I would say its your gas. I go out of my way not to use gas stations with added ethonol and/or heavy chemical additives.

And with that as well being said, our CX-9's don't like 87 octane. Personally, I rotate between 87 and 89, filling up with 89 about every 3rd or 4th tank.
And I also dump in a can of Seafoam into the gas tank about every 5,000 miles when the tank is 3/4 full.

The reason I started doing that was for cold pinging. Engine had moderate pinging during moderate accelleration during warmup and would disappear as soon as the needle got to the middle (warmed up). Literally, was like a switch being turned off as soon as the needle got to the middle.

I had the dealer reflash my ecm, and that seemed to help a little. But I've determined that 95% of the issue is the gas being put in the tank.
Basically your combustion chamber gets gunked up with carbon deposits among other deposit from chemicals & other things being put in fuel these days.

Cold / warmup pinging is bad for your motor, but can be managed and/or eliminated with Seafoam & 89 octane.

But I'm not sure if you are just talking about pinging during warmum, or knocking? Sound like small marbles bouncing around inside the cylinder head during heavy accelleration when motor is still cold?

 

[stlcx9]

thanks for replies, took to dealer when it was 28 degrees out. They are still saying this is normal for this motor, drove the service mgrs demo and sounded fairly similar. Because i drove the 5 miles to the dealer the engine was a little warmer and the beyond terrible sound it makes before being warm wasnt doing. Yes sounds like marbles when starting after cold, the first 3 or so miles is awful. I expect better out of a v6, a nice quiet hum, this motor is not quiet in the cold. I do put quality gas in it, just 87 octane though since high octane is not reccomended. Not sure what to do, I have a feeling I will get the run around from Mazda Corp. I bought this car in August and didnt notice issue when 90 out, def has something to do with the cold. The service manager didnt recommend anything, just that its a great car and have to get used to. Says its the motor design with aluminum. Tick Tick Click Click when temps are cold is just annoying. Might just trade it in on a Venza

 

[Scott91370]

Ours, with 7600 miles so far, sounds normal. A little buzzy under hard acceleration but that's about it.
Keep bugging them.

 

[MSke390]

Noise is normal in cold metals shrink increasing gaps until they heat up but the noise shouldn't be that loud. Audible but not excessive...this is very subjective so good luck trying to find what's normal. I first noticed this on one of my motors when I cast light weight pistons.

Motor is under warranty so before you freak out I would make sure to have dealership review under same conditions as you're seeing then have them write everything up and enter in system! If they say no issues tell them you are concerned with abnormal wear from increased tolerances and have them give you an assurance that no future damage will occur. If damage occurs the pistons will deteriorate quickly well before warranty is up. I personally would contact Mazda on this to have it put in your record to protect you.

 

[stlcx9]

thanks for the advice

 

[sts7049]

this thread might help. i had a similar issue, and i had to be persistent with the dealer to get them to acknowledge it was not a normal noise. eventually i got a new engine.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123740592-Recording-of-Engine-Knock-Rattle-Noise-in-new-CX-9-Help-Needed/page7

 

[jlanger]

Yea gotta have them check it out when it's really cold.

Though in defense, my old proteges sound like diesels when it gets below 10 degrees F out. 3.7 is a vastly different motor though.,

 

[bachman]

this thread might help. i had a similar issue, and i had to be persistent with the dealer to get them to acknowledge it was not a normal noise. eventually i got a new engine.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123740592-Recording-of-Engine-Knock-Rattle-Noise-in-new-CX-9-Help-Needed/page7

Did the new motor sound the same, different or better ?

 

[sts7049]

the new motor definitely does not tick like the old one did.