Snapping Timing Chains

[WWNJCX7]

Not sure if anyone has had this issue here but over on the Edmunds forums there more than a few CX7 owners with timing chain issues. Most of the vehicles have under 30k miles and yet the cars are blowing chains and then mazda giving them the run around when it comes to covering repairs under warranty.

Seems the problems stem from all the sludge buildup in these high temp 2.3 engines or something. I just had my oil changed 2 weeks ago, as usual I check it as soon as I get home and the oil is as black as the old oil. I watched them actually pour in the 5 - 40 clean and new and yet within 2 miles its black and nasty looking. Not sure if this has anything to do with the timing chains, but I am thinking these engines just create SO much sludge its having a detrimental effect on the inner workings of the engine which would include the timing chain.

The more I read about on these threads the more I am thinking I better get out of this car before my turbo blows (already smokes badly) my ac compressor blows, my timing chain brakes or my sunroof explodes as these seem to be common issues.

Thoughts and comments welcome(shrug)

I would strongly suggest that if you are experiencing ANY of these major issues you need to report it !

James O' Sullivan - President and CEO, Mazda North Am Ops
Yasuo Kunita - VP Customer Service, Mazda North Am Ops
Eric Johnston - VP Sale, Service, and Parts, Mazda North Am Ops
Blase De Leo - Regional GM Southeast Region, Mazda North Am Ops
Ron Stettner - Regional GM Midwest Region, Mazda North Am Ops
at the following addresses:

10 Corporate Park, Ste 200
Irvine, CA 92606
and
7755 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618

I recommend that every person suffering from this systemic issue do the same and apply the very appropriate pressure on a car company that has made a great car but with inferior engineering. Warranty will repair this issue and make sure it does not happen again. Anyone else suffering this issue please contact me at mmasterson1gmail.com and we can coordinate a strategic campaign to resolve this issue for other American in this situation.


Derek L. Rinehardt
Safety Defects Engineer / Federal Investigator
U.S Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Defects Investigation, Vehicle Controls Division
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
W48-219, NVS-213
Washington, DC 20590
Office: (202) 366-3642, (877) 536-8368 x63642
Fax: (202) 366-1767
Email: Derek.Rinehardtdot.gov

 

[WWNJCX7]

Keep out the sludge.....

It would seem that these engines create an abundance of sludge due to their design. This excessive sludge is the reason for pre mature timing chain failures, a possible result of engineering this little powerhouse of an engine.

Regardless, I think the sludge could be cleaned if a additive is added just prior to oil change that would help loosen it up and flush out with the old oil. Anyone have any suggestions as to what might work best.

I for one am very concerned about this condition, immediately after my last oil change the new oil was already black with only running the engine for 1 minute. This tells me that there is some serious sludge going on inside this puppy.

Thoughts and comments welcome

by the way I have run syntec in the car since 3500 miles, currently 24k on her

 

[hevysrf]

40k on 07 gt, mobil 1 since 1k, no problems, I have been sending oil samples to blackstone labs, will post next results. MartyD