[cccpms6]

If anyone could help me out I would really appreciate it.

Basically my car is a 2006 ms6 and I've owned it for almost 2 years with no problem. Recently I've noticed a strange rattle on start up for like less than a second. Repeating start-up within a minute does not produce the rattle but anything after around 6 mins would produce a rattle. It seems to be coming from the passenger side of the engine where the timing belt is located. After listening to it my dad and I seem to think it might be tensioner for the belt, or maybe even the chain inside.

We noticed that the chain seemed loose for some reason, I'm not sure if its supposed to be like that or not. This could explain why it rattles a bit on start up.

After looking again we are almost positive its the chain. If anyone has had this happen before please pitch in.

Sorry if this might be a common issue, I've just never heard anyone saying anything about this.

 

[Uh-Oh]

I dont have a ms6... but Im going to guess it's vvt pin problem
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/cx7/bulletin/01-002-08-1896.pdf

 

[IHeartGroceries]

I dont have a ms6... but Im going to guess vvt pin problem

... still in warranty?

Highly likely.




TSB: 01-043/07

MULTI-MODEL - VARIABLE VALVE TIMING NOISE WHEN STARTING ENGINE

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS

2007 Mazdaspeed3 vehicles with VINs lower than JM1BK******742222 (produced before April 1, 2007)
2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles with VINs lower than JM1 GG******109660 (produced before April 1, 2007)
2007 Mazda CX-7 vehicles with VINs lower than JM3ER******166945 (produced before April 1, 2007)


DESCRIPTION

When the engine is started, some vehicles may exhibit a loud ticking noise from the variable valve timing actuator at first start for a couple of seconds. This is caused by the lock pin of the variable valve timing actuator not fully engaging. Heat treatment has now been added around the hole of the variable valve timing rotor lock pin to prevent this from happening.


Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.


REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. Verify customer concern.
2. Replace the variable valve timing actuator after the engine cools down. Refer to Workshop Manual section 01-10.
3. Do an engine flush and replace the oil filter with a new one to remove dust and metal particles from the engine.
4. Verify repair.

PART(S) INFORMATION

Part Number: L3K9-12-4X0B
Description: Variable Valve Timing Actuator
Qty.: 1


WARRANTY INFORMATION

NOTE:
This warranty information applies only to verified customer complaints on vehicles eligible for warranty repair. Refer to the Warranty Wizard for warranty term information.
Additional diagnostic time cannot be claimed for this repair.
Warranty Type: A
Symptom Code: 82
Damage Code: 9C
Part Number Main Cause: L3K9-12-4X0B
Quantity: 1
Operation Number / Labor Hours::XXC0YXRX / 3.2 Hrs. (CX-7), 3.3 Hrs. (Mazdaspeed3), 3.6 Hrs. (Mazdaspeed6)

Copyright © Mazda North American Operations

If you're under any type of warranty, take her in asap, with TSB literature in hand.
If you're not under warranty, I have seen dealer quotes ranging from $700-$1200 to repair this issue.

 

[cccpms6]

dang it, I've heard of the vvt pin problem but for some reason I thought it was something different.

Thanks man. Everything makes sense now.

 

[cccpms6]

Would it be safe for me to drive the car for sometime though?

EDIT: Basically my girlfriends birthday is this week and I am planning on visiting her. This requires a trip up to MA. So basically its a 500 mile trip one way. I really need to make this trip though. So I'm left with a question would it be safe to do this? Reading through the symptoms and procedure of the TSB it seems like it would not cause any damage. But I need to be sure.

 

[daztd]

I had my VVT pin replaced 2.5 yrs ago. Can it go bad again with the new heat treatment one?

 

[cccpms6]

I've looked throught the other threads on here about the timing chain tensioner and the vvt pin, I've noticed other people asking if these problems unfixed could cause problems in the near future.
I am sure people don't want to say it won't and than have someone lose their engine, but could someone tell me when they had this problem how long they've let it go till they took it in to get it fixed?

 

[SRTMikey]

My car made the noise when I bought it (used). Didn't know it was anything to worry about so I drove it for about 9 months until I read about the TSB on here and I got mine fixed. Don't know if I'll have troubles down the road though. (crossing my fingers I don't)

 

[IHeartGroceries]

Likely would be fine to make the road trip, but driving it long without fixing it could make problems worse.
It's barrowed time, just like everything else.