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Mazda Tribute Start Stall Idle Problems

81 messages,  Last post on Jun 15, 2013 at 4:03 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda Tribute, SUV

Messages Page 6 of 9

#46 of 81 Re: Idle Problems with Mazda Tribute 2001 V6 Auto [dlovett] by saxybacon

Mar 15, 2011 (6:37 am)

Replying to: dlovett (Mar 09, 2011 12:51 am)
My 2001 Tribute (which I've had since it rolled off the lot) and now has 153K miles (240K km). I have had all the service done on time at the dealership. But I had the same issue starting mid-2010 and got it fixed about 2 months ago. I found that the symptoms dimished after I had been driving for about 15-20 minutes, so I thought my plugs were getting bad and needed a warmer engine to work better (even though Mazda installs plugs rated for 90K miles / 145K km, and I only used 2/3 of their life). I initially tried having the fuel system cleaned. That seemed to work for about a week, but I still had issues of rough idling and occassional stalling at red lights.
 
The dealership ran a diagnostic and told me that I had a crack in my head gasket, which was causing leaks of air into the system (which was worse when the engine was cold). Also, my idle speed sensor (which regulates the fuel/air mixture at different engine temps and RPMs) needed replacing. I hated to spend the money to get everything fixed, but my car runs like a charm now!
 
And since replacing the plugs involved taking the engine apart (which cost about $350US) the dealership replaced them at only the cost of the plugs while they had the head off to replace the gasket.
 
I hate that you already had the plugs replaced, but I would recommend having your mechanic look at your gasket and idle speed sensor. If that's the problem, hopefully your mechanic will realize his oversight and work with you on the repair bill (since he already had the engine apart and should have seen the condition of the gasket).

#47 of 81 Re: Idle Problems with Mazda Tribute 2001 V6 Auto [saxybacon] by deepsky1

Mar 15, 2011 (10:25 am)

Replying to: saxybacon (Mar 15, 2011 6:37 am)
"my car runs like a charm now!" WOW finally some good news.

#48 of 81 Dennis from Australia with Mazda Tribute to Saxybacon by dlovett

Mar 15, 2011 (3:24 pm)

Saxybacon, Many thanks for the time you spent putting together your very informative message. I have printed it out and I will certainly talk to the mechanics about it. I cannot understand why they didn't see the problems(if they were there) when the manifold was off. They have told me already that I am chasing my tail and I agreed due to the ongoing costs. We are pensioners and the wife is none too pleased that after the $750.00 she spent was really a waste of money. She is so dissalousioned about it, that she wants to trade it in and buy something else but I say to her that is also a very expensive exercise. Once again thanks for your support in this mind numbing debacle. Den

#49 of 81 Re: Idle became rough after changing spark plugs in my 2001 mazda tribute [jaiven] by cf21

Apr 23, 2011 (8:40 am)

Replying to: jaiven (Nov 02, 2008 5:14 pm)
I chased the same probllem and have the solution. My Tribute has 153,000 miles. 1. Replace all the intake manifold gaskets. Comes in a kit. Don't cheat. You need to replace the UPPER and LOWER intake runner gaskets and throttle body gasket. Grease the o-rints so they slide into place when tightening (won't bind and pinch) 2. I then replaced the plugs and coils while I was in there. 3. Also replaced the idle air control valve. I got my parts at Rockauto.com and Advance Auto. 4. I got MAF cleaner and spray cleaned the MAF sensor. Runs like a champ.

#50 of 81 Re: Idle became rough after changing spark plugs in my 2001 mazda tribute [jaiven] by cf21

Apr 23, 2011 (8:51 am)

Replying to: jaiven (Nov 02, 2008 5:14 pm)
I replaced ALL the intake manifold gaskets. Especially the UPPER and LOWER intake runnner gaskets. Comes in a kit. I installed new coils from Rockauto.com, new plugs, new idle air control valve and cleaned the MAF. I also replaced some worn vacuum hoses. The key culprit were the gaskets. I used my OBD II reader. When the OBD II reader tell you Lean mixture on both banks, the gaskets are the culprits. My car runs like new. Idles great and runs smoothe.

#51 of 81 Re: engine stall [deepsky1] by tootfoot

Jul 15, 2011 (1:02 pm)

Replying to: deepsky1 (Nov 04, 2009 8:40 pm)
I have a very similar problem with my 2001 Tribute (4 cyl, manual, 86k miles). Very intermittent, and it never happens when the mechanic is open! Mine used to do it only on hot days, but in the last 6 months it has done it on cooler days too. About 750 rpm seems to be my stalling point (which is also my idling point when it's running normally). Every time it stalls it starts right back up, and seems to be running fine.
 
Did you get any resolution from your dealer?

#52 of 81 2001 Mazda Tribute feels like car will stall when idling by jnitt

Aug 12, 2011 (5:37 am)

I have a 2001 Mazda Tribute with about 107k miles. The last time I got an oil change I was told that I need to have a transmission flush. I checked the fluid and it is a brownish color with no flakes. The car has been running perfectly fine, yesterday coming home it has started to feel like it will stall when I am idling, stopped at a light or something, and then once I go its fine. It does feel a little sluggish at first when excelerating. Could this be related to the transmission? I'm also not sure about getting the trans flush. I've read some things that don't suggest it.

#53 of 81 Re: Idle Problems with Mazda Tribute 2001 V6 Auto [saxybacon] by shouldibuy

Aug 31, 2011 (9:40 am)

Replying to: saxybacon (Mar 15, 2011 6:37 am)
Saxybacon, what was the cost of all the repairs? I am thinking of buying one used, but want to have the cost of repairs for negotiation purposes... thanks. Tiphanie

#54 of 81 No power on acceleration by lv2beach247

Sep 01, 2011 (12:47 pm)

I recently changed the valve cover gasket and afterwards the car (which was running fine before that) will not go, it starts fine and idles good, but once I put it into drive and start to go, it looses power, the faster I try to go the worse it gets. I've had so many things checked, spark plugs have been replace, fuel filter replace, hoses checked, catalytic converter checked, MAF sensor checked, etc.... No one seems to know what the problem could be. Any ideas?

#55 of 81 Re: 2001 Mazda Tribute feels like car will stall when idling [jnitt] by hate_my_mazda

Sep 22, 2011 (7:51 pm)

Replying to: jnitt (Aug 12, 2011 5:37 am)
I had that problem last year. I should've gotten the transmission flush because in the end I had to replace the whole transmission in the end. I have the 2001 Mazda tribute with 80K miles at the time. Now this year my engine and battery had to be replaced a month ago. Today it wouldn't start at all and not even sure what to check at this point . Bottom line nip it in the bud and get your transmission looked at now.

Messages Page 6 of 9

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