Hey guys,

I am a new Mazda3 (2006, 2.3 hatch GT, 123800 km, 5 spd) owner and a new forum member as well!

I purchased my car privately 4 days ago and all seemed well during the test drive, but as soon as I signed the ownership, I have been hearing a ticking sound that you seem to have experienced as well. Best to say that the car sounds like a Diesel

In fact I heard it on the way back from the MTO office, but at the time I just thought it was the front license plate banging against the bumper as I had tightened it without a screwdriver at the point...but that was not the case

A few characteristics:
- You can hear it while cranking the engine, during idle and during driving
- Increases with Revs
- Audible even during idle (when car is not moving)..so it’s not the suspension, or brakes or tires…
- Can be heard from the cabin and upon lifting the hood it sounds as if it is coming from centre-left area if you are facing the engine.
- It seems as if the sound is less pronounced when I go uphill. It is louder while driving on a flat surface or going down hill.
- Oil is almost black, but service record indicates oil change at 119,500 km

I have barely put 200 kms on the car since I got it transferred to my name and out of those 150 have gone to get the car inspected at Westowne by Vito, MOT (Joe was not in, spoke to Vincent yesterday) and a private garage. All three sources say that the car needs a new engine.

Only Vito @ Westowne was able to venture a guess and indicated that it sounds as if a connecting rod is loose / bearing is worn. He was nice enough to provide the diagnostic for free as well. Today, I took it to MOT, hoping for a more cheerful prognosis, but they said that they can’t guess unless they tear apart the engine. So I basically learnt nothing new, but walked out with a lighter wallet.

Thanks so much for your help/advice/suggestions regarding causes, fixes or hookups…I am really quite nervous. I would be happy to send you a small audio file in which you can hear the engine idling and learn of your opinions.

What blows is that this is also my first car, I am just out of school and I need it to get to my new place of work, which is not easy to get to by public transport. So instead of focusing on my new job, I am stressing on a car I have barely driven/owned.

Buying an '06, I was hoping for a few years of satisfying and relatively trouble free ownership...but...sigh

I have been driving the car like a grandma, basically shifting at 2200 rpm or less and not using the air conditioner (to save the engine any more stress than is necessary)

Your help and comments would be much appreciated!

Regards,
Dhruv