noob with engine troubles - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

briang97603 · 10-18-2009, 03:05 AM

please help me.
I have a 2006 6 3.0 with just under 60K miles. A few weeks ago it started cutting out once the fuel tank falls below 1/4. I have tried searching for help with this but I have not found anything. There are so many things to check with this, fuel filter, fuel pump, water in fuel, etc. I am just wondering if anyone else has had this problem with this and knows where to start.

Thanks
B

seigfredm · 10-19-2009, 04:46 PM

QUOTE (briang97603 @ Oct 18 2009, 12:05 AM)

Quote:

please help me.
I have a 2006 6 3.0 with just under 60K miles. A few weeks ago it started cutting out once the fuel tank falls below 1/4. I have tried searching for help with this but I have not found anything. There are so many things to check with this, fuel filter, fuel pump, water in fuel, etc. I am just wondering if anyone else has had this problem with this and knows where to start.

Thanks
B[/b]

might be just a gauge problem, zero out your trip meter after fill up. If you get 300 miles with still 1/4 tank on average city/freeway it might be a gauge problem assuming you get about 21 mpg. just my two cents

ButtonPuncher · 10-19-2009, 10:36 PM

I also have an '06 V6. I also have the same problem. I don't think that anyone on here has found a fix. I only have 9,500 miles on my car. I think it's a problem with the fuel pump module design.

The only thing that people have said to do is to change the fuel filter. I haven't done that yet because I have my doubts that it will do anything. The fuel pump is obviously sucking in air and not getting fuel. Just park on an incline with less than 1/4 tank. Listen to the car by the rear seat bottom. You will hear a muffled popcorn popper type sound. That is your fuel pump sucking up air.

I'm going to dig into this problem further but not 'til spring. I'll be sure to post my findings. Do what I do until then... Treat the 1/4 tank mark as empty.

BTW, I got the crap scared out of me a couple months ago. I was on a freeway onramp. Uphill at WOT. It surged VIOLENTLY. Not good. That's why I want to figure this out.

BP

lacuna · 10-20-2009, 09:22 AM

The fuel filter is built into the fuel pump and can be cleaned but not replaced. Personally this is where I would start since it's a free fix.

briang97603 · 10-21-2009, 02:12 PM

thanks for the suggestions, i will look into the fuel filter and see if i can do anything with that. i am sorry to hear that others have the same issue, but at the same time i am relieved. at least now i know it is not just my car.

thanks for the help.

briang97603 · 10-22-2009, 12:11 PM

I am going to take a good look at this problem over the weekend. Any other suggestions of ideas I should look at with this issue while I am tinkering?

kenboy_copper6 · 11-01-2009, 01:36 AM

I have the same problem.
I have a 2005 6S 5door AT. About a year ago I first noticed the problem.
Before this started I had driven the car down to the 'E' with no problems. Now - if I get at or below the last hash mark before the 'E' on the gauge I will start sucking air in the pickup (you can hear it if you have the radio muted/off), especially on moderate cornering or hard acceleration.
When I get to this point and fill up the most I have been able to fill is 15 gal. so I know that the gauge is not bad. I record trip miles and fill gal. every time I fill up and my mileage is pretty consistent, just can't drive more than about 340 miles before needing to fill (avg. ~24 m/g).
I have just been monitoring my gas gauge and try to make sure I fill before I get to that last hash mark.

A couple of weeks ago I was getting low on gas and before I could fill up I got a cel. I tried my old OBD scanner but it wouldn't work on the Mazda. So I just got a new scan tool that will work with the CAN interface and pulled these codes: P0455, P0442, P2187, P2189, P2197.
The P04xx codes have to do with Evap.system leaks, the P218x codes have to do with Lean/Rich issues and the P2197 seems to be geared to the O2 sensors.
Since there is air picked up in the gas line I can see where it could think there was lean problem - try to compensate - then gets full fuel flow and goes rich.
I have finally cleared the cel and will see if it returns soon.

Not being familiar with the structure of the filter, pickup, pump assembly I am not anxious to drop the tank and pull things apart to see what the issue is.
Since I have 79K+ miles I am well out of warranty and dread the thought of what the dealer would charge for repairs.

It would be great to hear if anyone comes up with a specific diagnosis of exactly what the problem is.

kenboy_copper6 · 11-08-2009, 12:57 AM

QUOTE (copper 6 5 door @ Oct 31 2009, 11:36 PM)

Quote:

A couple of weeks ago I was getting low on gas and before I could fill up I got a cel. I tried my old OBD scanner but it wouldn't work on the Mazda. So I just got a new scan tool that will work with the CAN interface and pulled these codes: P0455, P0442, P2187, P2189, P2197.
The P04xx codes have to do with Evap.system leaks, the P218x codes have to do with Lean/Rich issues and the P2197 seems to be geared to the O2 sensors.
Since there is air picked up in the gas line I can see where it could think there was lean problem - try to compensate - then gets full fuel flow and goes rich.
I have finally cleared the cel and will see if it returns soon.[/b]

Well - I found out the cel had nothing to do with the fuel pickup problem. Turned out to be a bad evap purge solenoid. Stuck in the open position allowing too much air in at idle. When I took it out air would flow through valve until I tapped it with the handle of a screwdriver then it went closed. Put a new solenoid in anyway as I figured it would probably just stick open again soon.

