OFFICIAL Warranty Extension Program on turbo and VVT Actuator Thread.

[mikelevi]

He told me, being a Mazdaspeed certified mechanic, he is familiar with the problems of the KO4 turbo and the seal. He said when they ordered he noticed an updated part number on it and was told it is the updated turbo KO4-22+. I am not able to confirm this, nor find any information online about it. I would be interested in hearing anyone else's thoughts on this as well.

Originally Posted by bertrand_CX_7 @mikelevi: are you saying that the turbo they are putting in place now are better than what they did 1 - 2 years back? If so I'm fucked up because I had mine changed end of 2010. can anyone confirm this please? Also I got the VVT replaced earlier 2010. But I'm hearing stuffs with breather valve, I'm not sure If I got this, Did someone please had this done and post a pic? Thanks

[timjs]

The turbo does indeed have a different part number.
Unsure of what they changed though..

My opinion is unless they added some type of oil restriction, they didn't fix crap.

I showed our field tech specialist my car after adding a bnoon bolt. He saw the smoke beforehand (which was horrible) and he was amazed that the car now does not smoke. Ever.

Everytime he comes to our dealer, he asks if my turbo has locked-up yet.

Helloooo Mazda...the solution is right in your face. The aftermarket already figured it out for you!!!

[mikelevi]

So after I get my new turbo and vent kit installed, should I reinstall my bnoon bolt or just roll without it?

[Raider]

Put it back in.

[Mizzle]

So wait.
I forget who b/c I skimmed, but isn't someone in this thread in a Mazda shop?

Can't you just compare the turbos side-by-side for visual cues/restrictions on oil?

p.s.
A new part number = acknowledgment of a problem... hello class action if you don't fix my shit for free.

[timjs]

I have a couple old cores I can compare as soon as I get my hands on a new one.

[jonspeed3]

so question, i bought my 07 ms3 back in august 200, i recently hit 77k miles, but at the time of purchase i bought an extended warranty, so would this SSP apply to me? I have faint noise from vvt, and today i finally started seeing some white smoke, i was dreading it but it finally happened, problem is i deploy in a week and don't have much time or know what to do. fuuuuu

[Santi25]

how much of a pain is it to replace the vvt shit? it cant be that bad

[Tokay444]

Lol.

[metalmatt]

Originally Posted by Santi25 how much of a pain is it to replace the vvt shit? it cant be that bad

Taking off the valve cover alone will make you regret buying a halfway sporty car

[RUMBLEFISH]

When I bought this car after reading threads about smoking turbo's and blowing up engines I was scared to run it. After 92000 miles and a ptp pill to stop the smoke now I have to worry about the timing chain getting thrown thru the hood.

Ah fuck it I will ignore it and give it to my son next year. Let him deal with it.

[mikelevi]

Was suppose to pick my car up tonight but it'll still be till Tuesday at least. I guess they snapped the Turbo bolts and somehow cracked the manifold. They had to order the replacements and wont be in till Monday or Tuesday. On the plus they are giving me a rental and there was only one car left, Camero. Shucks.

[tjamison]

The dealer installed my new VVT and vent kit (and apparently the grinding coming from the rear wheels is just road noise and my 'aggressive tires' - I didn't know tires were so crunchy ). But, I'm not embarrassed to start my car in front of people now.

Am I supposed to wait for leftover oil to burn off? The exhaust is still pretty thick. I've got 25,000 miles to figure that out, I suppose.

[metalmatt]

How long was the install?

[mike000g]

I have the vvt issue. I have lots of mods. I really don't give a fuck if they deny my car for this. So for me it's a hit or miss. But I wonder if they would supply with the parts. Anyways I'll will be calling the dealer tomorrow.wish me luck

[VRM_MS6]

Just dropped mine off this morning for the VVT service. The service rep didn't even act like they were going to require any documentation for oil changes and were just going to do it. She just said "since it's an extensive job, it will be here most of the day". I hope they just do it. I hate dealers and how they'll make any excuse for not performing work. My car's got that VVT noise like a sunnofabitch and I can't wait for it to be QUIETED!

When I bought my car this past May, the Carfax the dealer provided said that the turbo had already been replaced by Mazda about 1K miles prior to me buying it. Plus I haven't seen any smoking, so I'm going to hold off on them messing with it for now. I've only got 48K miles so I've got a little time. I'll keep you guys posted with the outcome later.

[VRM_MS6]

They green lighted the VVT actuator and timing chain replacement but since parts have to be ordered, I won't get the car back until Friday.

[RyansSpd3]

So everybody I have a question...I made an appointment with mazda to fix the smoking turbo and I took off my catless downpipe a couple days before because I thought it would void the warranty extension (and i also had emissions coming up) but now, the car doesn't smoke and mazda refused to replace it...I was wondering if putting the stock dp has an effect of it smoking at least all the way out to the tip? Cause this sucks

[timjs]

Catalytic converters DO mask light smoke.

[Raider]

Take the stock downpipe off, pour used oil down it. Bet it will smoke then.

[FlibbityGibbits]

Does anyone think that the dealerships and mazda might be a little more strick on the service documentation for the turbo replacement than the seem to be over the VVT. Also I bought my MS3 used and the resonators had already been cut out, anyone think that would cause them to deny me?

