Powertrain light : Mazda 5 Diesel

20161116

Hi all: I drive a 2011 Mazda 5 diesel. Whilst driving without issues for about 15mins on the M50 the powertrain light came on together with the TCS light. The power of the engine dropped noticeably. I could not drive above 70 kmph and the engine splurted a lot even doing that. So I reached home after about another 15mins and when I restarted the engine - no warning lights came on and the car runs fine like always. So taking it to a garage but any ideas what the cause might be before I do that please ?

teediddlyeye

No way of knowing beforehand I'm afraid.

Cartman78

Had a similar issue with a 2015 CX5 before Christmas.

Lost power on the motorway driving to work, a few lights and warnings popped on but car was grand driving home, no lights etc and was ok for about a week.

Same thing happened then again but much worse...lost power big time, dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree.

Turned out to be a very costly DPF issue in my case so hopefully that's not your diagnosis as well.

Seems to be a well known issue with Mazdas according to the numerous mechanics I rang 🙄

Larbre34

I'm afraid given the age of the car and the symptoms, it is most likely a DPF issue.

On a car of this age, I really wouldn't bother getting the full expensive fix, just get it removed, bypassed and deleted from the engine management computer.

Plenty of independents do it as a matter of routine and I can recommend one on the Naas Road who I've sent people to and all were happy.

colm_mcm

Is this a 1.6 diesel?

mikeecho

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120047300#Comment_120047300

Please don't do this.

.

20161116

Thanks for all the feedback folks.

The engine size is 1.6 L

I will leave the car in for repair and keep you updated.

teediddlyeye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120047618#Comment_120047618

Second this, bad idea. Not just from a morality point of view.

Only a matter of time before the NCT start failing for this. Then It'll just be more expensive to rectify properly.

Also I've had this issue trying to diagnose cars that have had bits deleted and can be a massive pain in the hole trying to find faults. Again more expensive in the long run.

Larbre34

No, he absolutely should do this.

Why would anyone spend €1,500 to 2k (at least) fixing a car worth 4.5k?

Do it, get another year or 18 months out of it, in the meantime make a plan to replace it.

20161116

My usual garage can't do anything till Tuesday.

So I am thinking I might DIY replace the spark plugs. Could worn or old plugs give rise to the issues described ?

I appreciate all inputs thanks to all so far.

Larbre34

I don't think you should do that, partly because amateurs shouldn't start tinkering on an engine that already has some faults, but mainly because diesel engines don't have spark plugs....

They do have glow plugs to provide immediate heat to aid diesel engine combustion in colder conditions, but a) the description of your problem doesn’t tally with a glow plug fault and b) they can break very easily in the engine head by someone who doesn't know what they're at.

Leave well enough alone and wait for the professional assessment.

teediddlyeye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120049858#Comment_120049858

Diesels don't have spark plugs.

Either way, wait until you've a diagnostic scan done on it. Otherwise you'll just be throwing parts at it.

20161116

Thanks again folks

newmember2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120048409#Comment_120048409

It'll cost 4.5k buying a replacement.

20161116

So diagnosis is faulty injector. Part is ordered so fingers crossed will be back on the road before too long.

Again thanks all.