Brand new Mazda 3 - rough idle

[zeebos]

My 04 3 has been in twice now in 2 months for rough idleing. Each time they told me that the "purge valve" needed to be replaced. Each time it was replaced the car ran fine and then obviously it went bad again.

 

[Vince Malfara]

2007 Mazda 3 GX idle problems

Hello everybody.

Thank you for having this forum on Mazda. Very helpful.

It would seem that the 2007 3's have the same problems as mentioned in this forum regarding some sort of rough idle.

We leased a 2007 Mazda 3 GX 2.0l in December ' 06 this after driving 2 Toyota's to the ground. An 1984 Corolla with 395000 km and a 1993 Camry with 325000 km.
It was time for a new car and I love the look of the Mazda line.
So, I signed on the dotted line and just before Xmas a brand new Mazda 3 GX was delivered.
Wahoo!
D'oh.

The engine seems to miss / have a vibration, which you can feel in the seat of your pants only at a stopped position in gear or in park. Always.
RPMs do not fluctuate erratically. Steady around 750 rpm at warm idle. This has been going on since day one and happens whether the car is cold, hot, short drives long drives etc.
Tried different grades of gas all with no change.
I let it go for a few hundred km's and said maybe it has a break in period. Took the car into Mazda dealer at 1200 kms and they said it could be a number of different things. They checked the Mazda site and upgraded the PCM. Wahoo! I thought that sounds like it would have fixed it for sure. D'oh, there it is again. Called the service manager and he said it will go away as the car get older. Heard of cars running worse as they get older not better, but what do I know. At 1500 kms took it in again as the vibration is still there. No further updates. Suggestion now is soft motor mounts or AC compressor. Dealer said they would leave the file open. Contacted Mazda Canada. They said take it in again and have the service manager look at it again. They scanned it again and said all the fuel trims are in order and the PCM is showing no errors at all.
So it seems it is not a fuel management problem. They have left the file open and I am waiting to hear from Mazda Canada as a follow up. The car now has 2600 kms.

From what I have read here, I do hope that it will cure itself, soon. I really do want to enjoy my new car as I have enjoyed my other cars over the last 30 driving years.
It is an awesome looker and I would like to keep after the lease is up.
The thing I have trouble with is that a brand new car should not have a symptoms like this.
Thanks again, good work.

 

[blondee_yvr]

Called the service manager and he said it will go away as the car get older. Heard of cars running worse as they get older not better, but what do I know.
From what I have read here, I do hope that it will cure itself, soon. I really do want to enjoy my new car as I have enjoyed my other cars over the last 30 driving years.
It is an awesome looker and I would like to keep after the lease is up.
The thing I have trouble with is that a brand new car should not have a symptoms like this.

I have 17,000 KM and I still have the intermittent rough idle. I have had everything done like. I even had the intake cleaned. No cure. There is a reason why JD Powers has the Mazda rated near the bottom of the list in terms of reliability.

 

[Guestfromcanad]

I have 17,000 KM and I still have the intermittent rough idle. I have had everything done like. I even had the intake cleaned. No cure. There is a reason why JD Powers has the Mazda rated near the bottom of the list in terms of reliability.

I was looking on the net to find a source for this problem on my sisters M3 sport and i stoped here to check it out because my OBDII reader gave me the P2187 code . So i checked around read the post and she has 98 000 km on her 2004 and it just started a month ago to do this idle thing and it was stalling some time s . They changed her gas pump and no diffrence i will try to ground the TB and see but we will go check to have the Purge solenoid valve replace and i will update later with you guys .

 

[blondee_yvr]

I was looking on the net to find a source for this problem on my sisters M3 sport and i stoped here to check it out because my OBDII reader gave me the P2187 code . So i checked around read the post and she has 98 000 km on her 2004 and it just started a month ago to do this idle thing and it was stalling some time s . They changed her gas pump and no diffrence i will try to ground the TB and see but we will go check to have the Purge solenoid valve replace and i will update later with you guys .

Thanks, which brand/make and model OBDII reader or scanner do you have? Did you take the reading when the CEL was already on or was it stored and your OBDII picked it up then?

 

[Guestfromcanad]

Thanks, which brand/make and model OBDII reader or scanner do you have? Did you take the reading when the CEL was already on or was it stored and your OBDII picked it up then?

The OBDII reader was bought at canadian tire (like NAPA) and the code was stored it picked it up . BTW i tried to ground the TB and it didnt work . She went back to the dealer and they say that they cant fix that trouble yet ? There was a recall for the fuel pump but that doesnt fix the problem and they say that the solenoid isnt the trouble ? Can it be a vacuum leak or the problem seem to come out after a 30 min drive on my freinds 3 .

