Car advice, please

[Abbey Marie]

I test drove one of my favorite cars today, a 2021 Mazda 6. It was really nice and I am very close to making a deal, but for one thing- when I accelerated hard to test out the turbo, I’m pretty sure it backfired. Russ thought so, too. We couldn’t reproduce it, and the salesman said the car just doesn’t do that. Ok.

Thoughts please? Is it concerning?

Other points:
Inventory for sedans is on the low side.
This is the last Turbo they have, and other dealers have very few too
I have a good offer for a Nissan Altima which expires tomorrow, because it’s their end of year.

@darin

[icansayit]

Backfire's usually mean either bad sparkplugs, or Timing, and possibly bad gasoline.

If you decide to buy it. Get something in writing that THEY are bound to repair, or correct.

The Contract...Means everything (as I'm sure you both know). If it's not written down...the Dealer holds all the cards..and YOU PAY THE PRICE.

Hope that helps. Personally...I'd look at another vehicle.

[Kathianne]

Hey Abbey! I'm also looking at Mazda, though CX-5. I'm wanting to sit higher. I've had my Mazda 6 for more than 15 years, she's like me, getting old. Been a good car though.

[Abbey Marie]

Hey Abbey! I'm also looking at Mazda, though CX-5. I'm wanting to sit higher. I've had my Mazda 6 for more than 15 years, she's like me, getting old. Been a good car though.

Have a pic? That’s so cool.

[Kathianne]

Have a pic? That’s so cool.

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The Mazda6-2004. From my balcony ,sorry.

[Kathianne]

CX-5. I'm probably going to get 2020 or 2019:

[Abbey Marie]

Backfire's usually mean either bad sparkplugs, or Timing, and possibly bad gasoline.

If you decide to buy it. Get something in writing that THEY are bound to repair, or correct.

The Contract...Means everything (as I'm sure you both know). If it's not written down...the Dealer holds all the cards..and YOU PAY THE PRICE.

Hope that helps. Personally...I'd look at another vehicle.

Good advice, AT, thanks!

[jimnyc]

I test drove one of my favorite cars today, a 2021 Mazda 6. It was really nice and I am very close to making a deal, but for one thing- when I accelerated hard to test out the turbo, I’m pretty sure it backfired. Russ thought so, too. We couldn’t reproduce it, and the salesman said the car just doesn’t do that. Ok.

Thoughts please? Is it concerning?

Other points:
Inventory for sedans is on the low side.
This is the last Turbo they have, and other dealers have very few too
I have a good offer for a Nissan Altima which expires tomorrow, because it’s their end of year.

@darin

I searched a bunch and the good thing is that it's mostly got stellar reviews and the backfiring isn't something widely reported at all.

If I had to guess I would say something related to sitting around. plugs or gas maybe? Darin will know much much more about the Mazda as well!

AT was spot on, and here's a list I found to show what he's talking about:


Mazda 6: Backfiring Causes

One of the more jarring vehicle problems that you can experience is a backfire. It sounds like a shotgun blast and can scare you if you’re not prepared for it. If your Mazda 6 is backfiring, common causes include improper engine timing, bad spark plugs, engine running rich, and plug wires (if so equipped).

Mazda 6 Backfiring: Common Causes

Here are the main reasons why your Mazda 6 would be backfiring:

1. Ignition System

Your Mazda 6’s ignition system consists of spark plugs and ignition coil packs. The engine may use an ignition coil and distributor instead of a coil pack for each cylinder. Typically, only older models use a distributor these days.

Any part of the ignition system can go bad. When this happens a weak spark ignites the mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber leaving fuel behind. On the exhaust stroke this mixture will burn up creating the loud backfire.

2. Running Rich

A rich fuel mixture leads to there being leftover fuel after combustion. When this happens, backfiring is the byproduct. Your 6 uses a series of sensors to measure the air and fuel going into the engine, as well as the oxygen content of the exhaust. A rich condition can occur when one of these sensors has failed.

3. Timing

Ignition timing is a very common cause of backfiring. Many modern vehicles use variable valve timing (VVT). When VVT goes bad, it can leave your 6 with the wrong timing for the situation. You’ll often get trouble codes P0011 or P0014.