Concerning the fuel pickup issue - does anyone have a diagram of the in-tank components and has anybody seen information on removing/replacing gas tank in the Mazda 6??

Jonathan · 01-24-2010, 09:32 PM

Bump for this. I'm having the same issue.
k

Today I was driving in second gear and gave it the berries and when the rpms hit about 5k and it violently "cut out". Like a fuel cut, or a huge miss.

Deffinetly not a easy feeling.

10-18-2009, 03:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
briang97603 Learners License Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Klamath Falls Oregon Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	please help me. I have a 2006 6 3.0 with just under 60K miles. A few weeks ago it started cutting out once the fuel tank falls below 1/4. I have tried searching for help with this but I have not found anything. There are so many things to check with this, fuel filter, fuel pump, water in fuel, etc. I am just wondering if anyone else has had this problem with this and knows where to start. Thanks B __________________ briang97603 Klamath Falls Oregon "The race is long.. but in the end, it is only with yourself." ~unknown.

10-19-2009, 10:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
ButtonPuncher Drivers License Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I also have an '06 V6. I also have the same problem. I don't think that anyone on here has found a fix. I only have 9,500 miles on my car. I think it's a problem with the fuel pump module design. The only thing that people have said to do is to change the fuel filter. I haven't done that yet because I have my doubts that it will do anything. The fuel pump is obviously sucking in air and not getting fuel. Just park on an incline with less than 1/4 tank. Listen to the car by the rear seat bottom. You will hear a muffled popcorn popper type sound. That is your fuel pump sucking up air. I'm going to dig into this problem further but not 'til spring. I'll be sure to post my findings. Do what I do until then... Treat the 1/4 tank mark as empty. BTW, I got the crap scared out of me a couple months ago. I was on a freeway onramp. Uphill at WOT. It surged VIOLENTLY. Not good. That's why I want to figure this out. BP __________________ '06 6s 6-speed ATX - Lapis Blue - bought it in Dec '08 with 4100 miles on it. LOL! '96 Ford Contour 2.0L Zetec MTX - my project car I normally live on the CEG

10-21-2009, 02:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
briang97603 Learners License Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Klamath Falls Oregon Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	thanks for the suggestions, i will look into the fuel filter and see if i can do anything with that. i am sorry to hear that others have the same issue, but at the same time i am relieved. at least now i know it is not just my car. thanks for the help. __________________ briang97603 Klamath Falls Oregon "The race is long.. but in the end, it is only with yourself." ~unknown.

10-22-2009, 12:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
briang97603 Learners License Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Klamath Falls Oregon Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I am going to take a good look at this problem over the weekend. Any other suggestions of ideas I should look at with this issue while I am tinkering? __________________ briang97603 Klamath Falls Oregon "The race is long.. but in the end, it is only with yourself." ~unknown.

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10-20-2009, 09:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
lacuna Track Racer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Codumbass Oh Posts: 521 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	The fuel filter is built into the fuel pump and can be cleaned but not replaced. Personally this is where I would start since it's a free fix.

11-01-2009, 01:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
kenboy_copper6 Learners License Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lake County, IL Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I have the same problem. I have a 2005 6S 5door AT. About a year ago I first noticed the problem. Before this started I had driven the car down to the 'E' with no problems. Now - if I get at or below the last hash mark before the 'E' on the gauge I will start sucking air in the pickup (you can hear it if you have the radio muted/off), especially on moderate cornering or hard acceleration. When I get to this point and fill up the most I have been able to fill is 15 gal. so I know that the gauge is not bad. I record trip miles and fill gal. every time I fill up and my mileage is pretty consistent, just can't drive more than about 340 miles before needing to fill (avg. ~24 m/g). I have just been monitoring my gas gauge and try to make sure I fill before I get to that last hash mark. A couple of weeks ago I was getting low on gas and before I could fill up I got a cel. I tried my old OBD scanner but it wouldn't work on the Mazda. So I just got a new scan tool that will work with the CAN interface and pulled these codes: P0455, P0442, P2187, P2189, P2197. The P04xx codes have to do with Evap.system leaks, the P218x codes have to do with Lean/Rich issues and the P2197 seems to be geared to the O2 sensors. Since there is air picked up in the gas line I can see where it could think there was lean problem - try to compensate - then gets full fuel flow and goes rich. I have finally cleared the cel and will see if it returns soon. Not being familiar with the structure of the filter, pickup, pump assembly I am not anxious to drop the tank and pull things apart to see what the issue is. Since I have 79K+ miles I am well out of warranty and dread the thought of what the dealer would charge for repairs. It would be great to hear if anyone comes up with a specific diagnosis of exactly what the problem is.

01-24-2010, 09:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jonathan Learners License Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Bump for this. I'm having the same issue. k Today I was driving in second gear and gave it the berries and when the rpms hit about 5k and it violently "cut out". Like a fuel cut, or a huge miss. Deffinetly not a easy feeling.