Yet another blown engine: POLL- how many?

[nictlg7]

**I was wondering how many engines have blown so far? How many blown engines have we all heard of so far?**
I should have updated everyone sooner on my situation. Here it is though, I blew my engine over the holiday. I have had mine in the shop since the first week I bought it complaining of coolant leaks, hesitation, grinding noises, etc. It was revving high, and so we decided to take it to a better dealership (Browning in Cerritos), since Don Kott (Carson) lost its franchise. (Go figure, the Pre-Delivery inspection was done terribly, they didn't even fill my washer fluid or check that leak in the coolant, or clean the black sticky stuff from my paint) At any rate, the car died on the way to Browning, and had to be towed there. A clutch, throw out bearing, some radiator hoses, and coolant hoses all were replaced, and the flywheel resurfaced. The car went in on a Monday, I got it back Thursday night. Friday night, I drove from California to Las Vegas (about 4 hours). With average highway speeds, the engine blew a hole in the rod. I have never taken my car to the track or even street raced anyone. So there is no way they can say it was customer abuse. They are saying some ground straps were disconnected, and my gauges and oil cap were "modifications" that may have changed settings. BS...Anyone have any input, has anyone been able to overcome these problems?

 

[nictlg7]

Just a quick update. I went to Vegas, rented a U-haul, towed the vehicle back to Cerritos, California, and dropped it off at Browning Mazda. They assured me that if I let them remove the engine and disassemble it, they would set up an inspection with a Mazda tech or engineer. They removed both the engine and trans, and said something about cylinder #4 being fried. They said the piston was melted or something. They tried to blame it on me also, saying the vehicle was driven at high speeds, or at wide open throttle for long periods of time. I once again reminded them I commute on the 405 (the most dreaded highway in the world, total deadlocked traffic every day). I also asked them about the condition of my tires. The tires have never even squealed, so how hard was I driving the car? They had no answers as to how they are claiming I drove the car hard. I didn't bother to remind them the car is a turbo, and meant to be driven. I figured that would make it look like I did drive it hard. Also, the hold music when you are waiting forever for Mazda CA is "Zoom Zoom Zoom". However, you see my signature. Please let me know if anyone else has been hassled because they are young and driving this car, or if they dealer has denied you any warranty repairs. I am building my case, hoping to make things better for all of us. Please let me know! Thanks!

 

[dominoy2k1]

for my mp3 it was a coolant leak. guess s*** happens when its a custom kit.

 

[Kooldino]

for my mp3 it was a coolant leak. guess s*** happens when its a custom kit.

WTF? When did you ditch your car?

 

[jaje]

they have to prove that your mods caused the problem (cases they can prove are short shifter leads to worn out synchros)...if they can't then they have to repair the car under the normal warranty

from what i've found is mazda is like this...they sell the "zoom zoom" car have these little sponsored autocrosses and sell a vehicle that cannot hold up to a customer doing these things...they then deny respecting the warranty...i'm wondering if mazda was like this before ford bought them as lots of stang owners have a lot of engine warranty issues denied b/c of customer abuse (what is the car for then?...v8 rwd...come on...make it durable at least)

this has lead me to most likely not purchase another mazda in the future...i've had several times i have brought in other cars to their respective dealers and did not get the "abuse" case...but those cars were fortunately very durable and reliable (not the case with my mp5 as its tranny is one of the worst i've owned and its engine is so loud and unrefined straight from the factory)

 

[enry]

If you were so inclined you could go to court and challenge the car manufacturers on the basis that they market the vehicle as a sports car, but refuse to warranty when it is driven as a sports car!! In many other situations this could be considered quite funny! Someone should organize a class action suit on behalf of people who were denied warranty work on a sports car on the basis that it was driven "at high speeds or WOT".

jaje: Before you run to another brand, my friend almost got denied his warranty on his RSX type S. In that case, we were at the track running a quarter mile, no redlining, no power shifting, only intake on the car. So you may get screwed no matter where you go.

