This is what Mazda has to say about it, I think we should push them to come up with a fix faster, come on it has been a problem since the middle of 2000! What do you think? I would like someone to explain the jargon that they use VTCS plates? what are there function? What does ECT stand for and what is its function? Also they use the term "believed" to be the problem which means they are not sure or are trying to limit their responsability!

The dealer noted the noise and gave me a bulliten from Mazda.

Category: B Piston Engine
Repair Reference # 3562
Subject: 2.0L Engine noise with cold coolant temp

ALL 2.0L between 2001-2002 are affected

Customer may experience an engine rattle under light to moderate acceleration with engine coolant temps below 149 deg F and engine rpm's between 1500 to 2500.

Confirm noise only occurs within the VTCS ( Variable Tumble Control System) operation "valve closed" period (when ECT is below 149 deg F)

This noise is currently believed to be the result of the timing between VTCS plates "opening", and the ignition spark advanc command. This is an operating characteristic of this engine and no repair attempts should be made. Although the noise is present only during cold start up and disappears once the engine coolant reaches 149 degrees F, Mazda realizes that it is an annyance to some customers and its engineers are investigating possible countermeasures in an effort to address customer satisfaction.

Sounds like they are trying to get away from a recall and a problem that will or will not (they don't know)cause damage during warranty!

 

Would you be able to direct me to the VTCS selonid plug as my manuals have not come in yet. Thanks for the help. Anyone know how the VTCS system functions example first this, than that, then the plates blah blah?

 

Yeah I have had it. I'm going down to my dealer tomorrow and raising holy hell. I am sick and tired of my Juggalo Wagon sounded like a goddamn piece of **** when I drive off. Its really embarassing, because I like to think of my car as somewhat "nice", but when I pull away from work, or my apartment complex, and people stare at my car like WTF is wrong with that thing, it sucks fat dick. And I ain't gonna take it no more, **** MAZDA and their lazy asses not fixing this.

Sorry, I had to vent. I'm better now, just took my ritalin.

But for real Mazda does suck for not addressing this more promptly and professionally. Its making that Civic look better and better everday....sigh.

 

No reason to go to the dealer unless you want to vent there or just have them document that you have the noise. Unless it is something else, you might want to take it, but you have to leave it for the engine to cool down. Oh I don't mean to be rude Sweedenhouse but, try to tone down your rude comments. Thanks

 

Oh yeah? Well I'm going down there tomorrow regardless. I'm sick of this ****. And why should I tone down my "rude" comments? At least my feelings are pure and real. So what if I don't speak eloqouently, or use words that are mainstream, and accepted PC people? Is the word **** any different from poop? No, theny mean the same thing. So Mazda can **** off till they fix this embarassing rattle. It is the most ghetto thing I have ever experienced in a car. Yes even more ghetto than when I cut the stock springs in my Eclipse and I bounced like a ************. Yeah I said ************. It doesn't make me a bad person to use theses words, it makes me a real person. Mazda can eat a dick if they don't fix this rattle.

 

You have such a subtle way to tell us your feelings,we couldnt detect how much you're pissed off!hahaaha!!!!

 

There was a lot of discusson on this. See engine rattle on this forum of the 3rd generation. Also, there was a long discussion on the maintance section but that section has dissappered from the forum. As I mentioned before, Mazda has known about this for over 10 months. I've written to Maxda to complain and they just refered me to the Dealer who provided me with the same M-TIPS description. I'm temped to write Mazda again and indicate that I'll notify Consumer Reports about the problem which has yet to be fixed. This may get their attention since Consumer Reports has a big impact on buyer choices. I'm also upset and am concerned that there may be a long term problem which Mazda is trying to finess. In any case I'd also like to know how to disconnect the VTCS system. Any pictures?

 

Ummm yeah once again forgive my "foul mouth", but **** MAZDA. How weak of them to mass produce a product that makes terrible noises. I seriously am contemplating on trding my **** in on a Civic. Talk **** on it all you want, but at least the Civic con't make bullshit ghetto noises like my p5 does.

 

You're basing your comments on the engine rattle that occurs for the first minute or two in the mornings? Why don't you just warm up your car before taking off in the mornings. I've never had this problem, but that's because I turn on my car, and then go and put on my shoes, get my books and lock the door. That takes a bit more then a minute, and I'm off and running, no problems.

Buy the Civic, and have fun paying 100$ for regular 6000 or 5000 kms checkups at their dealerships, plus the crazy percentage that they have on their financing/leasing.

 

Holy @$#*, another Juggalo! Whutup...

Anyways man, I had a Civic with well over a half-million klicks on it, and the damn thing wouldnt die. The only reason I got rid of it was because the rust was getting embarassing. But you'll lose mad cash if you dump your P5 so Id hold on to it... just sell it as soon as the warranty is about to expire... keep in mind Mazdas dont hold their value like Hondas so you'll probably be in a negative equity situation.

I also owned an ITR (championship white). I traded that for the P5 because my fiance and I are going to buy a house and Im getting a bike (Suzuki Hayabusa... ugly as sin but fast as hell!!!). Man, but its been two days and Im crying myself to sleep every night thinking about my ITR. Oh well, I hope the new owner takes good care of it.

Anyways, Ive got the same rattle problem on a two day old car!!! Im about to go to Mazda head office and start choking heads!!!

 

Hell yeah ninja....'SOUTHWEST VOODOO IN THE HAUUGGHH!!!'

Anyway yeah its good to have another Juggalo here. But dude I warm my **** up for a good two minutes every morning, and it stills sounds likes John Deere rollin off into the sunset. Like I said its freakin embarassing. People stare, and look at my car like its a piece of ****. I want people, well honestly I don't care, but its nice when people look and say "Hey that's a nice car", not "Dude what the hell is wrong with that POS Mazda".

WOOO WOOO MUCH CLOWN LUV!!!!! Juggalo

 

Yo ninja, you should sport the hatchetman as your avatar.

 

You got a Hayabusa?? Are you crazy, damn I'd be scared to get on that thing hehe way too fast. My friend's '96 GSX-R 750 (or it might have been a 600cc, forgot) was a beast, hehe, I can just imagine what that one would be like.

 

Dont worry about them man... you know what, no matter what kind of car you have people will dog your ****. People even busted on my ITR for being "slow" (ie, not running 12's). Forget them man... just blast your system so loud it drowns out the rattle...

oh yeah, Id change my avatar but you gotta have 150 posts first... some day man! I just gotta find more stuff to compain about! haha

peace

 

Sweeeeeeeeeet! Ok man, Ill do a search and figure out how to disconnect the thing.

Im not gonna change the oil yet though, only 180km on the puppy so far

Thanks bro