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only sometimes when i start the car there is a click or engine ping from somewhere in the engine bay but once its done this (only when first started) the engine seems to behave differently, the idling changes slightly, more fuel being used and loss of power and a dip in power before 4000rpm. but the strange thing is it will click again (only when first started) and the engine will run good. this happens all the time. i have had the ecu checked for errors and there were none so that rules out a faulty knock sensor. the mazda dealer think it could be the timing changing then the ecu compensates for the change and puts it right then it goes wrong and so on. just wondering if anybody had any ideas? thanks

Sticky VRIS or some kind of wonky switch/relay?

what do you mean by it clicks??

Open the hood and get a friend to start it, stand in front and listen for where the 'click' is coming from. Let us know from there.

found out the noise is not engine ping. its definately a click when the car is started. the noise is more noticable from the timing side of the engine. the click still only happens once when fired up hot or cold. no other noise just that click and the car becomes more hesitant and a slight loss in power.

do you have a lose wire possibly...maybe a far shot but it might be it

Hazarding a guess here, but does having the e-brake up or down have any affect on this scenario?
Might be hearing a relay for the headlights on the passenger side of the cabin. Won't hear it when the ebrake is up. Of course, that's linked to the DRL and you probably don't have that in Scotland. Nevermind.

the click is definately from the timing side of the engine but it makes the car lose power when it makes the noise then it will click the next time or in a couple of days and the engine will be back to normal it does this all the time.