03' 323 2.0L sport. 3 problems. clutch slip, grinding noise, hesitation
 

Hi all,

first post as just registered. I have 3 problems/questions I would like to ask to see if anyone has had the same and/or can advise me how to proceed.

CAR - mazda 323 2.0L sport 2003 plate

1) when flooring the car, after a quick gear change it feels and sounds like i'm riding the clutch (revs go up slightly and it kinda has the sound that an automatic makes when it changes gears). I'm thinking clutch clip, but i'm not sure if the clutch is on the way out or if it's just too much power making it slip? First 2.0L i've owned so i have no comparison. I've tried 1 test for the clutch, flooring it in 5th gear at 20mph - no revving or slipping.


2) specifically at 3500rpm, whether changing gear or just revving with clutch either depressed or not, there's a grinding noise. my heart is telling me gearbox BUT i'm hoping it's a heat shield just rattling about? this happens as said above, either when changing gear at high revs, or when stationary with clutch in or out. i've been revving it under the bonnet and i can hear it slightly but not nearly as much as i can when im actually driving it, so this should narrow down where it's coming from (i hope). havn't had much chance to get underneath it yet to have a butchers and a wriggle of things


3) there's a sort of hesitation with the engine, randomly it seems although a slight pattern could be found after cruising say at 50 with gas slightly depressed, then putting foot down. it's like the engine dies for a split second, then back to life. thinking sparks, leads and dizzy or coilpack, cam or crank sensor, even an O2 sensor? not sure but would like some advice.


No EML light has come on so I don't *think* any codes have been stored however i'm gonna buy a code reader anyway cos it'l be handy at least once in my life im sure.


Sorry for a long post, didn't want to spam the forum with 3 posts so just made one. Only had the car a couple of weeks. Willing to fix/work on it myself.

Thanks,

Tom

thinking about it, the 2) problems cant be gearbox - it happens with clutch depressed, therefore gearbox not spinning with crank.