White stretch limos seemed to me to be the height of ostentation and bad taste, but today I saw in Cheadle Hulme something to cap it. To stretch a Cadillac is one thing, at least some people will hire them for weddings, but a grey Jeep? I saw it from a distance, but that is what it looked like. Read more

Hi guys,

Been a while since I have dropped into the forum to post anything, do still get time to read your posts occasionally.

I thought this particular problem merited a few words in the forum. I bought a brand new Mazda 3 for leoness back in July this year. From the word go I didn't think it "pulled" as well as the demonstrator I drove, which was identical in every respect except colour. So from new the motor in my opinion always suffered from a bit of lag under acceleration.

After about three months (4,500 miles) I went to pull out of where we live, I pressed on the accelerator and nothing happened. I repeated this and the same - nothing. On the third attempt the car pulled away normally. I took the car to my local dealer who told me nothing was stored in the fault memory, but there was a software upgrade from Mazda which they would install. Software installed and the problem has not re-occured.

About three weeks later pulling out of same junction, the amount of lag seemed more noticable than usual. As I accelerated, I discovered the car would not exceed 3,000 RPM. nocked her out of gear and gently brought the revs up again, she would still not exceed 3,000 out of gear.

I switched her off then back on and the fault had gone. Took car back to the dealer again and it was the same explanation. No fault recorded and Mazda had released another software upgrade. - Starting to think Bill Gates is a shareholder in Mazda!!!

Over the next month or so the same problem moves from being intermittent to persistant, but with two new symptoms. The temperature gauge never moves of the cold extreme, and the glow plug waring light stays on until you start the engine. I booked the car into the dealership where it was bought, commenting that I believe this to be a safety issue and Ideally would like it replaced before it gets me or my other half wrote off. The dealer asked for the opportunity to check the car over before any exchange of merchandise would be considered.

The day after the car was booked in Mazda released a Technical Bulletin stating the symptoms above, and recommend replacing the air flow meter. The tech at Mazda showed me the bulletin and explained what was proposed as a workaround. Mazda recommend replacing the air flow sensor and the pipe which connects to the rocker cover vent. seemingly an excessive vacuum is created in the narrow pipe connected to the rocker cover which draws oil into the pipe leading to the air flow meter and knackers it.

They could not explain the association with the temperature always reading cold, so they replaced the sender unit anyway, and explained the glow plug light was just a warning which the handbook states refer to the dealer. Once again nothing was recorded in the fault memory.

I got the car back on Saturday and drove about 30 miles in her. The lag was no better than when the car was new, but the other problems were out of her. There is now a total of just over 6,000 miles on the car and tonight all the previous faults are back again.

Firstly is it unreasonable to request a new replacement car of the same model.

What do you think are my chances?

Would you advise that I allow the dealer another opportunity to rectify the fault bearing in mind he is likely to replace the same parts yet again.

We sold a trouble free TDI golf to buy this bag of nails.... now I am haunted by VW's advertising slogan. If only everything in life were as reliable as a Volkswagen!!!

Your comments are welcom either here or by e-mail to - rightclickit@btinternet.com

Perplexed,
Leon Read more

It is interesting to see that discounts are now available on the new Focus at autobytel.co.uk. However, there are still none to be had at drivethedeal.com.

There is better news from drivethedeal.com on the new C5, however, as they now have some very good discounts on the revised versions. Read more

At

www.alldata.com/

there's a treasure trove of technical bulletins listed and available for a modest subscription fee.

Anyone with an MB 104 engine of 3.2 litres may be interested in

www.alldata.com/TSB/35/95359221.html
18_045 NOV 95 Oil - Engine Oil Capacity Reduced

which apparently specifies a reduction of oil capacity from 7.5 litres (as per handbook) to 7 litres to avoid problems with oil seals and leaks. Perhaps this eases or eliminates the 100k head-gasket problem reported by HJ in the Car-by-Car Breakdown. Read more

Hi all, I have a pug 306 and the gear stick is very wobbly. It goes into gear find but you can move it left about 1/2 inch and right about 1/2 inch. It doesn't cause a problem just veru annoying! Is there anything I can do to tighten it. Thanks. Read more