My 07 Speed3 sound like a VW Diesel

[Lex2007]

I cant seem to get an answer about what this sound is. Its not the typical failed VVT sound of the chain slapping against the valve cover. Its not present when the engine is cold, only when its warm.

Its so damn loud even my clueless girlfriend asked me what was wrong with the car.

80k miles on the engine...the sound has been present for about 5-7k miles and getting louder and louder.

This is not my video but my engine sounds the same. Here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=yBznuMsQ3KI

Someone speculated that its the "VVT gear". I don't even know what that means.

Your insights are appreciated.

[ArmanRus]

VVT gear means the VVT actuator. If that's what it is and the sound is getting louder (getting worse), you don't want to end up snapping the chain.

Pull the valve cover and check for score marks. I had mine changed out and when they started the car up I was totally surprised at how quiet it's suppose to be.

[CWP_MS3]

07 mazda speed3 engine noise what is it - YouTube

07 mazda speed3 engine noise what is it - YouTube

[Lex2007]

Originally Posted by ArmanRus VVT gear means the VVT actuator. If that's what it is and the sound is getting louder (getting worse), you don't want to end up snapping the chain. Pull the valve cover and check for score marks. I had mine changed out and when they started the car up I was totally surprised at how quiet it's suppose to be.

It isn't noisy at start up. At all. It sounds normal. It when it gets warm that it makes the noise.

[vote4chaos]

Was your issue resolved? Mine sounds exactly the same?
I have read everything from lifters needing adjusted to crank bearings possibly failing.
Please tell me it was your actuator and maybe what you did or paid to fix it.
Thanks,

[Lex2007]

I haven't done doodoo yet. Im just driving it. Once it gets a little warmer I'm gonna change the chain, chain tensioner and clean the exhaust ports out of an abundance of caution. But frankly, I don't think the chain tensioner is the issue.

I sure will keep ya'll posted.

[Nitr0EngiE]

where are you guys located

[Lex2007]

DC-Baltimore

[vote4chaos]

Knoxville, TN

[vote4chaos]

I was told last night how to check it, pretty easy. Not sure as to accuracy maybe someone else can confirm.??
But when cold remove oil cap and use a flat tip screw driver to lift up on the chain.
It should barely move no more then 1/16-1/8 inch.
After that drive the car a mile or 2 then park. Turn it off and immediately do step #1 .
It will be hot as hell so watch fingers/oilspray. It should not move at all, If it does its time to get the replacement kit.
Mine moved 1/4 inch cold and 1/8 warm.
Also, my car does not make hardly any noise on a cold start and once it warms up gets loud. Basically exactly like your symptoms.
GL

[Lex2007]

Originally Posted by vote4chaos I was told last night how to check it, pretty easy. Not sure as to accuracy maybe someone else can confirm.?? But when cold remove oil cap and use a flat tip screw driver to lift up on the chain. It should barely move no more then 1/16-1/8 inch. After that drive the car a mile or 2 then park. Turn it off and immediately do step #1 . It will be hot as hell so watch fingers/oilspray. It should not move at all, If it does its time to get the replacement kit. Mine moved 1/4 inch cold and 1/8 warm. Also, my car does not make hardly any noise on a cold start and once it warms up gets loud. Basically exactly like your symptoms. GL

Oh boy....I didnt think to check the chain once warm...stupid me. Ive been basically covering my eyes and ears in the hopes it was all a bad dream.

I will check and get back with you.

[Lex2007]

I checked the chain...its tight and snug.

Has anyone swapped the VVT gear and found that the noise I refer to in the video went away?

[sidekick]

Don't bother cleaning your exhaust ports, clean the intake valves/ports if anything. It could be lifters as well or even an exhaust leak.

[Lex2007]

Originally Posted by sidekick Don't bother cleaning your exhaust ports, clean the intake valves/ports if anything. It could be lifters as well or even an exhaust leak.

I cleaned the intake ports and valves last weekend. The noise persists.

[Lex2007]

ok so I finally got the answer to my question. Well sort of. It is timing related or something related to the VVT actuator or timing chain and tensioner.

I paid Mazda to replace those 3 parts, sight unseen ($920 with all shop fees and required oil change etc). The claim to have checked for the source of the oil leak (dripping out of the intake side of the turbo right at the hose and valve cover gasket) and found nothing out of the ordinary (for another $100...ehem).

I had changed the PCV valve a few weeks earlier to that in case that was the cause of the oil leak. (BTW the original PCV at 83k miles was still clicking when shaken...so it was likely still good).

Mechanic said the tensioner was maxed out and chain was slightly stretched.

Anyway the super loud diesel like noise is now much much reduced when idling when the engine is at max operating temp. I think what I hear now at idle are normal EGR noises. Feels smoother, pulls harder and I should soon know if MPGs have improved significantly.

So...if yours sounds like a diesel at idle....ITS THE VVT! Get it fixed.

[Stepans M&R]

I have an 08 speed3, only had it for about 2k miles. Has similar noise. Noise goes away when clutch it released. Anyone come across this and what should I look for? I replaced clutch about 500 miles ago, noise was there prior to the clutch job.
When you kick rpms to 2k you can hear a slight noise similar to how it sounds when you enter a gear and it grinds. I'll try to upload a video later.

[Lex2007]

need video.

[Stepans M&R]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gRBkAWT...ature=youtu.be

[Lex2007]

That sounds horrible. Your valvetrain is making a racket. That's the familiar sound of failing VVT actuator and sloppy timing chain my bro. Same shit noises I had.

I dont hear any gearbox noises.

How many miles on your car?

[Stepans M&R]

But the noise goes away as soon as I release the clutch. 101k miles

[Lex2007]

I only heard the racket on my car at idle. As soon as I started moving, aka clutch engaged, the sound went away.

From the video, I hear exactly the same noises my car made.

[Stepans M&R]

if you watch towards the end of my video, i release clutch and the noise goes away. Also as i rev it(a quick kick up to 2k), you can hear a grind as if you're grinding a gear while shifting. With clutch releases there is none of that noise.
I am suspecting a bad bearing.

You can hear the noise in 1st from 700-3k rpm, beyond that you can't really hear it over the engine noise.

[Lex2007]

ok, I listened again. Can you put the microphone on the passenger side near the firewall and rerecord?

[thrisnospork]

Pretty sure that's just the TOB making that racket. Mine makes the same exact noise but way less pronounced and goes away when I depress the clutch pedal.

[Stepans M&R]

I installed new clutch literally 200 miles ago, I'll record more when I'm off work

[Stepans M&R]

Sorry got to this a bit late https://youtu.be/qTc-5rTvN4U

[Lex2007]

Doesn't sound exactly like mine did, but mine didnt make the chain slap noise that most do but it sounds suspicious and that means you should rule out VVT actuator and tensioner.

[Stepans M&R]

I'm more and more convinced that's it's a bearing within the tranny, which ofcourse is a bummer but I'd like to pull apart one of these for experience haha. Anyone got any ideas on what to expect?