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Double trouble, happened again

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Vdubchaos

Lifer
We have 2 Mazdas:
2000 MPV
2001 Protege

About 2 years ago that both cars had a rust spot in the exact same spot (in the bottom corner of the Drive side rear wheel, on the outside). Seemed like Mazda missed a spot on rust proofing on the factory line.

Few months ago both cars starting giving us troubles idling etc (CEL). Diagnosed MPV > it was the Intake boot (had a split in it). Went over to protege, same thing. We replaced it on both cars (easy enough).

So last week we had this rattle sound from under the car and I noticed Cat Convt cover was loose. So I ripped the damn thing off. Now Protege is making the same rattling noise. Time to take that one off too.

Noticed both exhausts are in pretty bad shape (typical for Japanesse car)....hangers not attached/rust everywhere.....bolts look BAD. I'm gonna have to JB weld the hangers back at least on the MPV as the flex pipe will take the pressure and fail (that has looked HORRIBLE past 3-4 years anyways....surprised it still has no hole).

So we are on 3rd instance of both cars failing in the same area at the same time. Good thing is, once I figure out one, troubleshooting is easy on the other.

Fun fun fun

PS. Overall both of these cars have given us 13/14 years of trouble free miles. We are very happy with them and will keep them until it no longer makes sense.

Just got new Tires for both cars too (Michelin Defenders) and planning on doing Timing belt with the kids within next month (on Protege).
 
Intake tract is a common fail on Mazda's from what I have seen. Happened to my friends P5 as well.
My biggest gripe about their cars in general is rust. The bodies on them are flat out garbage and in heavily salted areas you literally get 5-6 years before you start to see rust, and then a few years later it is totally out of hand. Until that gets sorted Mazda will never see a dime of my money.

Shame, the Protege5 I always liked, nice interior and nice driving car. Rot like there is no tomorrow.
 
CraigRT said:
Intake tract is a common fail on Mazda's from what I have seen. Happened to my friends P5 as well.
My biggest gripe about their cars in general is rust. The bodies on them are flat out garbage and in heavily salted areas you literally get 5-6 years before you start to see rust, and then a few years later it is totally out of hand. Until that gets sorted Mazda will never see a dime of my money.

Shame, the Protege5 I always liked, nice interior and nice driving car. Rot like there is no tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Outside of that little rust spot by the wheel, not much rust problems (exhaust, but that's common).

I don't see any rust in the engine bay either (infamous Protege rust issue on the top of the strut).

PS. I'm in New England
 
Older Mazdas weren't rust-proofed from the factory... so if you live anywhere in the upper NE rust gets around quick.

I don't think I've ever seen a (well-driven) miata without a little bit of rocker rust around here.
 
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