Ok, so my opinion on Mazda's reman'd motors is shifting downward.

My car is back at the dealer getting it's 3rd motor.

Don't read it wrong, I still love Mazda and my dealer (Mazda of Wesley Chapel, FL) which is why I drive 40 miles to visit that one and not the two closer ones.

My first motor was replaced at 75k miles because it was leaking coolant into the combustion chamber. So they swapped it out under 100k miles engine warranty. Started out as rough idle at cold start from water soaked plugs. Then progressed to smelling coolant in my exhaust, then getting white clouds on cold start that would fog out the neighborhood.

Ever since I got the 2nd motor, it had been making a ticking noise and getting a persistent coolant smell. I called the dealer and took it back after 120 miles for first break-in oil change, and they said they could not figure out what was causing the ticking and dismissed the coolant smell as still having some coolant in the exhaust that needed to burn off. The ticking was not external like belts, pulleys, etc, the techs couldn't figure out where it was coming from, but annoying as hell at idle and parking lot speeds. They asked that I come back after 500 miles if symptoms persist and figure it out, if necessary replacing the motor.

Sure enough, still ticking after about 700 miles. So I dropped her off Monday and they gave me a loaner (nice '09 3) anticipating the worst. Turns out I was right about the coolant smell. While searching for the ticking noise, they found another problem. She was leaking coolant between two of the housings. That right there was enough to stop looking for the ticking and order another engine.

Now it's Friday and I just talked to the dealer again, the engines are on backorder from the rebuild facility in GA. So I might get my car back next week.

 

Have you checked the ticking threads on this forum? Some have related to spark plug wires and whatnot. Check it out...even though this is unacceptable on a NEW engine.

I can not however, offer advice on your coolant issue. Sounds like they accidentally put your old motor back in.

EDIT: I thought about this a little more...if you read the threads I talk about, some people relate the ticking to stuck valves (depending on where the ticking comes from i.e. driver side -vs- passenger side) So...my theory is if the dealer just replaces your engine, and uses all the old solenoids and valves, that could be it. I'm just tryin to help...there are way more qualified people on this board.

 

Although I sell remanufactured rotary engines myself (That I am very proud of), I must say that I know Mazda had some issues and I think they are behind them for the most part. There is a completely different company (Mazda's own vs sub-contract) handling them now. You should be better off this time. I strongly believe that actually.

Paul .

 

leaky coolant between two housings? outside edge coolant seal pinched during build, thus no white smoke and such, just burning coolant smell.

ticking noise? impossible to know without hearing considering a seal was pinched during build im guessing something else was clearanced poorly.

kevin.

 

My original motor was leaking coolant internally. They did a pressure test on the coolant system and found coolant coming out of the spark plug holes.

According to my service manager, my 2nd motor was leaking externally, between the housings. So probably was a pinched seal. Not enough to leave spots under the car, but enough to cause concern to the dealer. Guessing it would slowing seep out the exhaust side and evaporate on the manifold or something. That motor felt much stronger than my old one.

Regarding the ticking noise. They had replaced the spark plugs when they put in motor #2, but reused my coils and wires (both about a year old). I'll worry about the ticking noise though if it comes back on motor #3. Seemed like it was coming from drivers side.