What to notice...?

[quatzh]

Hi, I´m looking out for a new car, a MX3

But what is importent to look for at the V6 engine? Just so I don't buy a 'done' engine...

I have heard, that while the engine is running, then if I open the 'Oil input thing' the engine is not surposed to 'die'? Is that correct?

I'm sorry about my english and my engine knowledge...

Can anyone help me? before I buy a MX3 with a engine that is 'done'.....

<small>[ September 09, 2004, 05:17 PM: Message edited by: Quatzh ]</small>

[mxmaz]

I think it is normal when you take off the oil cap that the engine will shut off. Mine is burning oil and that seems to be normal for these engines when they have over 100 kms on them. Check for other things like oil on spark plugs, valve cover gaskets are common to go. Get it compression tested.. and all the other normal stuff

[mitmaks]

some engines die without cap some dont, depending on engine, of course its reasonable if it dies since it looses pressure it has inside

[TsiMiata]

It should die with the oil cap removed.

Check the coolant. If it is brown that means the head gasket is on it's way out.

Like someone else said check for oil in the spark plug holes. It wouldn't be a deal breaker if it did have oil in them. Just make sure to get some money off. If you do the valve cover gaskets yourself it will cost ~$100, If you pay someone it will be $200-$300.

Ask if the distributor has been replaced yet. If the car has 100k miles on it or more the dist. will die in the very near future.

find out when the timing belt was done last. If it hasn't been done by 100k miles it won't last much longer. You'll end up having to replace it yourself very soon. Make sure the water pump was done at the same time.

Check for an oil leak right above the oil filter(front of the engine). If it is leaking it's a somewhat cheap part- the oil pressure sending unit. They tend to leak so something to look out for.

I've never seen one of these engines with low compression. They will usually just burn tons of oil when they wear out. look for any oil smoke on start up. Also have someone watch the tail pipe as you drive away and look for smoke. Make sure your winding the engine way up in rpm when you do it.

<small>[ September 09, 2004, 05:47 PM: Message edited by: TsiMiata ]</small>

[IanL]

Originally posted by mitmaks:
some engines die without cap some dont, depending on engine, of course its reasonable if it dies since it looses pressure it has inside

It loses the vacuum (negative pressure ). When you remove the cap you create a giant vacuum leak, and the engine is flooded with unmetered air. That's why it dies.

It's actually a good thing. If you forget to put the cap back on after adding oil.......

[kenped8]

Tjek service book for service.If it has less than 100.000 km tjek if the cam friction gear is repaired mine started ticking after 80.000 km, total cost from Mazda dealer was 600$ but i was so lucky wenn i bought my car i got 6 months 100% warranty.

Se if there is rost underneeth the car (damn!!! Denmark for spreading salt on roads in winther)

But all in all tjek the engine very good, it is a very expensive engine to repair on.

Good luck!