New engine replacement already!!!!!

[pro5]

I purchased a 2003 Mazda Protege 5 and the engine already needs to be replaced due to defective parts (covered under warranty). I have only 14,213 kms on it too!

The reason for the new engine is a wrist pin in one of the cylinders has become loose or there is now too much clearance in the cyclinder walls. So Mazda is replacing the whole short block

Can anyone tell me if I should be more concerned about the engine replacement in terms of what could possibly be wrong even further as a result of the defective parts?

Has anyone else needed a new engine with the same problem my car had?

Thanks.

pro5

 

[PeaB0dy]

I have had all the gearing in my car replaced because of a broken reverse fork @ 11,000 Km..

The funny thing is the service manager of the Dealershit where I bought it said it was normal, to be able to go from 5th to reverse with out going into neutral.

You have to remember that these things do happen, not every car may be tested off the line (I know for a fact honda does, but they still suck!!). For all you know the grain in the metal was off by a few degrees in the cast, causing too much stress, and there is the damage.

Think of how many P5's have been made, and how many may have probs, and may not. you got hit with a problem, sucks, that's for sure, but Protege's in general are reliable cars.

Look at it this way, your car is getting attention drawn to it, so they have to make sure things work..

I know it sucks, but Mazda should also provide you with a car if it's gonna be in for 5 days..

I still love my P5, this car is a love affair...

 

[Coqui258]

How did you know you needed to get your engine replaced? Some type of noise?

 

[1ofdfew323]

damn! i wish that s*** aint gonna happen to my car..

 

[pro5]

Re: New Engine Replacement

Yeah I knew something was wrong. When I took off in 1st gear and hit 3000rpm the engine would not hesitate but would kind of make a knocking sound.....I would then shift into 2nd and again at 3000rpm the same thing would happen.

I monitored this and reported it to the dealershit as soon as I heard something. The dealership couldn't diagnose the problem until I left it there overninght and they ran it cold.

So....they were able to diagnose it after and then gave me the great news.

It bothers me that:
1. My new car experience is shot to hell
2. The dealership GM and Mazda are both shrugging it off like its no problem....lets just replace the engine and get the customer out of here.....not lets make this a better situation for the customer and maybe say "Lets give him a deal on service next time he comes in.....or lets give him a deal on parts".

The dealership I go to doesn't even have courtesy cars! It is my opinion that the dealership really doesn't care about customer service.

I even suggested to Mazda that my wife and I would trade in the Pro 5 buy two new Mazdaspeed's and give us a better trade in value for the car......The dealership would have nothing to do of it!

Can you believe it? I bought 1 pro5, want to but two more Mazdaspeed's and they are still not willing to do it!

 

[Turbo Matty P]

EVERY mazda dealership has a loaner vehicle program...EVERY 03 mazda came with loaner car service....demand a 6 to drive in the meantime. Midsize sedan is standard rental fleet and dealerships always have swarms of 6 demo cars....

just inform them that the manner in which this is being handled has made you decide to never support their dealership or their manufacturer again. You will purchase a nissan from now on. Tell them to enjoy the warranty work they just completed because their techs wont be touching your vehicle anymore.

 

[pro5]

RE: New Engine Replacement

I should check the warranty information from Mazda regarding the courtesy car.

I have told the dealership GM about my displeasure and I have had no response. I was not rude, etc. I just plainly told him in a slightly elevated and concerned voice that I will not deal with the dealership again or for that matter purchase a new vehicle from either Mazda or the dealership.

I wish I owned a dealership. I would eat bad dealerships like this for lunch just by implementing the best customer service, etc by sacrificing slight margins on product. Then we would see who enjoys repeat business and puts the other dealerships to shame. If the dealership would of just been the littlest bit concerned about my situation instead of confrontational then I would not be so pissed.

 

[VPower]

Re: RE: New Engine Replacement

man...i feel your pain... do you have access to another dealership?

as for me, I switched to another dealer..

I should check the warranty information from Mazda regarding the courtesy car.

I have told the dealership GM about my displeasure and I have had no response. I was not rude, etc. I just plainly told him in a slightly elevated and concerned voice that I will not deal with the dealership again or for that matter purchase a new vehicle from either Mazda or the dealership.

I wish I owned a dealership. I would eat bad dealerships like this for lunch just by implementing the best customer service, etc by sacrificing slight margins on product. Then we would see who enjoys repeat business and puts the other dealerships to shame. If the dealership would of just been the littlest bit concerned about my situation instead of confrontational then I would not be so pissed.

 

[elfhearse]

Loaner car is included in the new car warranty. It's right there on the window sticker.
Reminds me of my 99 Miata. #4 bearing insert was machined too deep on a bunch of engines and crank would start to wobble with accompanying "death rattle". Mazda had a "secret" TSB on 99 and later 2000 models for this. They also replaced the short block to fix the problem.

 

[pro5]

RE: New Engine Replacement

What is the "short block"? What parts does it consist of?

 

[Brian MP5T]

^^^^^ The Cast Iron Block under the Aluminum Head...

Where the pistons are.

 

[pro5]

Brian

I am planning on installing a turbo.

Could you provide me with any information regarding the system you use and what concerns I should have?

