OFFICIAL Warranty Extension Program on turbo and VVT Actuator Thread.

[BlueMetalJacket]

Well I've got good news! Took my car into the dealership for the smoking turbo issue. Drove up and down the road, at slow speeds, stopping often to simulate traffic or a drive thru (when the smoking happens for me). I also found having my foot on the brake while stopped helps it smoke. Pulled up to the service bay, let it run, smoked like a chimney!

The short story is they are going to put the vent kit on next week after parts arrive for free! If it keeps happening, they'll replace the turbo, too! Oh! I hope it doesn't fix it! I want that new turbo!

Thank you to everyone on this post for your help. I was very worried they would deny my car or give me a big hassle. Took all of your advice and here's what I did/what I'd recommend.

Assuming you fit within the mileage/manufacture date/model requirements:

1.) Try the stop and go approach I used to make it smoke for the dealer
2.) Take a video
3.) Be polite, but assertive with the dealer. Tell them what they want to know that will help your case.
4.) Bring your documents. I gave them a copy of my SSP86 letter, owner's manual (for correct oil change interval), and oil change records (I did NOT keep receipts, but always keep a detailed notebook log of all my repairs, oil changes, and even fill ups..and they were happy with that).
5.) If you don't have your oil change records and can't look them up at an oil change shop, ask to sign an affidavit swearing, legally under penalty of perjury, that you performed the oil changes properly.
6.) Repeat the above steps, showing you satisfy all the requirements of the warranty extension. Box them in with your facts and records and make them defend their position.
7.) If they still deny you, ask for it in writing, stating the reasons clearly. Try to get it from them that same day.

[All2envyMS3]

Originally Posted by Tappen What is your email address? I want to help you.

nevamind

[xnavekx]

Time to demod Anyone know how strict they are at Mazda of Escondido? or any place in San Diego Area. How much i can get away not changing with for vvt and turbo issue.

[All2envyMS3]

I was told that I have to put the stock intake box back on, which I am screwed seeing as I bought the car used last year with the Cai and forge bpv already on

[Tokay444]

Get a new intake.
I don't even think that injen has an air straightener.

[BlueMetalJacket]

I put a MazdaSpeed Blue series CAI on my car that is warranty friendly. I told them it was on the car when I brought it in for the smoking turbo issue and they didn't have a problem with it.

[Tappen]

Originally Posted by All2envyMS3 All2envyzx3@yahoo.com I'm John Who are you?

Shot you an email, hit me back

[fmgallardo]

Hey do you guys know if this warranty extension program for the VCR an Turbo applies also for Canada and to second hand owners of the vehicle??? Thanks!!

[Raider]

Autocorrect fail lol VCR.

nope, Mazda USA. I think you hosers got one already, take it in.

[VRM_MS6]

I just seriously LOLed at that "VCR"!

[CurrentlyPissed]

Originally Posted by timjs Got one of you freeloaders in my bay right now. It's so obvious when you guys stock out. You leave things loose...bolts have markings on them that indicate they have been tampered with...Mode 6 data in the PCM isnt filled, incomplete monitor flags.. Not that I give a shit because I'm making my 4 hours either way. It's just funny, the stories people come up with to protect their warranty coverage. He might be talking about a little chain guide that most engines have between the cam gears. One could easily be bolted to the oil control valve and keep the timing chain from slapping the valve cover.

It's funny that people even stock out. Most dealerships have no problem turning a blind eye towards most mods. They want the freebie work to hit their gross labor. They could give two shits less. An inspector is not going to come out especially over a car with a recently updated warranty extension. They have more important things to do. (I service write for a Nissan Dealership)

[timjs]

Originally Posted by CurrentlyPissed It's funny that people even stock out. Most dealerships have no problem turning a blind eye towards most mods. They want the freebie work to hit their gross labor. They could give two shits less. An inspector is not going to come out especially over a car with a recently updated warranty extension. They have more important things to do. (I service write for a Nissan Dealership)

I've found that it seems to depend on the workload the dealership normally sees.

No body wants to do warranty work when there is customer pay work to do.
As you know, (and most people do NOT know) is that warranty pays so little, it's borderline criminal.
Technicians are still forced to be paid by the same ancient method that was designed long ago, and made sense when the auto industry had plenty of work.
Now, cars are so fucking reliable, there's no work. Our shop had 13 mechanics back in the mid 90's (from what the old timers have told me) and now the shop BARELY supports 3. Shit, I sat around for 5 hours today not making a single dime before I went home early.

