NEW 08 MS3 Problems

[TSeavert]

Hi Everyone,

I have an 08 MS3, approx 500 miles on it. It seems to have lost power. I've been taking it easy on it, just alittle punch here and there. Manual says no special breakin required, but no full throttle starts, long times at high rpm etc for the first 600 miles. Last week I noticed what I thought was an apparent lack of power. I thought maybe I was just getting adapted to the car, but now I'm Sure it has a power decrease.

Could it be the fuel?

Any response would be helpful.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Super Unique]

fuel plays a major role in the performance. Keep good quality 93 octane in the tank and it will reward you for it. Also, when you say lack of power are we speaking of not coming on full boost, could you be getting on the throttle outside of the 2700-6000rpm range? Lack in power compared to what? More specific information would be needed to help you figure out whats going on.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Check your piping possibly? Sounds like a boost leak of some kind. Although, i'm a complete newb when it comes to turbos, i'd imagine it would be that if he had lost power.

 

[TSeavert]

Thanks for the replies. I did start to notice the power loss after filling the car up for the first time. I did use 93 oct but who knows whats pumped out of those pumps.

As for the power loss, say 3rd gear @ 3000, you could press the accelerator modestly and the car would accelerate pretty good, a little turbo lag (which I think is normal, maybe .5-1 sec lag) but now it really doesn't have that torque pull that would accelerate the car and pull you back into the seat. Boost doesn't really want to kick in until higher rpms, and then its not that strong. It also feels like the engine may be sputtering or bucking a little.

Any ideas on how to get started getting to the root of this?

The tank is almost empty, should I refuel with say some Shell premium? Does the gas make that much of a difference from one premium version to the next?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[oaklandopen]

it may be possible that you just got some bad gas (don't laugh). im pretty good about getting my fuel from reputable places. and by that i mean i don't to wawas, bj's, acmes, cuz i honestly don't know where they get their gas from.

another good tip is to never go to a station where you see the fuel truck filling up the tanks, as this will lead to all the junk settled at the bottom to stir up and end up going into your tank as well. this may not pose an immediate problem due to the fuel filter, but the life of the filter will be lessened.

make sure all your accessories (mainly your A/C system) is off on your car and test it again. do a couple 3rd gear pulls and see if you feel much of a difference.

 

[TSeavert]

I'm gonna go refuel tonight at Shell. As far as the AC, didn't seem to make a difference, I did give it a try. Besides the car pulled very good when the ac was on.

I sure hope that is just the gas, the performance is what sold me on the car.

Thanks again for the replies.

Tom

 

[USMC98]

Take it to a track and run the 1/4. If you aren't running at least 14.5 then there's a problem.

 

[ottawaP5]

Take it to a track and run the 1/4. If you aren't running at least 14.5 then there's a problem.

Then just bring the time slip to the dealer and show them that there's a problem lol.

 

[TonyMS3]

mine did the exact same thing, I had the ecu reflashed for the fuel map (there is a TSB on it) and the car is much smoother and very consistent with power now. Don't drive it anymore than you have to without the reflash, it's your car intermittently running low fuel pressure to the injectors.

 

[TonyMS3]

http://www.mrlilguycdfps.com/random/4208HPFP_TSB.pdf

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123703295&highlight=tsb+fuel+pump

 

[mo08ms3]

http://www.mrlilguycdfps.com/random/4208HPFP_TSB.pdf

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123703295&highlight=tsb+fuel+pump

Thats weird. I have an 08.5 and I am thinking that I have the same problem. Service bulletin says its for MS3's produced before 11/19/07. Mine was produced after that but the VIN seems to fall in with the ones affected.

Thanks for the link!

 

[SRT-4EATER]

hey MO08ms3 where can i find those VIN numbers you were talkin about. Because i have an 08 but i dont seem to be having that problem (knock on wood), but i just want to make sure i dont!

v/r Srt-4 eater
-Speed kills!!!! Save a Life Drive A SRT-4!!! LOL-

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

My VIN falls in line with that as well, but i'm experiencing none of those issues.

I think this goes without saying but i'll say it anyhow-- Don't rush to service centers if you don't have to. Regardless of what updates are available, and regardless if it applies to your vehicle, you should really only go if the symptoms are there, or if it's a safety issue.

The less your car is worked on, the better. It creates more problems in the future when more parts have been tinkered with by service techs, especially ones who don't really do a thorough or respectful job (ie. tightening bolts properly).

 

[mo08ms3]

hey MO08ms3 where can i find those VIN numbers you were talkin about. Because i have an 08 but i dont seem to be having that problem (knock on wood), but i just want to make sure i dont!

v/r Srt-4 eater
-Speed kills!!!! Save a Life Drive A SRT-4!!! LOL-

The top link (of the two above) shows the actual bulletin issued by Mazda. They discuss the models & VIN's affected on that.

 

[niz55]

my good man is time for a cai. U can only do the re flash if ur cel goes on.

 

[TonyMS3]

my good man is time for a cai. U can only do the re flash if ur cel goes on.

That's not true at all. I have never had my cel go on. I just told the dealer that I was experiencing intermittent power loss and hesitation at part throttle. I showed them the TSB, they thanked me for printing the TSB for them and did the reflash.

 

[Super Unique]

That's not true at all. I have never had my cel go on. I just told the dealer that I was experiencing intermittent power loss and hesitation at part throttle. I showed them the TSB, they thanked me for printing the TSB for them and did the reflash.

did it solve your problem?

 

[TonyMS3]

did it solve your problem?

and then some. I was just hoping to get the intermittent power loss fixed, and I was very pleasantly surprised that the car was much, much smoother with power delivery all the way to red line. Acceleration is dead solid now to about 6k before it tapers at all.