My car has been running well but on 3 occasions over the past two years after long drives in heat, the car loses power and begins misfire at about 6k rpm. NO cause have ever been found by Mazda on checking the PCM. Car runs great at all other times , no trouble starting and have good fuel economy. Plugs coils changed 30k ago.
Took my son out to a party on Saturday, and noted a CEL. Checked under the car and the rear oxygen sensor was glowing red hot. The rest of the cat was normal. NO loss of power at all and the CEL went out next day. Does anyone know what the problem could be?

 

Probably the CAT...

Doesn't need to glow to be clogged :\

 

I've checked mine and it seems in a very dark garage, the O2 sensor mounting has an orange glow to it. Coil packs/spark plugs and leads have been changed from last service schedule.

However, the car seems to be running fine. I haven't checked the CAT before after a "normal" drive. Is this normal or am I due for a CAT replacement?

I think the dude at Mazda quoted me $3000 for a cat replacement part. Luckily I was sitting down!

 

Long time not hear from you dude. Thought you were dead?!

I am sure a high flow cat is on the card? $3000 ain't worth it.

US parts are cheap considering the exchange rate.

 

Not dead yet mate! Been too busy flying around the country. I'm sick of travelling!

Did you do the ATB? I only made it to the BP servo at Avalon before I lost any motivation. Early finish for me... the best part about it is... I can still walk! LOL.

 

Sorry for a bit of OT.

Did you go the other way round again (doing Sorrento first?). I did very well Sunday. 210km @ 6hr 40mins. 8hr 20mins included ferry travel and pit stops. I even sprinted to Queenscliff and back to the Alexander Garden, but did not stick with the 40+kmh group before Geelong.

If you like we can train together for 3 Peak challenge in March

 

taka , do you think it is a cat problem or does the sensor just glow red in the dark?

 

Correct... I reckon the M-S-Q-M is tougher than the anti-clockwise direction. I hit the wall and had nothing left. WEAK!

As for a replacement CAT. I'll check the Metalcat type and get it custom made. I'm just hoping it doesn't throw a CEL with an aftermarket CAT. I have an OBII scanner that would clear the codes... but I am just too lazy to do it everytime the CEL pops up. I prefer a solution that works.

 

Have to find out what the code was. It may not be cat related if it happens only once.

The cat will get over 600 degree in normal conditions. So sensor see red may be normal.

It is tough Sunday in clockwise direction because there is a southwesterly wind all day. I had a tail wind from Geelong to Queenscliff and pretty much from Sorrento to Mt Martha and then at Brighton. Which is pretty rare. The group in anti direction is stronger and bigger too.

Get organised in May next year. A lot of riders signed in the 250km one after 210km anticlockwise filled to get the ferry spot but only did 210.

What cat you are getting?

The position of the sensor is the key I think to get no CEL.

 

I am looking at getting one of the Japanese made CATs available in the Japan Parts website. Not sure whether any of these will throw a CEL once installed. I notice that some designs have the o2 sensor mounted after the CAT.

I am also tempted in trying a Metalcat unit and have it custom made. I am not sure if this is the best option as I know the location where to mount the o2 sensor is crucial to avoid the CEL.

I'll probably look at buying one from the US website as it is often cheaper to buy stuff from the land of the free.

Taka, can you check for me whether your CAT's o2 mounting is slightly glowing after a normal drive. I just need your confirmation. I can only see the slight glow when the garage is closed and lights are turned off. During the day... I can't see it. As far as I know, the car works fine... I am happy with it at the moment.

OT, May is freaking too cold to take the bike out dude! I'll consider joining .

 

Did u get the problem fixed? I have the same problem