Sorry for ranting, but you get my point. Take your car to a busy shop that would rather do 30k's and used car inspections instead of warranty, and they will screw you over modifications. Take your car to a smaller dealer that doesn't have the work volume of the larger dealer, and they will happily take the 4+ hours of work to replace your timing chain.. it's that simple. Technicians only get paid while they are working, so ANY work is better then NO work.

With that said, I'd rather do oil changes all fucking day than do another timing chain. I'm sick of them.

[CurrentlyPissed]

Originally Posted by timjs I've found that it seems to depend on the workload the dealership normally sees. No body wants to do warranty work when there is customer pay work to do. As you know, (and most people do NOT know) is that warranty pays so little, it's borderline criminal. Technicians are still forced to be paid by the same ancient method that was designed long ago, and made sense when the auto industry had plenty of work. Now, cars are so fucking reliable, there's no work. Our shop had 13 mechanics back in the mid 90's (from what the old timers have told me) and now the shop BARELY supports 3. Shit, I sat around for 5 hours today not making a single dime before I went home early. Sorry for ranting, but you get my point. Take your car to a busy shop that would rather do 30k's and used car inspections instead of warranty, and they will screw you over modifications. Take your car to a smaller dealer that doesn't have the work volume of the larger dealer, and they will happily take the 4+ hours of work to replace your timing chain.. it's that simple. Technicians only get paid while they are working, so ANY work is better then NO work. With that said, I'd rather do oil changes all fucking day than do another timing chain. I'm sick of them.

What is the warranty time/actual time for the MS3 chains?

[BlueMetalJacket]

Originally Posted by fmgallardo Hey do you guys know if this warranty extension program for the VCR an Turbo applies also for Canada and to second hand owners of the vehicle??? Thanks!!

Yes. It applies to second hand owners, too. I bought mine used (in the USA) and they honored the warranty. Getting the vent kit put on Monday and hopefully a new turbo after that. Its possible your name/address never got updated and the dealer still has the previous owner's info.

[timjs]

Originally Posted by CurrentlyPissed What is the warranty time/actual time for the MS3 chains?

2007-2009 MS3.... 4.3 hours.
2010 MS3 4.5 hours.

All MS6... 4.5 hours.

All CX-7 ... 4.4 hours.

It's doable in that time. But, I'm too fucking anal about silicone. I spend so much time cleaning the timing cover and the engine that I screw myself on every one I do. But I'd rather lose a little money then have to re-do the job for free because an oil leak.

[CurrentlyPissed]

Originally Posted by timjs 2007-2009 MS3.... 4.3 hours. 2010 MS3 4.5 hours. All MS6... 4.5 hours. All CX-7 ... 4.4 hours. It's doable in that time. But, I'm too fucking anal about silicone. I spend so much time cleaning the timing cover and the engine that I screw myself on every one I do. But I'd rather lose a little money then have to re-do the job for free because an oil leak.

Could be worse, Nissan Quest takes 12.3 actual hours. Warranty pay? 5.4.

[timjs]

Yep. As long as auto manufacturers can get away with it, they will continue to screw over their technicians.

[Tokay444]

They pay 4.3 hours or it's quoted at 4.3 hours?

[timjs]

The technician gets paid 4.3 hours if they do the job under warranty.
I quote non-warranty chains at 6 hours. That allows me to take my time and do the job right. Plus give the silicone a little extra time to cure before I put oil in the car.

Trust me, I know there are people thinking "well why the fuck did I get charged XXX amount if warranty only pays 4.3 hours?" but there's just no way to explain how much it sucks to be a flat-rate technician doing warranty work.

[Kellerspeed3]

Originally Posted by timjs The technician gets paid 4.3 hours if they do the job under warranty. I quote non-warranty chains at 6 hours. That allows me to take my time and do the job right. Plus give the silicone a little extra time to cure before I put oil in the car. Trust me, I know there are people thinking "well why the fuck did I get charged XXX amount if warranty only pays 4.3 hours?" but there's just no way to explain how much it sucks to be a flat-rate technician doing warranty work.

Yeah when I was talking to my tech I was shocked to learn he works basically on commission, I always thought those guys were hourly. Needless to say I slipped him twenty bucks for his troubles and rarely if ever have trouble out of my stealership.....err dealership. Plus my tech drives a speed3 Gen1 so he understands what my wife with her fifty purses can't seem to.

