Mazda 3.0L Engine Tune-Up

I have received a number of E-mails questioning why tuning up a Mazda 3.0L V6 engine is so expensive. I believe the subject is coming up now because so many of the 2000’s Mazda vehicles are getting into the maintenance mileage for spark plug replacement or are setting misfire codes as some of my E-mailers are experiencing. Since one of my customers with a 2003 Mazda MPV with 3.0L engine began setting a misfire code, I took some pictures so as to explain the expense.

Here’s what it looks like with the hood open and nothing touched.

Here it is with the plastic engine cover removed and the upper metal intake manifold/throttle assembly in view that must be removed to replace the rear spark plugs and coil on plug assemblies. The coil on plug assemblies look much like their Ford counterpart as in the second picture. They short out underneath the manifold. When doing one of these vehicles I always replace the coil on plug assemblies and give the customer a break on the set.

These pictures shows the upper intake off and the valve covers exposed where the spark plug holes are. Another item that should be replaced on one of these tune-ups is the PCV hose from the back of the upper intake manifold. It is a pattern failure on these engines and deteriorates at the intake fitting. I had already replaced my customer’s hose in the past on this one and the improved replacement from Mazda showed very little wear. Anyway, this is the reason why these are so expensive to tune up. That ends this installment of the Automotive inside baseball blog post.  :)

That’s all for this update, but if you’re appreciative of the information, here is a link to my new novel COLD BLOODED for Nook and Kindle. If you’re kind enough to read it and like it, please review it on the site you purchase it from. Thank You! Every little bit helps my writing gig. :)