Hello?

I've just made an offer on a 2004 Mazda6 S with a 5-speed tranny and 88,000 miles. The car has a 100% worn clutch and the car cannot be driven - but I understand the risk I am taking. In addition to the clutch, there are three CEL's that I read from the vehicle today:

P0057 - Seems most people believe this is a bad 02 sensor before the CAT? What else could this be?

P1410 - Minor? VAD solenoid in the drivers side front of the vehicle?? Can this be something major, something more than a bad connection or missing connection?

P0138 - Another 02 sensor code?? Seems another 02 code?

What else can cause these 02 codes? A bad cat? How likely do I actually have two bad 02 sensors? Chance they are all related?

Lastly, I need to buy a new clutch first.I am looking for the inexpensive route, while still maintaining OEM quality. I found this EXEDY MZK1001 OEM Replacement Clutch Kit:

http://www.amazon.com/EXEDY-MZK1001-.../dp/B001B5EPZE

I was hoping that someone could confirm that this is in fact an OEM replacement, that the quality is good, and that everything required is included in this kit. If this is a bad idea, please let me know.

Personal experiences, comments, and any and all recommendations are truly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Clogged cats are a distinct posibility, though the precats in the headers seem to clog more often than the main cat. If this is indeed the case, then they need to be replaced ASAP, or you are looking at a very expensive repair, on the order of a new engine.

 

So, why the 02 codes?

How do I go about checking the precats

Thanks!

 

I'm hoping someone a little more in tune with our engines can chime in here, but as I have heard it, the O2 codes are usually linked to a reduction in flow through the cat. As for checking them, about the only way for you to do that would be to pull the headers off and check them out that way. And only way to fix them is to replace the headers. I'm going to be doing the same thing here pretty soon as preventative maintenance, and replacing mine with a set of tubular headers that do not include the precats.

 

Thanks for the comments.

I've been doing as much searching as I can and I'm really good at the internet, but haven't found a whole lot relating these codes to cat failure. Most guys with cat failures/clogs do not seem to end up with these codes. However, I've seen very few guys with these codes at all, and very few solutions to them.

So far as aftermarket cats, it seems there are a lot of issues with some check engine light's caused by them, some which guys can never eliminate. Seems there is a lot of experimentation with 02 sensor simulators and such, but guys are still stuck with CEL's.

Which headers were you going to go with? Do you know if they will give the PCM the readings required to avoid CEL's? Any performance gains expected?

If I have to replace the headers for $1,000, so be it. But I won't do so if there's going to be a lingering CEL that cannot be eliminated.

Before I go searching for some removal/installation procedures, what kind of labor and difficulty are we looking at for replacing the headers on this vehicle? I haven't even been under the hood yet, but I assume you've looked into it pretty thoroughly.

Lastly, once I get my hands on this vehicle, my trusty mechanic will assist me in investigating these codes. If we can't quite figure it out, the $96 diagnostic fee at the Mazda dealer is a pretty awesome deal as they agree to diagnose the cause of all the CEL's for that flat fee.

Thanks,
Brian

 

I'm planning on going with the MSDS short tube headers. Supposedly gains are in the area of 15-20hp & tq, but that varies from car to car based on other mods, elevation, temp, etc. It's really the last breather mod available that I can get for the car, besides an optimized throttle body. As for CEL's, yes they will throw one, and you have to get O2 sims to clear them, which I'll be doing. I was really hoping that one of the members on here that's a bit more familiar with codes and the behavior of our engines would chime in, but I guess not.

On installation...looks like it's gonna be a PITA. Here is a DIY writeup if you're curious. I'm gonna talk to my mechanic about it and see what he thinks pricing is gonna be cause I'm not sure this is something I can do myself without a lift.