[Koenig]

Originally Posted by chimmike MOTHERFUCK. I did the repair myself, and just hit 70k miles. Did the repair probably 5k miles ago :/

I didn't see if anyone posted yet... but if you can get receipts for doing the repair with proof of mileage, they will still refund you since it was before the 70K, as long as you can show it was fixed before then.


This seriously pisses me off and I wish they would make it a RECALL and not a TSB with warranty extension.

I had previously tried TWICE with 2 different dealers regarding the smoking, when I'd drop it off, and they told me it never smoked. This was between 40k-50k before my "regular" warranty was up. It just started recently smoking again (I think one of my seals finally blew) but I'm about 100 miles off from 99k miles, so there's nothing I can do, except out of my own pocket

[All2envyMS3]

This is what my attorney wrote to groove mazda

Ken -



I am writing to you in regards to John Epping's Mazdaspeed 3 and his smoking turbo issue. I have CC'd the GM of Groove Mazda on this email because I realize that in a warranty matter that you may not have the final say and it's easy to explain John's position once and then let Groove decide who the best person to handle the issue is.




John recently brought his Mazdaspeed 3 in for warranty service on the turbo, which smokes every time he drives the car. As you are aware, Mazda has released a document confirming both an acknowledgement of this problem (Which they released a TSB [Technical Service Bulletin] in the past) and an extension of the warranty for this issue for current owners whose cars are less than 7 years old and have less than 77,000 miles on the odometer. John's car meets both of these criteria - as well as the required criteria for the replacement of his smoking turbo.




John both informed you verbally that his car was smoking daily, as well as provided video evidence to support these claims. Mazda USA, and Groove Mazda as an approved warranty repair provider is legally required to fix John's car under the emission's warranty section of the Clean Air Act. The CAC states that Mazda was required to produce a car which at the point of sale would be free from emissions defects for the term of its useful life. As John's turbo is now smoking, it has ceased to meet the requirements under the Clean Air Act.




What John would like is written verification that Groove Mazda will replace John's smoking turbo under warranty - a service he has already driven from Grand Junction to try and have performed. During that time, should John need it, he would like use of a loaner car.




As John has retained counsel, all communication should be addressed to me. If you would like to confer with Groove's counsel before getting back to me I understand. I would like a response by 5pm, Wednesday, March 7, stating the course of action Groove intends to take.

[tee.dog]

wow got me all spooked, so check chain for tension or lack of it, listen for rattle at cold start, if no rattle but chain loose AND under 70k 84 months dealer warrenty covered?

[tee.dog]

Originally Posted by Kellerspeed3 Yeah when I was talking to my tech I was shocked to learn he works basically on commission, I always thought those guys were hourly. Needless to say I slipped him twenty bucks for his troubles and rarely if ever have trouble out of my stealership.....err dealership. Plus my tech drives a speed3 Gen1 so he understands what my wife with her fifty purses can't seem to.

Thats so fucking funny and true. maybe if them purses came with wheels or a kick starter we would be more understanding

wi;; someone please pitty my ignorant ass ans explain this ventilation bull shit regarding turbo life/replacment. I know your all annoyed to no end but im tired of reading and reading somemore to not find the answer....PLEASE

[Tokay444]

Originally Posted by tee.dog wow got me all spooked, so check chain for tension or lack of it, listen for rattle at cold start, if no rattle but chain loose AND under 70k 84 months dealer warrenty covered?

Warranty what?

[SRTie4k]

Well my local Mazda dealer finally got my parts in, and my car will be going in on Friday for the VVT fix.

I just checked my timing chain slack however, and it has absolutely no slack on it at all. I wonder if they told me its making noise because they want the guaranteed pay from Mazda?

Whatever the case, I'm getting a new one, so I won't have to worry about it for another 65k miles at least...hopefully.

[RAR]

Got a check to cover what I paid out of pocket to fix my smoking turbo yesterday, they fully paid me back even though I replaced it with a BNR Stage 1 turbo. Still waiting for the check for the VVT one..

Andrew

[timjs]

Originally Posted by SRTie4k Well my local Mazda dealer finally got my parts in, and my car will be going in on Friday for the VVT fix. I just checked my timing chain slack however, and it has absolutely no slack on it at all. I wonder if they told me its making noise because they want the guaranteed pay from Mazda? Whatever the case, I'm getting a new one, so I won't have to worry about it for another 65k miles at least...hopefully.

Even the engines with loose chains have some point in the engine's rotation where the cams are pulling away from each other, keeping the chain in between them tight.

