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Auto Talk => The Garage => Topic started by: Byteme on May 02, 2008, 06:41:50 AM

Title: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Byteme on May 02, 2008, 06:41:50 AM
I go out to the garage to go to work.  While bcking out of the garage a notice puddle of black fluid just inside where the right front wheel was.  Take another car to work. 

Jack up the car and find the source is the fluid filled engine mount on the upper right side of the engine has leaked out all of its juice.  Call the Mazda dealer and find out the part is about $80.00.  Also find out it's covered under warranty for 50,000 miles.  So the car goes in the shop Monday. 

So, if you have a Mazda 3 and notice a bit of black oily fluid under your car check to see if the engine mount has leaked.  The dealer tells me this is pretty common thing to have happen.   
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Northlands on May 02, 2008, 08:40:19 AM
I'm somewhat familiar with the Mazda 3's engine bay in a bad way. My brother owns one and I find that area tighter than an accountant's grip on his wallet.  :lol:

I should get my brother to get that checked out. Haven't noticed any fluid from his car yet, but if its common better to find out now. He's trying to sell the car this summer.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Danish on May 02, 2008, 07:59:11 PM
I assume they would replace the part with a beefier unit no?

Out of curiosity, do you know if this will happen?
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: S204STi on May 02, 2008, 09:54:29 PM
Many manufacturers use liquid filled motor mounts these days.  This is not uncommon.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: FordSVT on May 02, 2008, 10:48:56 PM
Does the 2.0 and 2.3 share the same type of mounts?
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: sportyaccordy on May 03, 2008, 12:28:44 PM
Ugh. Polyurethane mounts for me please
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: S204STi on May 03, 2008, 07:48:43 PM
Quote from: sportyaccordy on May 03, 2008, 12:28:44 PM
Ugh. Polyurethane mounts for me please

I just love feeling every little engine vibration throughout the entire vehicle.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: 280Z Turbo on May 03, 2008, 11:50:07 PM
Quote from: R-inge on May 03, 2008, 07:48:43 PM
I just love feeling every little engine vibration throughout the entire vehicle.

They can be made with lower durometers.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Soup DeVille on May 03, 2008, 11:52:25 PM
Quote from: R-inge on May 03, 2008, 07:48:43 PM
I just love feeling every little engine vibration throughout the entire vehicle.

Then go with aluminum mounts, or just fuck it and weld the damned thing to something sturdy.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: 280Z Turbo on May 03, 2008, 11:53:39 PM
Quote from: Soup DeVille on May 03, 2008, 11:52:25 PM
Then go with aluminum mounts, or just fuck it and weld the damned thing to something sturdy.

Like cracks much? :lol:
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Soup DeVille on May 03, 2008, 11:54:26 PM
Hell, if they all tend to leak: let 'em.

Then when all the factory liquid has leaked out, find a way to refill them with RTV sealant. That way, it'll stay liquid, but seal it's own leaks.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Soup DeVille on May 03, 2008, 11:55:15 PM
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on May 03, 2008, 11:53:39 PM
Like cracks much? :lol:

Everybody's a whiner these days...
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: 280Z Turbo on May 04, 2008, 12:02:11 AM
Quote from: Soup DeVille on May 03, 2008, 11:55:15 PM
Everybody's a whiner these days...

Maybe if you were a real engineer you'd know about crack propogation in metal from excessive harshness and vibration. :lol:
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Soup DeVille on May 04, 2008, 12:08:11 AM
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on May 04, 2008, 12:02:11 AM
Maybe if you were a real engineer you'd know about crack propogation in metal from excessive harshness and vibration. :lol:

Small price to pay for that warm vibratory feeling deep down in the guttiwuts.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: S204STi on May 04, 2008, 09:45:44 AM
Quote from: Soup DeVille on May 04, 2008, 12:08:11 AM
Small price to pay for that warm vibratory feeling deep down in the guttiwuts.

I'm going out right now to get 100 durometer polyurethane suspension bushings and solid motor mounts.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: MrH on May 04, 2008, 10:34:38 AM
Quote from: R-inge on May 03, 2008, 07:48:43 PM
I just love feeling every little engine vibration throughout the entire vehicle.

...pussy  :evildude:
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: CJ on May 04, 2008, 12:02:45 PM
My brother just bought aluminum motor mounts for the Integra.  Is this a bad thing?
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Secret Chimp on May 04, 2008, 01:14:01 PM
Quote from: CJ on May 04, 2008, 12:02:45 PM
My brother just bought aluminum motor mounts for the Integra.  Is this a bad thing?