We get super cold temp's here in Canada as you know so is there concern about running a turbo? I want to keep my car as my toy and daily driver.

thanks,
pro5

 

[azeli73]

Good point was made. You don't have to have the same dealer you bought your car from replace your block. Shop around. Check the Better Business Bureau for customer service records. I had to get a TBA issue looked at and took it to a place I knew and liked as far as service. Best of luck and remember you ARE covered with a loaner car.

 

[PR5Matt]

I have had all the gearing in my car replaced because of a broken reverse fork @ 11,000 Km..

The funny thing is the service manager of the Dealershit where I bought it said it was normal, to be able to go from 5th to reverse with out going into neutral.

You have to remember that these things do happen, not every car may be tested off the line (I know for a fact honda does, but they still suck!!). For all you know the grain in the metal was off by a few degrees in the cast, causing too much stress, and there is the damage.

Think of how many P5's have been made, and how many may have probs, and may not. you got hit with a problem, sucks, that's for sure, but Protege's in general are reliable cars.

Look at it this way, your car is getting attention drawn to it, so they have to make sure things work..

I know it sucks, but Mazda should also provide you with a car if it's gonna be in for 5 days..

I still love my P5, this car is a love affair...

About that Honda thing. You might want to look at this:
http://members.tripod.com/~juan_espero/hype.html

and this:
http://members.tripod.com/~juan_espero/hype.html

 

[Brian MP5T]

Re: Brian

I am planning on installing a turbo.

Could you provide me with any information regarding the system you use and what concerns I should have?

We get super cold temp's here in Canada as you know so is there concern about running a turbo? I want to keep my car as my toy and daily driver.

thanks,
pro5

(canada)

If you go to the "Forced Induction" section you will find a thread I started this past summer called "Custom Turbo (Bla Bla)..." I can't remember the exact name but it is about 5 or so pages of discussion about my car. If you have any questions please feel free to post them there. It will bump the thread and I will see that you posted. That way if another person had the same question it will be answered rather than just PM'ing each other.

Hope the thread helps and I don't think there is any problem with a Turbo in the winter. I don't drive mine in the winter. Too many expensive aluminium bits to keep away from road salt.

(p5white)

 

[1ofdfew323]

Re: Re: Brian

(canada)

If you go to the "Forced Induction" section you will find a thread I started this past summer called "Custom Turbo (Bla Bla)..." I can't remember the exact name but it is about 5 or so pages of discussion about my car. If you have any questions please feel free to post them there. It will bump the thread and I will see that you posted. That way if another person had the same question it will be answered rather than just PM'ing each other.

Hope the thread helps and I don't think there is any problem with a Turbo in the winter. I don't drive mine in the winter. Too many expensive aluminium bits to keep away from road salt.

(p5white)

just wondering how much did it cost u for that turbo?
w/ that turbo can u beat a wrx 1/4 mile? or hit atleast 14.5, 1/4 mile?

 

[grindMARC]

Re: Re: Re: Brian

w/ that turbo can u beat a wrx 1/4 mile? or hit atleast 14.5, 1/4 mile?

i wish i could understand why everyone is so caught up with idea of beating a wrx.

anway, back to the topic... if you're going turbo, aren't there some internals that you should be beefin' up while this short block is being put in?!?! seems like the perfect time to me!

 

[Brian MP5T]

Re: Re: Re: Brian

just wondering how much did it cost u for that turbo?
w/ that turbo can u beat a wrx 1/4 mile? or hit atleast 14.5, 1/4 mile?

The WRX is fast but try not to fear them too much. The STI is a hard pull from 0 and also a hard pull on the highway. It's just hard to beat a guy who has close to 300HP period.

My car really surprised me ( And allot of people who thought they had fast cars ).

Around where I live it's really the only car that has been modified to this level. There are some Talons and some N/A Integras around. No body really wants to throw down on the line. I guess I have pretty much won the race without having one just by showing up. Everyone has either seen it or heard of it. I built the car as a project and a learning experience. As I said, I was surprised with the difference even just 4 Psi made. I started the project 6 months before it was finished. The car was up on blocks for the better part of three months. I had forgotten what it was like to drive. After I got some bugs worked out with the extra injector controller, I started increasing the boost from 4 Psi up 2 Psi and running it for 2 or 3 days to make sure the EIC was set correctly. Gradually I made it to Ten Daily and 12 Psi on a switch. The internals have reduced compression so I will start to play with 15 Psi then I think that will become my High setting for the Boost Controller. The difference between stock and even 10 Psi is an entirely new car. In addition, it sounds very different, my wastegate opens to atmosphere under the hood and I have a Turbo XS RFL-BOV... Really ******* Loud.

It's worth the money if you can spare it. Try not to do this kind of thing to a car that you are going to drive in the winter. I think the car is up to $14,000 (Canadian $$$) more than it was new. You do not have to go this silly, well-chosen minor mods can make a massive difference collectively.

Feel free to ask if you have any more questions

Brian

 

[pro5]

Brian

If I were to go to the HI-Boost kit (don't know of other somewhat reputable systems) could I not run 8-10psi boost and still be able to drive my pro5 as a daily driver in the winter?

pro5

 

[Brian MP5T]

Re: Brian

If I were to go to the HI-Boost kit (don't know of other somewhat reputable systems) could I not run 8-10psi boost and still be able to drive my pro5 as a daily driver in the winter?

pro5

Absolutely, I was just saying that it would be a shame, that's all.