That might be the case.

[BlueMetalJacket]

Just got my car back from the dealer. They installed the vent kit under warranty. So far so good! I tried my usual stuff to get it to smoke and nothing yet. Should try going through a drive thru and see if it starts smoking again.

Here's some interesting stuff from the invoice:

Mileage in: 65,907
Mileage out: 66,156
*Am I reading this right? They did a 250mi test drive?!?!

"1 L3Y2-13-S80B VENTILATION KIT...(N/C)
SOP 7 IC...(N/C)
65907 Verified customers complaint. I followed tsb 01-008/12 ventilation kit. inspected turbo per tsb and found no signs of failure preceded to installing tsb kit. road tested no problems found."

Feels like they changed the oil, too, but can't be sure. That would mask the smoking for about a thousand miles anyway. I'm actually hoping it does smoke again so I can get a new turbo.

[Mizzle]

I hope it said proceeded vs. preceded

[RUMBLEFISH]

Way out of warranty and just had my VVT done. New chain-VVT and adjuster with new bolts and washers. They gave me a loaner car and it was done by the end of the day for $1050.Car started to smoke today so I think they used shit oil since mine stopped doing that 50,000 miles ago using the pill and rotella 5/40. Just changed it out today and hope it stops. I will now prey to the anti-smoke gods. Car has 95,000 miles and had slop in the chain and rattle at start up.

[Ascend]

I get to find out today how much I'm going to get taken for on the VVT issue as well. My CX-7 has 120k so its way out of warranty (though, in support of the fact they are babied highway miles, I have 50% wear left on the original brake pads).

Funny thing is that the tech told me they "just did a couple today", so its pretty obvious this is a factory defect. How they have gotten away with not making it a recall I think is only a matter of time before someone gets into an accident b/c of the issue. Seems its a no brainer that when the timing chain snaps when you're crossing traffic and you get broadsided that its an inherent safety issue.

[Tokay444]

Lol at accident from broken vvt.
The only thing that's going to happen even with a completely broken vvt, is that the pin is not going to seat iteslf at all, and you're going to run full intake cam retard on cold start up. After that, your oil control valve is going to be controlling variable cam phasing anyway.

[BlueMetalJacket]

To follow up from my earlier post (#309), the dealer did NOT change the oil during the vent kit installation and those 250mi were not because they went for a joy ride. They are the miles I put on the car between when I showed them the smoking tail pipe and when the work was completed, during which I was driving the car waiting for the parts to come in.

[roman_]

Got my tires changed today and the mechanic said I should go to the dealer ASAP. Said he thought it was a diesel when he started it up. 2006 Speed6 with 77k on it so I'm hoping maybe they'll see that I have a mechanical failure service contract on it that covers timing chains and all related parts and might try to work with me on that.

Otherwise the tires dudes told me to take it out to their parking lot and put a brick on the accelerator.

[thatsmrgimp2u]

So i went to the dealer and they told me mine was "within spec"... i dont want this shit failing later on and causing more issues. Any ideas?

[LongDonMarkus]

Hi,

I'm from the Netherlands, Europe.
I have the problem with my VVT, the short rattling noise during start up. Tomorrow I'm bringing my Mazda 3 MPS (european version of the Mazdaspeed, 2007 version) to my dealer because they would check the timing belt tension due to a noise. In the mean time I found out it has to be this problem. The dealer has until nog played dumb....so I'm glad I was able to get my hands on the TSB document...Although it may not be valid in Europe, this will make my case stronger to get it fixed under warranty. Mazda 3 MPS and Mazdaspeed 3 are made in the same factory, from the same parts. So we'll see what happens. Thanks to the guy for uploading this!


Greetings, Markus

[RAR]

Originally Posted by RAR Got a check to cover what I paid out of pocket to fix my smoking turbo yesterday, they fully paid me back even though I replaced it with a BNR Stage 1 turbo. Still waiting for the check for the VVT one..

Check for the VVT repair came today, took a while for both but they did pay me back.

Bilsteins & Eibachs go on tomorrow in celebration.

[Spirry]

Having the dealer local to me do these repairs. Trying to figure out what the basis is for their decision on what repair is necessary.

"If the white smoke is caused by engine oil leakage from the turbocharger, your dealer will install a ventilation kit or replace the turbo charger free of charge during the terms of this warranty extension program."

Doesn't specify...

[Speed6]

Got my vvt kit replaced about a month ago. All seems good, now i just have to put new plugs in it and change the tranny fluid.