Mazda 3 Timing Belt

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I am considering getting a 2016 Mazda 3 2.0 litre. Looking under the hood I saw that it might be extremely difficult to change the timing belt. The first generation did not look too hard to work on. Pretty much like working on a 3rd generation Escort. Did not see anything on YouTube.
 
Originally Posted By: borgward
My Bad. Just saw that at http://www.underhoodservice.com/mazda-s-skyactiv-technology/. I noticed it has 13:1 compression ratio. Does a high compression ratio affect wear? Still want to know about changing the timing chain. I am guessing it's probably good for 200,000 miles.


A good timing chain can go for much much longer than that. We had a car that we took to the junkyard at 285k. We took it to the junk yard because the body rotted out....still had the original timing chain in it. Quality of materials as well as quality of care will limit or actualize the potential.
 
My girlfriend purchased a 2012 Mazda 3, 2.0L with 32k on it. Her dad went out and bought a 2012 Mazda 3, same engine with just 120 more miles on it, that same day that she bought hers. Great little car so far, hers has a slight stumbling/shudder issue when cold, so I've been wrenching each weekend trying to narrow it down, not worried about it, only lasts 2-3 seconds and happens a few days a week. Mazda is a great brand, I highly recommend the 3 and it's engine. I always joke if she would have bought the better looking hatch over the sedan that her car wouldnt have the shaking issue lol. Her dad's 3 runs great. At almost 60k miles now.
 
But it is easy to work on in all the maintenance I've done so far. As far as the chain goes, unless something is making noise, chains arent really worth replacing, they are made to outlive the engine. If something is wrong with it, itll more than likely show its ugly face during the warranty period (worth noting that used Mazdas typically have a longer warranty period than brand new).

Girlfriend's dad does complain that sometimes he wishes he would have went with the larger 6, as he replaced his Camry with the 3, which is noticeably smaller.
 
It's common in a timing belt change to also change the water pump. With timing chain systems, is it also assumed that the water pump lasts the life of the engine?
 
The water pump on the Skyactiv engine is driven by its own dedicated vbelt, not the serpentine belt. It is not behind or under any engine coverings. It's made to be especially low drag - part of the whole "Skyactiv" philosophy. It'll be interesting to see how long it lasts (I have a 2012 Mazda3), but I'll bet it will be a LONG time.

If you want something to keep an eye on make it the hydraulic tensioner for the serpentine belt. The Critic showed one that he changed for a customer. It was all gunky on the outside due to seepage of hydraulic fluid. Mine is starting to get a little "wet" at 63,000 miles. I have found them online from Mazda dealers for $95 so when the time comes I guess I can handle it.
 
Originally Posted By: SpencerHSS
chains... are made to outlive the engine.


That would depend on how good a chain was used. They come in a variety of toughness. I was in a BMW shop and asked what they were doing - replacing the chain at about 100,000 miles. That was a pull the engine job. The shop owner said they get a lot of them. As with some Mazda 3's the culprit was the tensioner. Its a moot point about how good the chain is if the tensioner fouls it up. You still have to go to a lot of trouble repairing it.

I remember in the good old days replacing timing chains was pretty routine.
 
Originally Posted By: borgward
I am considering getting a 2016 Mazda 3 2.0 litre.

Looking under the hood I saw that it might be extremely difficult to change the timing belt.

I noticed it has 13:1 compression ratio. Does a high compression ratio affect wear?

Where is the water pump located on that engine? Good issue to bring up.

As with some Mazda 3's the culprit was the tensioner. Its a moot point about how good the chain is if the tensioner fouls it up.


Have you even driven the car yet?
You sure are busy looking for reasons to rule it out, why not just forget about it, and move on to a different car?

BC.
 
Ruled it out a long time ago. Thinking something inline engine in the front, real wheel drive. I was just pointing out that chains are not necessarily problem free. A belt has a life limited to 8 years regardless of mileage. A chain's life thought is not limited to time, but to mileage and other factors such as damage from bad tensioner's. I wrote off the Mazda as I could not get a good idea of what it would take to replace the chain. Mazda 3's had a reputation for eating chains in the past. I certainly did not want to have to pull an engine to do that chore. Anyone have any idea what is involved in replacing the chain?
 
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