Running rough

[wfo13]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I had the car serviced today, it has been running a bit rough and I put it down to just needing a service. Have been busy and it is 5k overdue.
Mazda called me to say the key at the end of the crank shaft has shattered and the pulley is out of whack, which has most likely put the crank shaft out of whack aswell.
As I need the car, and it will require the engine to be pulled out and inspected, they have tightened anything they could and told me to drive with caution as I could shear the end of the crank shft right off.
Has anyone heard of this, or are they just trying to get more money out of me. Looks like I have a decision to make.[/color:post_uid0]

[IZG-00D]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]it sounds like abit of both. 50/50.[/color:post_uid0]

[BigMal]

[color=#000000:post_uid1]Its a known problem on the B6 motors breaking the crankkeys.
This was supposed to be fixed by the use of a larger keyway
on the BP's but I have heard of it happening on BP turbo's
but not really on N/A motors, but it is possible. Is not a
good thing. Once the balancer is not seated right it rattles
around and being effectively just a weight it can cause the
end of the crank to snap off if it wobbles too much.
Sorry to say drive as little as possible and get it fixed.

Regards

Mal[/color:post_uid1]

[IZG-00D]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]yeh, what mal said...

fully sik...[/color:post_uid0]

[wfo13]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Thanks for quick replies.
Very helpful (but sad) to know it has been seen before.
I am about to leave work to pick up my sick little baby and drive home slowly. Thinking what to do.
Get it fixed?
Drop the car off to the auto shop in Ringwood for 6 weeks and get that s/c?
Trade in for a Mazda6?

Thanks again.[/color:post_uid0]

[IZG-00D]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]im pretty sure if you get a mazda mech to fix/replace the bloody thing, will definitely cost you huge dosh $$$.
just get another car as your astina's been trashed to many times.
mazda 6 is a good choice. very family luxury type car. my friend at TAFE (only 22 yrs old) bought one for $46K sports pack two weeks ago... silly little boy wants to do some mods to the car... its not a fully sik idea to do that...[/color:post_uid0]

[wfo13]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]FYI, for those interested.
They said crankshaftkey problem can arise when the cam belt is changed and the bolt in the end of the shaft not tighten enough. Thing is they changed the belt. I have had the car from new and have given it a caneing but wouldn't say it has had a thrashing.
Mazda quoted $1700 to replace crank shaft and relevent bits.
Second option given from Mazda was $2500 for a 97 1.8 thats done 2000k's (supposed). Includes the labour.
Thrid is the visit to their sales dept tomorrow work out a trade in price on a Mazda6.
I am leaning toward option 2 at the moment, as the company car (2003 XR8) is still 3months away. The Astina is my toy and am a bit reluctant to part with it forever.[/color:post_uid0]

[IceWish]

[color=#336633:post_uid0]Why is it that anywhere in the world MAZDA ripps people off ........its just a bunch of krapp.I love my mazda 323 and i swear by it....but come on......Its all about the $$$$$
Last year i went to the MAZDA dealer here for 1 fog lamp it ..they sait it was $2,500TTD which is $684 AUD..just for a fog lamp..........They said the bulb alone was $68 (AUD).I left there and got the exact bulb in a parts store for $9...which is $2 AUD..........[/color:post_uid0]

[IZG-00D]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]i would go for the third option... that's if you can afford it ($45K sports pack).
if you trade in the astina, probably get only $10K (which in fact is farked up) but what can you do.
it's not just mazda dealers that sell expensivce original parts...
go for the mazda 6.
fully sik bro, fully sik...[/color:post_uid0]

[Rupewrecht]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]damnd that sux :(

or go option 4: drop in the GTX engine and turbo/supercharge it :D[/color:post_uid0]

[kyra]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]wfo13,

if you are going to ringwood mazda, go and see Steve Ephrames... he is one of my best mates... top salesperson... honestly, ringwood mazda are pretty good, but they are all ****e on trade ins.... tell steve that Bill sent you down for the mazda6... once you go see him, i'll have a chat to him too...

ahhh, cost price mazda parts! hehe

cheers,

Bill[/color:post_uid0]

[BigMal]

[color=#000000:post_uid1]Option 4 !!
Half cuts are around $2500.

Mal[/color:post_uid1]