My message to the manufacturers--if the car can't handle a quarter mile run (bear in mind, it's 15 seconds of heavy driving for 15 minutes of idling) then <b><big><big>FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T USE THE QUARTER MILE TIME FOR MARKETING!!!!</big></big></b>

 

[Brian MP5T]

I'm sorry to hear about your #4 piston.

 

[bazooka joe]

19 blown engines? i see 7?

 

[changedman]

i blew my #4 piston as well.

 

[boostisgood]

Ther has been more then 19 eninges blown, just many wont post about it.

 

[NoahFex]

I blew mine.

 

[vodapas77]

Anyone remember that little sign they hung on the MSP's sunvisor when it was on the lot? It said "This car is built for Speed. Are you?" Right. Should have had a little disclaimer that said the car is built for speed, but any driver that is will be refused warranty coverage. lol. I love the car and even if I blow an engine I will still love it. I just hate the way Mazda has promoted the car one way and supported it (or lack there of) a completely different way.

 

[Brian MP5T]

^^^ Funny. BTW: Thoes pictures almost made me cry. Sad s***. Sorry to all those who had to expierence this s***.

 

[NoahFex]

^^^ Funny. BTW: Thoes pictures almost made me cry. Sad s***. Sorry to all those who had to expierence this s***.

It goes hand-in-hand with race-cars

 

[kylenls]

mine blew the #2 piston and the #3 and #4 both had bad pitting on the top i also bent two valves. needless to say i got it back and its running fine now i am just not going to drive it hard anymore and try to run a higher octane of gasoline.

 

[nictlg7]

mine blew the #2 piston and the #3 and #4 both had bad pitting on the top i also bent two valves. needless to say i got it back and its running fine now i am just not going to drive it hard anymore and try to run a higher octane of gasoline.

Did you get this all replaced under your warranty?
I have good news for everyone, I have an engine on the way!!
I had to go through about everyone that works at Mazda Consumer Affairs, the Service Manager/Director of both dealerships in Las Vegas and Cerritos, as well as the General Manager @ Browning (Cerritos). Then I had to file two Better Business Bureau cases, one at the main website, and one over the phone with the LA regional office. Those people were pretty quick, Mazda received that file within about 2 days. I was able to get in touch with the girl at Consumer Compliance (arbitrations), before she was able to even look at my file (I am resourceful). She had to wait a few days to hear back from some specialist. It was already a good day, because I had an interview with a really sweet Production Studio in Orange County that afternoon. I had taken the day off work for it. I got the call right before I got to the interview, Carol told me she had good news for me. She said she spoke to her specialist, and was able to get an engine approved. It was ordered that day, and then they found out it was on "intergalactic backorder". Stupid special build vehicle, the parts are so rare! They hope to see it within a week, since they are paying to have it rushed to the dealership. They are treating it as "Goodwill", since they don't feel it was a failure of the engine. I think that is BS, but I am not saying anything right now, because I just want my car back. It was only 3 months old, and it has been gone since Dec. 19th. At any rate, I will let everyone know what the final turnout is. For now though, this is looking like a good thing for us. I did not have any engine modifications or anything. However, even my gauges and turbo timer seemed to be enough to make them think I did. So I would suggest to anyone who has had any problems with their car, do not have any modifications on it when you take it in for service. I will let you know how this turns out. Keep your fingers crossed for me...Thanks! I will be Zooming again soon, I hope!! (wrc)

 

[SPOOND]

I slung # 4 rod completly out of the block and my piston was wedged siedways in the cylinder wall

 

[nictlg7]

I slung # 4 rod completly out of the block and my piston was wedged siedways in the cylinder wall

Ouch, and your engine was stock? What did the dealer do to fix your vehicle? I had to go through BBB to get my S/B even!! I have been waiting for like 7 weeks also (Dec. 19th is when the engine blew).

 

[LinuxRacr]

I guess it's time I added to this thread. I've blown 2 engines. The 1st one, I melted a piston due to an ignorant use of nitrous. The 2nd engine broke a rod and buzz-sawed my block. Here are the pictures from both incidents:

Rod Broke

The attachements below ar from my original engine. Notice the spar-plug! Nitrous owned it.

 

[kylenls]

linux how did it happen the second time?