[aviator79]

My CX-7 had the VVT done before I bought it, but there is oil leaking out of the timing chain cover. I assume this is happening from the VVT work?
My MS6 doesn’t have the VVT noise, but I would like to get it done eventually . I have some time as only 30k. Have to find a dealer that would do it on my car. Im not demoding.

[ukmps3]

I have the same VVT noise as in the video, mines an 07 with 22k on but we didn't get them latters in the UK

[RyansSpd3]

Originally Posted by FlibbityGibbits Does anyone think that the dealerships and mazda might be a little more strick on the service documentation for the turbo replacement than the seem to be over the VVT. Also I bought my MS3 used and the resonators had already been cut out, anyone think that would cause them to deny me?

Duh they will be more strict on turbo replacement, that shit costs good money lol and I was wondering the same thing with no cats

[mike000g]

I take my car in thursday at 730am ,I told the rep about my car being modded.he said that's fine as long it's not the cause of the vvt.

[Tokay444]

Well, just tell him the VVT comes pre broken from the factory, so nothing caused it.

[Raider]

Depends on the dealer if they will fuck you on the repair, really. Some will void a powertrain warranty over an intake. Others you can go in fully bolted and get the engine replaced.

[bova]

i wonder how mods can cause a smoking turbo or vvt problem when they are in fact stating it is a problem already?

[Raider]

Too much power added, raises boost, stresses parts. That is the usual bullshit.

[greg08]

hhahahaaha they sent me those in the mail and i have 71k. took it to open road mazda and the "tech" said they cant install the valve cover cuz my intake -_- but its whatever really.. u shoulda seen the mazda mech-a-nec trying to drive my ms6 with clutchmaster fx400.

[Siniztr]

My 07 ms3 has 71.3 K on it, my question is what all is involved in replacing the vvt actuator, are there any dealer only or specialty tools needed? Is it just a matter of taking parts off and replacing with the new pieces or is there some special procedure/fitting, indexing involved. Any idea of what to expect as a price from the dealer for this procedure? I saw someone mentioned the vvt unit was $300 What other parts will be needed? What is the most likely case scenario if left unattended? mines been ticking but only when hot for 15k miles and I just figured it to be the valves out of adjustment. Am half tempted just to trade the car in at a Ford dealer and let them deal with it. I love the car but since I got both letters, I assume it will cost me around $2K just in parts to remedy the situation. If I choose to go that route can anyone suggest a slightly bigger than stock Turbo for the build? I don't want to make any wild mods from installing a Turbo that has no street manners. As you can tell by my mileage I drive mine alot, so I would be looking at the build from a reliability stand point with some mild upgrades to help realize the Turbos potential.
I am planning to call my State attorney Generals office, since Mazda knew of this problem prior, that's a good place for us over warranty period folks to start. Any help with the above questions would help greatly. as my mechanic was wanting me to find out just what he may be getting into having never done one of these.

[Raider]

Hi new guy. Read the links in my sig, and you gotta search, as your question is answered in many threads.

1) I have 73,000 miles on my 07, my couch is fucked, and GL with the AJ, prepare for LOL.
2) Search, as it is indeed tough, requires special tools., and non-dealer mechanics are well known for fucking it up and having the timing get messed up.
3) $1200 for the VVT out of pocket.
4) used turbos are cheap, $100 in the for sale section, (read my sig links)

[bova]

Originally Posted by Raider Too much power added, raises boost, stresses parts. That is the usual bullshit.

yeah i know what they would say, but the fact is, if they are saying it is a problem at factory levels, then it's more so a problem at modified levels. the sheer fact that the extended the warranty on those 2 things shows that it is an even bigger problem. the only denial I'd take from them is improper maintenance.

[Raider]

how it works is they tell you to go fuck, your mom. Then you lawyer up, spend thousands of dollars fighting them. Hope you win, then they fuck their mom by repairing the car. Years can go by.

GM tried to tell me a seat that had 4" of side to side sway was "within spec" and if I had a problem, "Sue us". That was after the 17th time replacing the seat frame because they slid into the dash when it stopped. What happened after got me banned from the dealer. 24 hours later, the GMC became a Protege 5 and a B3000.

[roman_]

I'm 5k miles over. It's not making any noise but I'm waiting for the day it does. Ugh.

[Raider]

A service mangler at a local dealer told me $550 plus parts and he would do it. Not the one we took our CX-7 to.

Tempted to look for a kit at some point if they get posted, and then get it cheap. Save the $ for when it happens.

[Siniztr]

Going to dealer tomorrow for the diagnosis then the beatdown.

[mikelevi]

Update to Update: After more than a week in the shop they told me its going to be another couple of days lol.

First: They broke the Turbo Bolts off in the manifold when removing the turbo and cracked the manifold. Then after everything was together they blew the head gasket when test driving my car. After fixing that and test driving it again they discovered a large leak coming from the value cover somewhere inside the VVT. I know they are certified Mazdaspeed Mechanics and hooking me up, but it still makes me a little worried about what's going to happen after I get my car back.

Is there a break in period on a new turbo?

These repairs normally come with an extended warranty as well?

Thank god I didnt have to tackle these nightmares myself. I'd probably be hanging in the garage by now...

[Tokay444]

How did they blow a head gasket exactly?

[Raider]

drove without coolant?