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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'92 Mazda 929, Problems After Repairs
Q:
I’ve just bought a used car. A ‘92 Mazda 929, V6. It ran fine
until I picked it up from a local auto repair shop, that specializes in
foreign repairs (Japanese cars). The repair shop changed all the belts
as well as the timing belt. I wanted to do this since the car just passed
95k miles (have also recently changed the oil, checked fluids, transmission
flush and filters). Ironically, when I came to pick it up, it would not
start. After about five minutes of trying, pumping it, flooring the gas
pedal it started. I have never before had any problems starting it. When
I drive off the car hesitates and stumbles during acceleration, also lack
of power. Otherwise the engine has a nice sound, and to get it up to speed,
I have to accelerate slowly. The repair shop technician also experienced
this during his test drive, but said it ran fine on test drive no.2. Well,
it did not to me... They said I could come back in a couple of days if
I had any problems with it. I went to another repair shop to get a second
opinion, they recommended a MotorVac Carbonclean service, what is your
opinion on that? Can it by any chance be improper placing of the timing
belt? I know it’s difficult, but do you have any suggestions on what
problems my car might have and what
A:
My impression? The timing belt is improperly positioned, causing the valve
timing to be incorrect. A vehicle like yours will run yet exhibit odd
driveability problems, while sounding just fine. A reinspection of the
timing belt is likely in order.
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