 

[blondee_yvr]

The OBDII reader was bought at canadian tire (like NAPA) and the code was stored it picked it up . BTW i tried to ground the TB and it didnt work . She went back to the dealer and they say that they cant fix that trouble yet ? There was a recall for the fuel pump but that doesnt fix the problem and they say that the solenoid isnt the trouble ? Can it be a vacuum leak or the problem seem to come out after a 30 min drive on my freinds 3 .

in my case, no codes were stored, at least not by the time the dealer got to look at my car. was thinking of having a reader/scanner in my car so when it happens I can connect it right away. Crappy tire just had a scanner on sale last week. i ddint pick one up since i don't know if it work on my 3.

my dealer did a lot to checkout the problem with my rough idle. it depends if the dealer did the same with your sis' 3. Could be vacuum leak too or maybe they solenoid was working fine when they tested it.

i do know that there is a computer update on something similar with the idle. i had it done but now, my idle surges every once in a while where it would normally just stall. cant help wonder if this is related.

 

[Vince Malfara]

Engine vibration follow up

Hi again.

Well, made one more trip in February to the dealer and told them to check the idle, fuel trim etc again. I have been too busy to go back this month.

The symptom is similar to a vacuum leak. It happens when the brake pedal is depressed in gear (automatic transmission).
There is a slight vibration felt in the passenger compartment. It also happens in park.

They couldn't find anything wrong. Or as they put it "unable to replicate problem at time of service".
I did mention that the CEL flashes 7 times when the key is in the ignition (accessory mode). They said this showed a code that the computer had been plugged in several times. ???
It could be almost anything.
Their suggestion was to keep an eye on it and let them know if I find anything out through other sources.
Shouldn't they be the ones checking into this problem?
Along the lines of the grounding issue I have found some other sources that talk about grounding. One deals with Mazda 5's though.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef90f58/1063

http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/TAY21533.htm

Once the snow melts I will take a closer look at this option of grounding.

It is some what comforting to know I'm not the only one out there having an issue and I am not imagining this. Hopefully Mazda will see that there are some issues and spend some money on finding a resolution.

 

[blondee_yvr]

Thanks Vince for the update and links. Troubleshooting intermittent problems is always the hardest. As I don't drive much it makes it even more difficult for the problem to show.

Unfortunately, dealers don't get any paid shop time for troubleshooting so they will always tell us to keep an eye on the problem. Hopefully we can figure something out to get to the bottom of this. FWIW, I was advised against doing any additional grounding especially to the throttle body ground by the former shop foreman at my dealership.

 

[compguy68]

throttle body

I also have a grounded throttle body and a perfectly smooth idle

How do you ground the throttle body? Where is the throttle body?

 

[johnuhl24]

Iv'e got a brand new 08 Mazda 3 and it has a rough idle condition and check engine light. We took it to the dealer and after 3 1/2 weeks of trying to fix it, they decided to put a new engine in it. Now only 300 miles later is has the same condition, rough idle and check engine light. They told me the valves are bent again and they wont authorize the warranty. They say we caused the damage by missing a shift or over revving the engine. We are preparing to excersise our lemon law rights.

 

[ehidle]

I just bought a new 2008 with the 2.0L engine and I have the stumbling problem as well. It is noticeable, but not egregious. I have notified the dealer, but I will not make a big deal about it until completing the engine break-in procedure.

I've never liked I4 engines because they are naturally not capable of being as smooth as 3, 6, or 8 cylinder engines. In an I4, the cylinders are connected every 90 degrees on the crank, and this means that at TDC, there are always 2 cylinders that are completely stopped, that then have to be accelerated from a standstill (considering the vertical axis as the plane of motion). This means that there are also only 2 cylinders with any momentum to lend to the flywheel effect. The whole process is just more violent than in other engine configurations.

Hopefully once the break-in procedure is complete, the bearings will have seated completely and the engine will be thoroughly lubricated, loosening the TDC pinch that can occur until these two things happen.

 

[belgiumrom]

Rough/erratic idle & squeaking in the morning story

I apologize if it's not the proper way to tell the story, meaning as a reply to another thread. In fact it's about the same issue->rough idle.

