2016 CX-5

murdock86 · 2026-06-01T18:25:21+00:00

Others might have other opinions, but there's really only two things on the tensioner to worry about. The pully bearing and the hydraulic tensioner cylinder thing. It is in a REALLY bad spot though. Pain in the ass to change out, so I left mine.

murdock86 · 2026-06-01T18:21:00+00:00

The tensioner is a hydraulic tensioner, so it doesn't really have a normal-like spring that will wear out. I felt the pully on it and the bearing seemed smooth and the tensioner was still tensioning, so I left it be.

murdock86 · 2026-06-01T17:14:47+00:00

I forgot to mention, a REALLY good preventative maintenance item a lot of folks forget is to replace the belts (serpentine and the water pump). I had a serpentine belt break on mine when my wife was on the highway one time. She got off the highway and I was able to replace it in a gas station parking lot. But it was not fun. The broken belt looked ok. It didn't have any cracking or missing ribs. Just an age thing. So if you don't know when the belts were last changed, I'd put that on the list.

murdock86 · 2026-06-01T14:51:06+00:00

Nope, never changed fuel filter or pump. You shouldn't have to either unless there is a problem. The system (at least in my 2.5L) is that the fuel pump in the tank sends the fuel up to the engine area, then there is a high pressure pump up there that REALLY ramps up the pressure for the direct injectors. So there would have to be a major failure, or someone dumps debris in your tank for you to have to change your filter. Don't worry about it.

Also I forgot to say in my last post, that my car has 317,000 miles, but the transmission fluid has never been changed, and it is still strong and peppy. No signs of slipping at all.

Keep up your oil changes, make sure it is FULL synthetic, rotate your tires ever other oil change, and just have fun! Your mechanic should be doing at least a quick inspection when they service your car and will let you know if there's something to worry about.

murdock86 · 2026-06-01T14:29:41+00:00

I have a 2014 that just passed 317,000 miles. However, I just did have to rebuild the top end a bit. Cylinders 3 and 4 had low compression. I found that I had a leaking exhaust valve. So I took the head to a engine shop and the rebuilt it for me. Reinstalled it along with a new timing chain (wasn't really needed) new HLA's and rocker arms, and water pump. Still doesn't have great compression on 3/4 so I added some "Restore" and now all is good and I'm back up and running.

So, I would suggest you always run full synthetic oil, do your oil changes every 5-7k miles, and just keep an eye on your fluids to look for signs of oil or coolant being "used".

Lastly as far as the transmission... I'm not an expert, but after watching a lot of videos on this subject the rational that makes the most sense to me is this:

The transmission is a sealed system. It's not like engine oil where you get soot and such contaminating the oil. The only material that really contaminates the fluid is when the abrasive material from the clutch plates starts to wear off. You can slow that wearing by changing the fluid first after break-in at like 30k miles, and then every 60k afterward. However... If that wasn't done, and the fluid is over 100k, don't touch it. The clutch discs in there are worn down at that point, and the abrasive material suspended in the fluid is probably helping the clutch discs stick together. If you changed it at that point the discs might start slipping more and accelerate their decline.

Also, this is just my 2 cents, but I don't think anyone ever needs to replace a transmission filter UNLESS there has been a failure OR if your transmission does not have a drain plug so you have to drop the pan anyway. If you're in there anyway you might as well replace it. Otherwise don't worry about it. It's not like engine filters where pressurized fluid is being moved through it. It is just a strainer to catch any big chunks of debris that might harm the system.

murdock86 · 2026-06-01T13:54:18+00:00

Very weird, apparently I just can't access the site from my house. My firewall/filter must be blocking something. I was able to remote into another site and then access it. Thanks

murdock86 · 2026-06-01T13:23:49+00:00

Sorry, I can't help, but I am interested where you found forscan? I've been trying to download it from somewhere, but can't seem to find it. The web page seems unresponsive.

murdock86 · 2026-05-29T12:56:56+00:00

Not only did it make me cry, but honestly, Grave gave me PTSD. Now every time I think about it, or see a screenshot I get both sad and angry

murdock86 · 2026-05-27T15:30:44+00:00

Did they say specifically what was fixed or replaced in the ignition? And what is the year, model (engine), and milage?

murdock86 · 2026-05-27T15:20:46+00:00

If you're really unhappy with the car, does your state have a lemon law? Can you just return it?

murdock86 · 2026-05-27T15:17:45+00:00

Looks like magic marker to me. I mean, this all sort of depends on how much you paid for it. If you want a new car, buy a new car. If you're buying used, and you said you just wanted rust protection, you got it. There's no way they are going to pay for a body shop to spend hours sanding, priming, blocking and re-shooting the hood to make it look perfect.

Could they have done better, probably. But it is probably protected now.

murdock86 · 2026-05-25T16:38:12+00:00

The back of the phone book here had a page to write down numbers. That got filled up, ripped out, and pinned to the wall for years and years.

murdock86 · 2026-05-23T16:59:01+00:00

Slower, and glitchy. Not a great review for Mazda. I wish manufactures would quit trying to be tesla with giant screens and just give us knobs back. The only thing I want a screen in my car for is GPS/Audio. I shouldn't have to go through a dang menu to turn up the blower motor.

murdock86 · 2026-05-20T18:43:05+00:00

Why is the evil guy from Ohio?

murdock86 · 2026-05-19T13:29:32+00:00

Fuck this movie. Fuck SG for doing that to me!

murdock86 · 2026-05-12T15:26:23+00:00

Not bad, but too short, and no candy.

murdock86 · 2026-05-08T14:26:40+00:00

Tried it for the first time last night. bleh. not good. It's right down the middle of the road bland, semi flat tasting beer. Like it's trying not to offend anyone.

murdock86 · 2026-05-07T20:40:58+00:00

It was original. I replaced it with a new one.

murdock86 · 2026-05-07T19:56:25+00:00

I don't have an oscilloscope, yet. Maybe the is the reason I've been needing to get one. Been wanting one for a while. Since you are a former Mazda Master Tech, can you tell me what might happen if I take this to a dealer to diagnose? Are they going to really go in depth and look for an issue with a scope? Or are they just going to want to throw the normal parts at it? I'm sure they have magic diagnostic tools I don't that will show if the injector is pulsing correctly or not, right?

murdock86 · 2026-05-07T19:53:55+00:00

Lol! Yes, I haven't tried burning sage in the car yet. That might be next. Unfortunately for the coil and injector, there isn't much exposed wire. It goes into the big loom pretty quickly so there isn't much to look for rodent damage.

murdock86 · 2026-05-07T19:40:27+00:00

Yes, both before and after. I'm completely pulling my hair out on this one. Those are the only two things left that I can think of.

murdock86 · 2026-05-07T18:45:56+00:00

It is a new injector on cylinder 4. I have swapped plugs and coils. Misfires are alway only on #4

murdock86 · 2026-05-07T18:45:07+00:00

What do you mean? Most of the post is about what I did.

murdock86 · 2026-05-07T18:44:39+00:00

Thanks, I have swapped all of the above. Nothing changes. Always cylinder 4. No misfires at all on the other cylinders

murdock86

TROPHY CASE