MX-3.com

Hey all,
I've been trouble shooting an overheating problem with a new car to me, an MX-3 v6 1993. drove it home ok no issues. next morning the thermostat pegs with in ten miles. So, I replaced the thermostat drove it about 25miles no issues temp gauge came up 1/3 perfect. the next day drove it 30 miles temp gauge near max then fluctuated down below 3/4 and back and forth! Okay so I go to pull spark plug wires and two of the deep set chambers are 1/2 full of oil!!! What on earth is that about??

It's just your valve cover gasket needs to be replaced. it's letting oil by


your thermostat issues might be...

... low on coolant/water?
air in system?
bad temperature sensor.

I'd check them all. the sensor is only a few dollars at the auto store.

Valve cover gaskit! Has Anyone seen a tech page on how to change this? This would be my first

Thanks so much

You are going to have to take off the Intake Manifold to change out the rear valve cover gasket.
Thats a pain in the butt for first timers.

The other valve cover gasket is very easy to change

I could provide more help tommorrow.
Ill get some pics for you on what bolts need to be taken out

That would be awesome !! Planning on tackling tuesday afternoon. This Mx-3 has potential I picked it up for a commuter car and i am finding out NO maintanence has been done!

Supplies? Intake gaskit and valve cover gaskit?

Might as well clean up the IAC and EGR while that intake manifold is off...

Flyer wrote:Might as well clean up the IAC and EGR while that intake manifold is off...

Okay. Since this is my first trip this far into an engine please explain further. I am all about doing it right and really resurrecting the mx-3

The only gaskets you should need are the valve cover gaskets.

Autozone or you can look on Ebay
Valve Cover gaskets from KLDE (2.5L V6 engine from Ford Probe's or Mazda Mx6) are the same.

I would not clean the IAC or anything to deal with the throttle body.

This guy sounds like he hasn't popped a hood before, spell it out for him guys, it honestly helps, I know this

where are you located?

V6? or V4?

you are looking for a valve cover gasket set like this.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/92-99-Mazda-626-Mill ... .m20.l1116


valve cover = big metal piece in your engine bay that says mazda on it.
gasket = black rubber peice that is inside the valve cover to stop oil leaking out.

for the front:

Take off the bolts that you see. Pull off the cover. removed the old seal. line where the new gasket seal is going with gasket sealer/maker (You can get it from any parts store). Place the gasket back on and leave over night.

For the rear:

Take of the intake manifold.(The big hunk of metal that has three long metal shafts on it.
then follow everything you did for the front.


I am going to do my engine next weekend and will create a write up with pictures!!

If you are brand new at car repair/maintenance, I would seriously look at the online manuals as well... they give step by step instructions and pictures... Spend some time reading up and making sure you understand what you need to do as well as if you have tools to do it.

http://www.mx-3.com/manuals/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think you should be fine as long as you can set up a system that makes you remember what bolts go where once you pull them off.
The gaskets are simply seals...when you take off the covers you have to make sure that you scrape off as much of the old seal as you can!

melb30x wrote:I think you should be fine as long as you can set up a system that makes you remember what bolts go where once you pull them off.
The gaskets are simply seals...when you take off the covers you have to make sure that you scrape off as much of the old seal as you can!

The valve cover gaskets are one piece rubber seals which fit into a groove on the Valve Cover itself, so you shouldn't have to scrape those...unless someone used RTV sealant with them(I've seen this done). As for the Intake, on the v6 that is, all the bolts holding it to the heads are the same, with 4 studs. All of these get torqued to the same ft/lb...just remember to use the correct sequence. As for the gasket, I would replace it as well. Just my opinion though...

hey guys so seems that the valve cover gasket question was asked ... may be a little while back ago but ... i think here is the best place to ask my question hoping for a response my fear the mx-3 scene is dying out with time ...

so like our friend here i want to replace my valve cover gasket got a bit of oil in some of my spark plugs area not a lot but still heart braking considering the good ol' k8 is out of there and i think i have a "KLZE" could be "KLDE" I guess soon will find out once the cover is out and read the cam gear code... which by the way the gasket and IM gaskets should all be the same for K8 KLZE and KLDE ...right !!!? right

so my QUESTION...
sorry for the run on sentences...

Any specifications on the pattern to take out the bolts any diagram you guys have seen with bolt numbers 1 ,2 ,3 ...etc when taking it out and putting it back well putting it back would be the same sequence i guess..

The torquing as mentioned above ^ ... earlier that the manual has the torque specs but the bolt sequence !!!! any help much appreciated

When removing the bolt they should be taken off from the outside to the inside. something like this:

1 7 13 9 3
5 11 12 6
2 8 14 10 4

and reverse for putting them back on.