Mazda Reflashed my ECU, Now I Am Not Getting a Black Tailpipe!

[fourthmeal]

First, the car runs on 91. 93 would make something like 2 more hp across the board. Second, I alerted a few people to what happened at the Vegas dealership (which is the one he's talking about) a few weeks ago, or so. Cedric (the service advisor) goes above and beyond whats asked of him, and he proactively searched for a reflash when I told him I think the car runs quite rich. Specifically, I pointed out to him that although I don't know the inner workings of the MZR turbo motor, I do know the usual A/F ratio expected of a typical turbo car, say around 12.0 or so. He didn't put it on an EGA to find out what the car was really doing, but he did say he found a reflash available in a service tip email sent to the dealer. NOT a TSB if I recall correctly.

I have direct access to ALL TSB's for any car, and any code that is possible for a car (I work at MPI's Identifix now), and when I looked up the MS3, I found no TSB's. At least ones that would be published to outside sources by a dealer.

However, service tips are sent out regularly, and thats what he used. SUCCESSFULLY I might add, since after the flash my car hauls butt, and doesn't do near as much bogging or smoke-screening behind me when I punch it.

 

[$inCitySpeed3]

What kind of gas are you putting in the car? If it's not 93 octane that could be the problem.

we dont have 93 we have 91...Prime/ideal air/fuel ratio on a boosted car(forced induction) should be 11.8. On a N/a car it's 13.2 or 13.8 having a brain fart

I had my computer reflashed by cedric last monday and i swear to god it took away the BOOST SPIKE(flame) (drive)...The car does feel faster overall, but you do not get the off the line feel anymore

 

[ZoomRedZoomGT]

Can ya ask Cedric what the number of the flash is or maybe where we can tell our local service guys to get it?? Some of us Im sure have service people not as interested in going above and beyond.

 

[SeanMSIII]

we dont have 93 we have 91...Prime/ideal air/fuel ratio on a boosted car(forced induction) should be 11.8. On a N/a car it's 13.2 or 13.8 having a brain fart

I had my computer reflashed by cedric last monday and i swear to god it took away the BOOST SPIKE(flame) (drive)...The car does feel faster overall, but you do not get the off the line feel anymore

Interesting, same thing as the MS6 reflash. Car seemed smoother, maybe even more powerful overall, but lost a kind of ragged edge zzzzing! when you stomped on it.

 

[$inCitySpeed3]

Interesting, same thing as the MS6 reflash. Car seemed smoother, maybe even more powerful overall, but lost a kind of ragged edge zzzzing! when you stomped on it.

oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i'm am so happy someone else feels it...i will do what i can with cedric and check the reciept for yous

 

[dread]

where you been sean, its been a long time since i have seen you on the forums.

 

[SAVAGE70]

My MS3 has about 200 miles on it. Today I experienced the lack of power or boost. Really caught me offguard. But the ambient temps was about 40F. nice cold air, but no power. My tailpipe is getting all black now. I have to call my dealership to see what is going on.

 

[SharkDiver]

Hey all,
I have about 900 miles on mine and the tail pipe is all black with stuff dripping off it.I wipe it off and it comes right back.So I took my car in to mazda and he looked for a new flash and didnt find anything.He said I could make a appointment and they will hook it up and check for a new flash.I kinda thought they would know if they had a new flash or not without hooking the car up but I made a appointment anyways.I take it in on Tue. and he said it shouldnt take more then 45mins.I also did the swiss cheese mod thing to my intake box and a K&N filter,I hope they dont say anything about all the holes.
The car seems to run pretty good beside the black stuff.It does seem to have a misfire or something when Im at idle.I dont really think its a misfire but I dont know what else to call it.It may only do it when the car is cold tho,Im not real sure.

Shark

 

[SeanMSIII]

where you been sean, its been a long time since i have seen you on the forums.