Well, I see lots of Mazda3 owners (don't matter if 2.0 or 2.3) have issues with rough & inconstant idle lately, even with brand new cars.
Let me tell you a story from Montreal Quebec Canada, just to see how things are fixed at the dealers over here.
I am an emigrant like many others here, and I come from Europe. Back home I owned many cars (all new) and I've never had issues going to dealer to report a problem with the car (being warranty still) and be rejected for the reason of "hearing too many noises", "need too many things done on this car", "car is fine, you're crazy, you hear inexistent noises" and the latest one from a mechanic "I have a mazda3 too and it does the same sounds"...
I bought this car in 2006. After 3 months it started to rough idle and lose power in the same time. Acceleration was too slow and the mileage on the car sucked big time...
So, here I am going to the dealer, hoping they will do something about it. ...but I was so wrong...
When I arrived there and reported issues I had I was told the car's engine is seating right now and I should expect some other issues in the future (not too bright of a foreman though). I replied that they should at least connect it to a computer and see if anything wrong. With me insisting, they finally did. Called me in the shop with the computer open at the idle screen and showed me all is ok (theit version). At the time I saw variations of more than 200 RPMs in my car's idle, but they said that's normal. (damn it, I would like to see what's NOT normal in their opinion). I left the shop feeling a little guilt that maybe they were right. The issue started to worsen in cold weather. I am a tech person and I need to understand what's going on, so I went on the net and found few forums like this where mazda3 owners all over the globe had changed the purge control valve and O2 sensor on the warranty when this issue happened. I get a little courage next week and go back to the dealer and mention this valve and sensor to them. I get an answer that as long as no check engine light is on they cannot change parts just like that...
Since I was there, I reported idle issue it again. this time they didn't even open my file, let alone putting a remark that I reported it again.
Time passed and I reported the idle issue at least 15 times for the past year (issue was never resolved properly). The third time, they took the car inside and did a throttle body cleanup, contacts (not sure which) and grounded it.
Every single time this lasted for not more than 2 weeks after which my car's idle started going crazy again.
...and like that 2 years passed, and I went to the dealer like 20-25 times.
3 months ago, I heard a noise coming from the right side of the car on cold starts. That was a squeaking noise which lasted for not more than 5 mins after start. They said that's normal too, and the last mechanic said his car has it too. That was last Monday when I left the car in for checking. They called me 2 hours later saying the compressor belt had to be re tensioned and the noise is gone. Both of the belts have been changed a month ago with no effect. So, I go to pick up my car. The first second I started it, the noise was there even louder than before. But this time was special because I was not alone, I was with a friend who tried to convince me to get a HONDA instead.
Embarrassed to the limit I went inside to tell the rep it's doing it again. The rep said it's possible, but they cannot do anything else to fix it since it's heard on other mazda3 cars.
That was it! I lost it, right there...
For 30 minutes I yelled at the rep, the mechanic, the foreman and the director (not the manager). I told them I don't want to hear any more excuses and I want real mechanics to work on my car (not the one I had who couldn't fix anything, being capable of changing tires, filters and oil only), I want a replacement car (not a lease) for the period they will fix mine and that they can keep the car for as long as it takes to fix the problems (idle and squeaking). I also asked them to test the car before deliver it to me because if I hear noises in the morning and/or rough idle after they fix it I will freak again...The people waiting in line sympathized soon. So you can imagine what happened after. The director asked the rep to hand me the keys to his car (company car), they assured me they will carefully inspect the issues reported and they will call me when fixed. Today (after three days), the director called me and said the car it's ready. I asked if he is sure I can come to pick it up. He said yes.
Well, let me tell you what was wrong all along with this car. For the idle issue they changed the solenoid purge control valve, the O2 sensor and one of the rubber brackets fixing the engine on the body (that was for vibrations at startup). For the squeaking noise they changed both belts, tensioner and pulleys, all of this on the warranty.
"So, it's possible" I said and started the car. All is ok now, squeaking gone, rough and erratic idle gone, but I don't trust the bastards, so I will report back to them in 2 weeks. They washed up my car as well.
That much for a problem which could have been solved the second time I visited dealer. But here in Quebec you have to yell to get things done...
No sweat guys, next time I go I will know how to approach the problem...

Thanks for patience,
A sick and tired of mechanics (oil changers) mazda 3 owner

 

[stumblemazda07]

i need help my 2007 Mazda3 sport GT has 18,000km on it 2.3L 5 speed and a month ago it started idling rough and even rough through various rpm ranges, i am very keen on any changes in my cars and i also noticed that it was taking an extra crank or two to start it as well. it also has a pretty good tick to it too. the check engine light came on eventually as well saying "cylinder 3 misfire detected" the last month it has been in and out of the dealer, they kept giving it back to me saying "here you go it's good to go" i get in, fire it up and say to myself "you *****" still runs like ass!, they claimed to have changed valve lash adjusters, plugs, wires, ignition modules, did compression tests, cylinder leak tests, O2 sensor, fuel injectors, and the last time i took it in they said (a week later) "we found the problem, you ECM is giving your fuel injectors the wrong signal" i'm like "sweet" so another week later they get the new ECM in there, and at this point i missed my mazda so much i just drove it for a couple days and it seemed "ok" not perfect, but then today im sittin there idling and the car starts massaging my feet again stumbling away "DAMMIT!" i live 24km from the dealer one way i have been there 8 or so times and have been left without a vehicle several times, spent many many many hours dealing with this crap i'm so tired, WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR!!! :-(

 

[NancyBubbles]

Do you have they skyactive engine. I have the 2014 CX5 and brought it to 2 different dealers and they are telling me that the rough idle is normal...(so basically Mazda purposely built a car to have a rough idle)

 

[MSMS3]

I guess you know that you replied to a post four years old, long before skyactive was invented. Further, this is the sub forum for Mazdaspeed 3 engines - 2.3L turbocharged direct injection engine cars. Probably will not find anyone here with knowledge of your issue. You might want to search the main screen to identify a subforum for skyactive engines.