Your 6 uses a timing chain or belt to keep the camshaft(s) and the crankshaft synced together. If it jumps a tooth, it can throw the entire vehicles timing off to the point that it can backfire. Here’s more on detecting a bad timing chain/belt.

Mazda 6 Backfire Diagnosis

The best way to start is to start with the check engine light. If it is on, you can pull the diagnostic trouble does with a good code scanner. They will provide you with vital information that’ll help you narrow down why your 6 is backfiring.

Check the Spark Plugs

It would be best to start with what is easiest. Taking a look at the spark plugs and determining their health is the easiest thing that you can do. It is also one of the most common reasons that a gas engine backfires. Here’s a writeup on how to tell if your 6 has bad spark plugs.

If the spark plugs look like they’ve fouled out, they are going to need replaced.

Rest here - https://www.700r4transmissionhq.com/...ire-diagnosis/


And might I also suggest an alternative? And I couldn't help but note the turbo and your interest in speed...

[Abbey Marie]

Thanks for the advice!
We already got a $40 less per month offer from another dealer for the same car. So not going to buy the original one either way.

[icansayit]

Thanks for the advice!
We already got a $40 less per month offer from another dealer for the same car. So not goi g to buy the original one either way.

I really can't take any real credit for what my opinion was. But...what I passed as my advice came from many, many years ago...1963, when I got my drivers license...and drove the family car....1948 Ford Coup. Six cylinders (flat six) distributor, and One barrel carburator...which I learned to maintain and work on myself...out of need, since we were less than wealthy.
Just before I went in the navy in 64, my Dad bought a 55 Ford, and gave me the 48. Which I painted in High School...CANDY APPLE RED, and added all of the Chrome parts I could.

SAD Ending though. After I left for the navy. My father SOLD THE 48 FOR $600.00. Nothing more to say except. That's what Alcoholic parents did back then. Never saw my car again.

[darin]

most turbo cars will pop and bang - and i love them for it. If you run hard on the accelerator the ecu will up the fuel but if you back off instantly the car runs momentarily super-rich.

Pop! Bang!

It should to it most on deceleration - like hard on the gas, then quick lift while in gear. In that instance I think it's probably okay, the rest of the info here notwithstanding.

Tuners of turbo cars often offer a 'bangs and pops' tune that makes the car do that nearly always.

I find it endearing

[Abbey Marie]

Thanks, D. That is what I did when it happened, as I recall. Accelerated pretty hard, then let up on the gas quickly. I was testing it for quick acceleration- the kind you need off a light, or passing some dweeb left-lane coaster. Then I got nervous because I was on a suburban road. (Should have done it on a highway, but there wasn’t one near the dealer).

I knew you would know.

Hey, this all made me think of your old buddy GotZoom, I think his name was here on the board. I think you two lost touch over the years? I always thought he was a cool guy.

most turbo cars will pop and bang - and i love them for it. If you run hard on the accelerator the ecu will up the fuel but if you back off instantly the car runs momentarily super-rich.

Pop! Bang!

It should to it most on deceleration - like hard on the gas, then quick lift while in gear. In that instance I think it's probably okay, the rest of the info here notwithstanding.

Tuners of turbo cars often offer a 'bangs and pops' tune that makes the car do that nearly always.

I find it endearing

[tailfins]

I test drove one of my favorite cars today, a 2021 Mazda 6. It was really nice and I am very close to making a deal, but for one thing- when I accelerated hard to test out the turbo, I’m pretty sure it backfired. Russ thought so, too. We couldn’t reproduce it, and the salesman said the car just doesn’t do that. Ok.

Thoughts please? Is it concerning?

Other points:
Inventory for sedans is on the low side.
This is the last Turbo they have, and other dealers have very few too
I have a good offer for a Nissan Altima which expires tomorrow, because it’s their end of year.

@darin

Perhaps it's the last one that dealership has for a reason.

[Abbey Marie]

Perhaps it's the last one that dealership has for a reason.

That could be. Though there was a “chip problem” in the manufacturing facility for Mazda. Maybe just the Mazda 6, I’m not sure, and of the three dealers we contacted, they only had one of this Turbo model left. They will get more, though soonish.

[Abbey Marie]

Here’s the not- backfiring one I’m pretty close to deciding on.


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