Hey, thanks for asking. Just keeping a lower profile. I was truly obsessed when I first got my 6 and then when the 3 was coming out and I was deciding whether to make the switch, etc. It was a lot of fun and very interesting but I was spending w-a-a-a-a-a-a-y too much time on the forums. Now that things are settling down, I'm getting a better balance and just dive in now and again to keep up on stuff. What a great resource!

 

[dread]

Hey, thanks for asking. Just keeping a lower profile. I was truly obsessed when I first got my 6 and then when the 3 was coming out and I was deciding whether to make the switch, etc. It was a lot of fun and very interesting but I was spending w-a-a-a-a-a-a-y too much time on the forums. Now that things are settling down, I'm getting a better balance and just dive in now and again to keep up on stuff. What a great resource!

Yeah, I hear that. Do you still have the 6 and how are you liking the 3? I love mine.

As for the black stuff on your tail pipe and something that sounds like a misfire at idle, both are normal. The black stuff is caused by unburnt gasoline due to the car running so rich. What sounds like a misfire is probably just the sound of your exhaust as it burbles. This is common on exhausts with a large diameter.

 

[SharkDiver]

As for the black stuff on your tail pipe and something that sounds like a misfire at idle, both are normal. The black stuff is caused by unburnt gasoline due to the car running so rich. What sounds like a misfire is probably just the sound of your exhaust as it burbles. This is common on exhausts with a large diameter.

Thanks,

 

[Mr.Jake]

What kind of gas are you putting in the car? If it's not 93 octane that could be the problem.

I am running 91, that is all we have in Colorado. I was told that the Speed 6 was tuned for 93 octain and the speed3 was tuned for 91 though.

 

[BlackJack]

The Speed3 is tuned for 91 AND UP. Meaning, you can put in a 93 and it ill show a bit of a power boost due to the rich gas.

 

[Mr.Jake]

O I see. Well I am thinking of giving the dealer a call cause the car just doesnt seem to want to pull like it use to. If I hit it hard in second it pulls but it gets no wheel hop and doesnt put you in your seat like before. I have no idea what to do.

 

[knowledge007]

Its amazing how every dealer is different. I took my car in for an oil change and nothing was mentioned a reflash or update or w/e. My tailpipe has been black ever since day one....

 

[RonTonkinMazda]

Its amazing how every dealer is different. I took my car in for an oil change and nothing was mentioned a reflash or update or w/e. My tailpipe has been black ever since day one....

because the only reflash has to do with fixing the p2006 code i don't know why a dealer would do the reflash just because unless there is a p2006 code. they can't just update the ecu without the CEL being on mazda won't pay them for it.

 

[ZMN BY U]

hes right im a service advisor for a VW mazda dealership here in va and that is true. But I did check with a rep and he told me off the record just say your cel came on for a day then went out. tell them about your tail pipe and running issues. Mine idles very high in the morning around 2100 rpms and very rough at idle all the time. It does have some lag in 2nd gear but very strong at higher gears 4th 5th 6th is good. The only problem i see is the traction control cuts the power to the car if you shift it hard and it will bang and loose all power to the wheels or trans. I hope this may help. I will try to get the reflash done next week and Im wating on my cai. If there is any Va people here come see me at Bill Britt vw mazda in fredericksburg

 

[SAVAGE70]

Hello fello Speed3ers whats crackin'? I just talked to a head tech at my Mazda dealer and he says that there might be an update for the ECU. I really hope so cause my gas mileage is hurtin. I will go tomorrow and check it out. I will keep u guys posted. Oh yeah he did say something about the MAF sensor. He said pull out and make sure ther is no crud or junk on the wire. If so just clean it with brake cleaner or carb cleaner and reinstall it.

 

[SharkDiver]

I just got back from the dealer today for running rich and black exhaust stuff.They said there was a reflash so they flashed it.My car has a build date of 10/06 and I just picked it up about 2 weeks ago from the dealer if that makes a difference.
I havent had time to really see if there is a change in the way it runs yet but I will soon.

Shark

 

[camrycev6]

I just asked about this very thing last week. My dealer said there was no reflash for the MS3 right now.