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Member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2020
- Messages
- 14
- City
- USA
- Vehicle Year
- 2002 Mazda
- Engine
- 3.0 V6
- Transmission
- Automatic
Recently acquired a "Salvaged title" 2002 Mazda B3000 3.0L 2WD with 125,000 miles for $2,0000. Does this seem reasonable? Was expecting to invest $500-600 after purchase, but I've already surpassed that....
(The salvage title comes from front end damage, apparently wasn't too bad, frame looks good, though it cost me $250 to register and transfer title at DMV!)
I've been perusing these forums for a bit trying to resolve various issues with truck and decided I'd make a thread to attempt to more specifically diagnose/resolve my issues. Many thanks in advance for any advice/help, I know that already I've gotten some good tips and such just reading.
Problems:
1. Starting issue
2. Squeaking/chirping belt
3. Rattle under truck
4. Old oil and Valve Cover Gasket leak
1. Starting Issue:
First and foremost I suppose is the starting issue:
It almost never starts first try but 80-90% of the time will start second time, albeit with a bit of a struggle often (it doesn't always sound exactly the same).
I've tried turning to on/off 3-5 times (priming the pump/pressure?) and that seems to help (usually starts first try after), although it still doesn't start in an ideal manner, seems rather rough and usually still some spinning/struggling of sorts.
Things I've done (will add to this list as I try more)
-Recently replaced the starter as the mechanic was "convinced" that was it despite my skepticism, didn't work. - $200
-Replaced Fuel filter $60
-Cleaned MAF sensor and throttle body (had the mechanic do it as it was only labor) - $30
-Replaced Idle air intake control valve (after replacing the starter the check engine light came on and this was the error code, thus replaced it) - $60 part did it myself
-Tried resetting the inertia switch by pushing down on red button (there was literally no give/decompression so not sure if it worked???), also tried holding it down while trying to start, neither worked.
-Checked battery at autozone, they said it was good.
Things to do/possibilities
-check ignition switch?
-check coils (multimeter) and replace spark plugs?
-check fuel pressure?
2. Squeakin/Chirping Belt:
After the vehicle has say for a while upon starting there is always a squeak/chirp coming from the timing belt area. I noticed that the upper idler pulley was wobbling and replaced it, still have a squeak. I've sprayed water on the under side of belt and it temporarily stops squeaking.
Things I've done
-Changed Upper Idler pulley that was wobbling (Even with a serpentine belt tool this was a VERY tight and thus difficult fit)
3. Rattle Under Truck:
There is a metal rattle from underbelly. Not always present, but generally when accelerating, sometimes when idle and/or when starting vehicle.
I got under vehcile and tried checking for rattle, seems like the exhaust that runs the length of truck however it's not the heat shield as suspected....Mechanic looked at it and said it must be something "inside??" Said he couldn't fix it.
4. Valve Cover Gasket and old oil on engine
There looks to be lots of old oil on the engine as well as a small amount of newer oil. Mechanic said it looked like they did the "easy" half of the valve covers and not the other half? (Not sure about this)
Other minor issues:
-Lots of rust under passenger seat on chair, is this much of an issue?
-Driver side automatic unlock doesn't work much of time
-Passenger side automatic window never works, and the driver side one doesn't work some of the time
-Drivers side window has to be pushed back before being rolled up to seal completely
-Radio turns on/off rarely on its own and often acts like it's trying to load a cd or something?
Sorry for the long post....and many many thanks for any help, this little truck has turned out to be a lot of work.
Some photos at time of purchase:
(The salvage title comes from front end damage, apparently wasn't too bad, frame looks good, though it cost me $250 to register and transfer title at DMV!)
I've been perusing these forums for a bit trying to resolve various issues with truck and decided I'd make a thread to attempt to more specifically diagnose/resolve my issues. Many thanks in advance for any advice/help, I know that already I've gotten some good tips and such just reading.
Problems:
1. Starting issue
2. Squeaking/chirping belt
3. Rattle under truck
4. Old oil and Valve Cover Gasket leak
1. Starting Issue:
First and foremost I suppose is the starting issue:
It almost never starts first try but 80-90% of the time will start second time, albeit with a bit of a struggle often (it doesn't always sound exactly the same).
I've tried turning to on/off 3-5 times (priming the pump/pressure?) and that seems to help (usually starts first try after), although it still doesn't start in an ideal manner, seems rather rough and usually still some spinning/struggling of sorts.
Things I've done (will add to this list as I try more)
-Recently replaced the starter as the mechanic was "convinced" that was it despite my skepticism, didn't work. - $200
-Replaced Fuel filter $60
-Cleaned MAF sensor and throttle body (had the mechanic do it as it was only labor) - $30
-Replaced Idle air intake control valve (after replacing the starter the check engine light came on and this was the error code, thus replaced it) - $60 part did it myself
-Tried resetting the inertia switch by pushing down on red button (there was literally no give/decompression so not sure if it worked???), also tried holding it down while trying to start, neither worked.
-Checked battery at autozone, they said it was good.
Things to do/possibilities
-check ignition switch?
-check coils (multimeter) and replace spark plugs?
-check fuel pressure?
2. Squeakin/Chirping Belt:
After the vehicle has say for a while upon starting there is always a squeak/chirp coming from the timing belt area. I noticed that the upper idler pulley was wobbling and replaced it, still have a squeak. I've sprayed water on the under side of belt and it temporarily stops squeaking.
Things I've done
-Changed Upper Idler pulley that was wobbling (Even with a serpentine belt tool this was a VERY tight and thus difficult fit)
3. Rattle Under Truck:
There is a metal rattle from underbelly. Not always present, but generally when accelerating, sometimes when idle and/or when starting vehicle.
I got under vehcile and tried checking for rattle, seems like the exhaust that runs the length of truck however it's not the heat shield as suspected....Mechanic looked at it and said it must be something "inside??" Said he couldn't fix it.
4. Valve Cover Gasket and old oil on engine
There looks to be lots of old oil on the engine as well as a small amount of newer oil. Mechanic said it looked like they did the "easy" half of the valve covers and not the other half? (Not sure about this)
Other minor issues:
-Lots of rust under passenger seat on chair, is this much of an issue?
-Driver side automatic unlock doesn't work much of time
-Passenger side automatic window never works, and the driver side one doesn't work some of the time
-Drivers side window has to be pushed back before being rolled up to seal completely
-Radio turns on/off rarely on its own and often acts like it's trying to load a cd or something?
Sorry for the long post....and many many thanks for any help, this little truck has turned out to be a lot of work.
Some photos at time of purchase:
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