Unless he plans on doing something to the motor to necessitate such, it's a waste of time and money.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: 280Z Turbo on May 04, 2008, 01:53:57 PM
Quote from: CJ on May 04, 2008, 12:02:45 PM
My brother just bought aluminum motor mounts for the Integra.  Is this a bad thing?

Yes.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: S204STi on May 04, 2008, 05:31:46 PM
Quote from: CJ on May 04, 2008, 12:02:45 PM
My brother just bought aluminum motor mounts for the Integra.  Is this a bad thing?

What is it with Intrega owners?
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Soup DeVille on May 04, 2008, 05:33:02 PM
Quote from: R-inge on May 04, 2008, 05:31:46 PM
What is it with Intrega owners?

They're obsessed with spending money on their cars for "performance" things that make no appreciable difference in performance?
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: r0tor on May 04, 2008, 05:34:05 PM
how can stress cracks in your chassis from engine vibrations be a bad thing?
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: S204STi on May 04, 2008, 05:34:51 PM
Quote from: Soup DeVille on May 04, 2008, 05:33:02 PM
They're obsessed with spending money on their cars for "performance" things that make no appreciable difference in performance?

Ah yes, that's it.

Although I could say the same thing about many other enthusiast owners.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: S204STi on May 04, 2008, 05:36:13 PM
Quote from: r0tor on May 04, 2008, 05:34:05 PM
how can stress cracks in your chassis from engine vibrations be a bad thing?

I think you get more horsepower at the wheels by just letting the engine rest any which way in the vehicle anyway.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Soup DeVille on May 04, 2008, 05:37:15 PM
Quote from: R-inge on May 04, 2008, 05:34:51 PM
Ah yes, that's it.

Although I could say the same thing about many other enthusiast owners.

I suppose you're right. For some it's a vice. For others however, it's an art form.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: r0tor on May 04, 2008, 05:40:33 PM
its hard sometimes explaining to someone how a part meant for a race car may not be good for a street car....
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Secret Chimp on May 04, 2008, 07:43:47 PM
A Honda parts site called TASAuto sells stainless fender screws for that "clean custom look." I'm not kidding. BODY HARDWARE.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: S204STi on May 04, 2008, 08:45:26 PM
Quote from: Secret Chimp on May 04, 2008, 07:43:47 PM
A Honda parts site called TASAuto sells stainless fender screws for that "clean custom look." I'm not kidding. BODY HARDWARE.

That's alright, we have plenty of useless silicone hoses and "V-Limited" chin spoilers.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: CJ on May 04, 2008, 09:36:17 PM
So the mounts are aluminum but the bushings are polyurethane.  Is that bad?
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: S204STi on May 04, 2008, 10:01:14 PM
Quote from: CJ on May 04, 2008, 09:36:17 PM
So the mounts are aluminum but the bushings are polyurethane.  Is that bad?

It's better.  They're still wicked stiff.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: MrH on May 04, 2008, 11:17:01 PM
Quote from: R-inge on May 04, 2008, 10:01:14 PM
It's better.  They're still wicked stiff.

Some cars are much better off with them though.  I'm probably going to be getting front, rear, and side motor mounts for my car.  I'll probably end up with aluminum mounts with polyurethane bushings.  Just get a lower durometer.  Yeah, there'll be some vibration, but as it is, Protege's eat through motor mounts, and have really bad wheel hop that's supposedly mostly solved with new motor mounts.
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: S204STi on May 05, 2008, 07:48:00 PM
Quote from: MrH on May 04, 2008, 11:17:01 PM
Some cars are much better off with them though.  I'm probably going to be getting front, rear, and side motor mounts for my car.  I'll probably end up with aluminum mounts with polyurethane bushings.  Just get a lower durometer.  Yeah, there'll be some vibration, but as it is, Protege's eat through motor mounts, and have really bad wheel hop that's supposedly mostly solved with new motor mounts.

If it has an advantage and you can deal with the NVH, then go for it.  I know I wouldn't do it, but then my car doesn't have wheel hop issues. :lol:
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Byteme on May 06, 2008, 08:06:29 AM
I took in in yesterday morning for repairs.  They told me it wouldn't be long so I decided to wait.  The mechanic started on it at 8:00 AM.  At 8:15 I was handed the keys told they would mail me the paperwork.   It's a pretty good Mazda dealership.   :lol:
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: S204STi on May 06, 2008, 08:41:53 PM
Sweet!
Title: Re: A Mazda 3 weak point
Post by: Submariner on May 07, 2008, 09:42:06 AM
Quote from: CJ on May 04, 2008, 12:02:45 PM
My brother just bought aluminum motor mounts for the Integra.  Is this a bad thing?

Yes.  The engine will seize, then blow up.