If anyone could help me out with this question I would really appreciate it. I bought my car second hand so I don't have its manual. I asked this question to several people but got conflicting answers. Can anyone give me a definite answer please? Thanks.
Mike

 

I've got a 2nd gen but I believe all of the 6s have used a timing chain.

 

You have a Timing Chain Mike.

 

Chain.

 

I've got a 2003 Mazda6 (don't know if its got a 2.4 or a 2.5??) and was told I need a new timing chain and quoted me $1100 to fix. When I'm driving the RPM's momentarily drop down to nothing and jump back up again and the car sputters a little. First, does this sound like a timing chain problem? second, can someone tell me what the timing chain is supposed to do?

 

Uh, I'm pretty sure that if your timing chain is broken then the engine won't work period. Someone please correct me if i'm wrong here.

 

OK Cameron. You asked for it. You're WRONGGGG!!!
She didn't say it was broken, just that it needs to be replaced, which in and of itself I find rather hard to believe.
jenelle, your problem may, or may not be timing chain related, such as the timing sensor that controls the variable valve timing, but I highly doubt you need a new chain set. In modern cars, they can usually last the life of the engine itself.
Also, in the 1st generation 6 series (2003-2008,) you either have a 2.3L (2300cc) 4-cyl engine, or a 3.0L (3000cc) V6 cylinder engine. From your description, it sounds like you have a 6i, meaning its a 2.3L 4 cyl.

 

Thank you virgin1!!! I had my CAM sensor replaced recently because that's what the check engine light was reading. I brought my car to a Mazda dealership this weekend and they tried to completely screw me!! They told me I needed to change my oil and that it didn't seem like I had an oil leak. Then they told me I owe them $100 in labor and when I asked about my timing chain thay said it would cost me 2 more hours of labor (so $300) to even look at the damn chain to see if something is wrong with it.

I know I'm a stereotypical car moron - but I'm not a complete idiot - I know when a dealership is trying to screw me!

I'm going to have to make the 5hour drive back home to have my dad fix it

 

so i have an 04 mazda6 5sp 2.3l and its making this weird ticking noise it mostly does it when its warmed up but it never stops and i took it in to get it checked out and they told me it was my timing chain so 1100$ later after getting that replaced it's still doing it and now they are saying that its my bottom end... and my boyfriend is trying to get me to sell it but i really love this car and really dont want to so if anyone else has any ideas on what the ticking noise could be please resond ...thank you liz

 

It could be the idler pulley gone bad... the bearing I mean. But as I understand it, it has to be replaced as a whole new unit/assembly.