Finally bit the bullet and took my car to the Mazda dealership....almost $200 to get a "real" diagnosis. It is going to remain there till Monday but their initial test indicated that my cylinder head gasket is not blown!!!! I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that this is indeed true.

If my Millenia is going to stagger along for a while longer (or at least until I can find a job) I will need to fix the door lock. My keyless entry died a long time ago. I believe it needs a new cylinder as the key will no longer go into the lock so I was using the passenger door to open the car.

My question is, if a new cylinder is installed will I need to get a new key
to open the door?

Thanks!

 

The head gaskets on those are layered steel plates so the gaskets never blow. The cylinder heads can warp but the gasket wont blow.
The lock cylinder spring loaded flap usually breaks and can be fixed by a locksmith usually. If you replace the cylinder it will be a different key unless you let a locksmith handle it in which case they would probably rekey it.

 

I am just blown away by the kindness and knowledge on this forum.

I will follow your advice about the locksmith as I certainly would prefer not to have to re-key.

Again, thank you.