Hi folks,

I have a 2008 Mazda 3 Sport (not 2008.5) that I bought in March 2008. It's got just over 21,000 kilometers (13,000 miles) on it. I'll be taking it in for its fourth regular maintenance this Saturday and I'm curious how to ask the service guys about something I've started noticing.

Basically, it seems that when I'm idling at a stop light, the car is shaking very slightly, and I'm hearing the engine making uneven noises (I have very good hearing and no one else I've mentioned this to can hear it). I definitely don't remember this from longer than about 6 months ago.

I don't know an awful lot about cars, but my first thought was that maybe the cam or piston timing is slightly off. Is this possible?

If it is possible, is it reasonably easy for the service guys to adjust it?

If not, what else might be causing this?

 

Sounds like a blown engine mount. They are notorious for going out on 3's. You can keep replacing the stock ones or get an aftermarket. There are plenty available.

 

What am I looking at in terms of price for stock and aftermarket? Any pertinent web resources would be very helpful.

Thanks for the reply, Derrick!

 

Here are some aftermarket mounts:

http://www.corksport.com/awr-rear-en...r-mazda-3.html
http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/p...oducts_id=1260

You should still have warranty, so you can just get them replaced with stock mounts if that is indeed the problem. It could be a number of things though. If you do decide to go with an aftermarket mount, be advised that they will introduce varying levels of vibration into the car. However, they won't self-destruct like the stock mounts. Driving around with blown mounts can lead to problems over time.

 

There is a "shiver" (best way I've heard it described) that happens on the 3 for many of us soon after start up, that lasts until it is warmed up. Does your "shake" go away after the car reaches operating temp?

Any fluid leaking under the car or in the engine compartment (often occurs when mounts go bad)?