Mazda Diesels -- Really that bad?

[puffnut]

Hi everyone

So I started a thread comparing the honda civic with a mazda 3.

It seemed there was some dispute about Mazda's diesels.

Are they really that bad? It seems strange considering Mazdas are meant to be very reliable, and don't they have the same engines as Fords, who don't seem to have any problems.

I'm trying to work out if its just a few cases being blown out of proportion or if it really is a big deal.

I look forward to your replies
Alex

[V8forweekends]

Try a search of, say a popular motoring forum - here's one I picked at random -

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=110...

They aren't the same engines as Fords, either.

[puffnut]

cheers i'll have a look!

[Bill]

The Mazda 6 diesel is a well known duffer, not so sure about the 3. Have a look on Honest John too.


Although why anyone would want a diesel in a small car is beyond me.

[Pete102]

We have a 2.0d Mazda 3, I wouldnt say the engine is bad but it does require you to keep half an eye on the oil level of the engine and usually an oil change every 6 months.

Nothing major to be honest, its also a reasonable drive and does everything we want/need from it.

[Ali_T]

We've had a CX7 diesel for 4 years and it's now 6 years old. Nothing has gone wrong in the 50,000 miles we've put on it, and I mean nothing!

[MattHall91]

I've just piled 20000 miles on my Mazda 6 2.2d in 7 months. Thrashing it, never checking oil, revving too much for a diesel.
No problems.
Timing belt needed attention but that was the previous owner who didn't get the work done on time. Check to see that's been done and you'll be fine (if you're buying secondhand of course).

[puffnut]

hmm, this is a lot more encouraging than I expected. Say I go for the Mazda (it would be the 2.0d Sport) and I find the oil level rising (DPF) whats the best thing to do? is there an easy fix for catching it early?

[Ali_T]

I just let the wife drive it. The DPF never blocks up. I don't want to know what she does to it!

[Hainey]

puffnut said:

Hi everyone

So I started a thread comparing the honda civic with a mazda 3.

It seemed there was some dispute about Mazda's diesels.

Are they really that bad? It seems strange considering Mazdas are meant to be very reliable, and don't they have the same engines as Fords, who don't seem to have any problems.

I'm trying to work out if its just a few cases being blown out of proportion or if it really is a big deal.

I look forward to your replies
Alex

You seriously don't think Ford diesels have problems? Trust me, they really do.

[Matt UK]

I had a 2004 Mazda 6 2.0d. At 45k the turbo let go.

I've no further details as it was a company car. They gave me something else and then I moved jobs whilst it was still being fixed so I never saw it again.

[Hainey]

hora said:

My window cleaner had to have an engine rebuild on his diesel 6. Apparently its a known problem -not hydro-locking but similar sounding(?).

This was just after he had his DMF etc etc replaced.

Friend of mine wanted one as his next company car, as he said the list of toys was immense on them, as well as them being pretty nice to drive. Unfortunately his HR told him not a chance, as they were fed up with the last lot being off the road needing fixed. Maybe the brand new ones are better? He'll not be finding out though.

[andy-xr]

Hainey said:

You seriously don't think Ford diesels have problems? Trust me, they really do.

I thought that sighlty odd statement as well, though I think they're generally reliable, when they go they seem to rack up a big bill. It's never that the engine falls apart, but injectors, flywheel and fuel pumps are the main ones. I think that's roughly the same as the Mazda engine problems and generally goes across most common rail diesels

[Mr2Mike]

The older Mazda diesels suffered badly from oil dilution due to the DPF regen method. Owners tend to find the oil level increasing over time as more and more of the excess diesel injected to start the regen process makes it's way down to the sump. Not only does the diluted oil not have very good lubrication properties, if the level gets too high it can trigger a diesel run away.

Unless you are doing really significant annual mileage then I'd be looking for a petrol.

[Hainey]

andy-xr said:

Hainey said:

You seriously don't think Ford diesels have problems? Trust me, they really do.

I thought that sighlty odd statement as well, though I think they're generally reliable, when they go they seem to rack up a big bill. It's never that the engine falls apart, but injectors, flywheel and fuel pumps are the main ones. I think that's roughly the same as the Mazda engine problems and generally goes across most common rail diesels

Everyone I know with a Ford Derv has had one of the holy trinity from the above happen. One unlucky sod had all three. That was despite doing everything 'right', serviced on the button, good oil, not using supermarket fuel etc.

It meant at 90k miles the car was pretty much scrap value.

Edited to add it was 104k miles, my mistake, I just texted him to ask. A 2006 ghia x or whatever, it was a really nice car as well. He got £400 for it.

Edited by Hainey on Monday 20th April 11:01

[puffnut]

I think I better go for a Honda Civic 2.2cdti or a Fabia Vrs.
Doesn't really seem worth the risk!!!

[andersp]

MattHall91 said:

I've just piled 20000 miles on my Mazda 6 2.2d in 7 months. Thrashing it, never checking oil, revving too much for a diesel.
No problems.
Timing belt needed attention but that was the previous owner who didn't get the work done on time. Check to see that's been done and you'll be fine (if you're buying secondhand of course).

The MZR-CD 2.2 has chain driven camshafts.

[Heaveho]

Not sure if it affects current models but there was a period of time when Mazda diesels were having real issues with stretched cam chains at low-ish mileage ( 60k ).