RIP Mazda3 engine

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14

Does anyone know if I can pull my upgrades off the car if they total it? I've got like $1,000 into the suspension that I'd kind of like back... and my brand new freaking tires that I got like 2 weeks ago.

ecam8000 · Postby **ecam8000** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14

Yes you can pull upgrades as long as you have the stock parts to put back. Years ago I pulled a "built" engine out and stuffed a stocker back in, before it got towed away.

As far as the hydraulic. It doesn't take that much water to "lock" and engine. In general the starter does not have the power to bend a rod. Push or pull starting can bend rods dependant on the gearing and traction. I don't know the events around what happened. Water will make it stop running or cause it to run poorly. If you pulled all four plugs, would it have turned more than 120*? I repaired engines (small and large) that were submerged. Get the water out, clean oil and filters in and most of the time that is all it takes to get them working again.

Where is the CAI inlet? Did it get underwater or simply got doused with a splash/wave? If the location is bad, it can happen again. If splash shields would help keep the filter away from direct contact with a wave, we can build those. The stock parts have are pretty good at controlling water.

Keep your chin up!

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14

I need to source stock shocks and springs then... I have the stock wheels but no rubber for them. And I'll need a stock airbox... damn. This is if they total it though.

With all four plugs pulled it didn't turn more than 120 degrees. And the engine wasn't completely filled, it was only in 2 cylinders.

The inlet was behind the left front fog. The thing that did it in was when we took it for a test drive after letting the filter dry out. There were massive collections of water near where we were that were unavoidable. One puddle went as high the bottom of my vehicle. That's when the engine quit.

I'm definitely trying to keep my chin up. It's the whole process of being unaware of what will happen and what I'll need to prepare for that's really freaking me out.

ecam8000 wrote:Yes you can pull upgrades as long as you have the stock parts to put back. Years ago I pulled a "built" engine out and stuffed a stocker back in, before it got towed away.

As far as the hydraulic. It doesn't take that much water to "lock" and engine. In general the starter does not have the power to bend a rod. Push or pull starting can bend rods dependant on the gearing and traction. I don't know the events around what happened. Water will make it stop running or cause it to run poorly. If you pulled all four plugs, would it have turned more than 120*? I repaired engines (small and large) that were submerged. Get the water out, clean oil and filters in and most of the time that is all it takes to get them working again.

Where is the CAI inlet? Did it get underwater or simply got doused with a splash/wave? If the location is bad, it can happen again. If splash shields would help keep the filter away from direct contact with a wave, we can build those. The stock parts have are pretty good at controlling water.

Keep your chin up!

I`m Batman · Postby **I`m Batman** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14

I would try to remove all the aftermarket parts if possible... just in case they total it. That way you don't have to deal with the drama if they won't let you take them off afterwards.

chromal · Postby **chromal** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14

bellalyssa wrote:I need to source stock shocks and springs then... I have the stock wheels but no rubber for them. And I'll need a stock airbox... damn. This is if they total it though.

I actually have a set of 2nd-gen shocks/springs that jankyboy gave away after upgrading their suspension. I have no idea if these would even fit your 1st gen, though if they can help you save something useful for the car if totalled, you're welcome to have them.. Also, my summer tires are getting delivered next week, was gonna just dispose of the OEM Yokohama 205/50R17 all-seasons, but you'd be welcome to have 'em too.

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14

You are a godsend... we will make the 2nd gen shocks work if necessary... As long as something is on there I don't think they will care.

chromal · Postby **chromal** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14

bellalyssa wrote:You are a godsend... we will make the 2nd gen shocks work if necessary... As long as something is on there I don't think they will care.

You gonna be at Sunday's cruise? I could easily bring them.

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14

chromal wrote:You gonna be at Sunday's cruise? I could easily bring them.

I'll see if I can grab the CRV from my mom again. I won't be cruising in that though lol.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14

Yea I bet if you didn't bring it up that you swapped out some parts they wouldn't even know the difference. I'd do it before turning the vehicle over to them though for sure just in case.

You can also buy the vehicle back after they total it if you still want to keep the car. My Miata got totaled by hail last year and they gave me a check for what they valued the car at minus like $500 for me buying the vehicle back from them. But if they total it and you buy it back it's "as is" so it won't have a working engine at that point. Luckily for me the car still ran fine, it's just cosmetic.

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14

The adjuster comes on Monday and IF they total it I can think about it for a few days. During that time I'd put it back to stock.

If I buy it back I'd get around a $1700 check for the difference between the value and the salvage value.

I think they're going to repair it though. The car is worth around $6300 in "fair" condition. I just might have to strong arm them into repairing it with the modifications.

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:14

Verdict is....

ENGINE REPLACEMENT!!! Woohooo!!!

New engine will have 71k on it which is big improvement from the 118k that was previously on it.

Total bill for repair: $4,549
My responsibility: $250

tnerb · Postby **tnerb** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:14

Good to hear when do you think it will be back out on the road?

I`m Batman · Postby **I`m Batman** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:14

Awesome!

roninsoldier83 · Postby **roninsoldier83** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:14

bellalyssa wrote:Verdict is....

ENGINE REPLACEMENT!!! Woohooo!!!

New engine will have 71k on it which is big improvement from the 118k that was previously on it.

Total bill for repair: $4,549
My responsibility: $250

I stick with my previous position: next time use fire (as opposed to water) in order to ensure complete destruction in order to receive a rather sizable insurance check.

JK.... maybe.... LOL. Congrats on getting out of this situation without having to sell your kidneys on Craigslist or promise the soul of your unborn child to a bookie in order to pay for a new motor. Good luck getting it put back together.

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:14

tnerb wrote:Good to hear when do you think it will be back out on the road?

Next week or the week after

RIP Mazda3 engine

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