Help Me With My Mazda Demio De3Fs 2007

[SamG]

Hi All,

Though I'm a member of this forum for sometime, this is the first time I'm writing a post. I need your kind help with this.

First of all, thanks all for the valuable content you create in this forum. I settled for a Mazda Demio 7 months ago thanks to the posts I found here. I'm quite happy with the car so far.

This car is maintained by the agents and used only brand new Mazda genuine parts so far. I decided to continue the same and done all the services with the agents. Then came this problem. I need your kind advise before I commit to fix this with agents.

For few weeks, it takes time to start the car when the car is cooled down. I got this checked by the agents. They said the issue is caused by the faulty fuel pump and I have to replace it which costs Rs. 52,000/= + tax + labor to fix. Since I'm not an expert of the internal bits of the car, I need to know,

1. If it is a possibility that faulty fuel pump can cause this kind of a problem?

2. Is it a good idea to use a used original fuel pump? (forgetting the maintenance tradition. I'm not as rich as the previous owner )

Thanks in advance.

[Rumesh88]

When you say it takes time to start the car on cold start is it like it doesn't start the first time you turn the key? But on second attempt it starts does it? and when it does what's the engine RPM like? Next time you do a cold start, turn the key ON and wait for 10 seconds before starting and see if the situation improves. These are some of the observations that could provide a clue to your No. 1 above.

[SamG]

Thanks Rumesh88 for the reply.

I just got home, so the car is hot. Since I cannot do what you instructed now, I'll share what I remember and try your instructions tomorrow.

On a cold start,

1. It starts on the first turn, but it takes a long time

2. If I don't keep the first turn long enough to start the engine, second turn start is normal

3. Keeping the key on for 10 seconds does not change anything. 1 & 2 mentioned above is still valid after keeping the key on for 10 secs.

No change is noted about the start RPM of the car. It usually sits just above 1000 till the engine gets heated and drops to 650-700 afterwards.

I'll observe some of the above tomorrow as well.

[Davy]

Getting the feeling like the agent was right about the fuel pump. Having to crank longer the first time is probably a result of the pump not working as intended.

Not sure about the Demio, but some vehicles come with serviceable fuel pumps where the filter can be replaced without having to replace the whole pump as a unit. But if the pump is not giving enough pressure due to the pump itself being faulty (they do lose pressure over time), then servicing will not work.

M@zna M0t0rs should be having genuine parts (or will import for you) for a much lower price.

[Crosswind]

You don't need to spend 52,000 for a fuel pump

You can get one from ebay, such as this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-OEM-Replacement-Fuel-Pump-Install-Kit-for-Mazda-Vehicles-/291208552808?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AMazda|Model%3A2&hash=item43cd61e168&vxp=mtr

You can find one in Panchikawatta/Japan Lanka

or you can even try Ford Fiesta fuel pumps.

Usually fuel pumps are common between many models (Mazda Demio, 3, 2, 6, Axela, Ford Fiesta, Focus etc.) so you don't need the exact replacement from the agent. In fact, I remember I got a Toyota fuel pump mated with a Nissan March sometime back so don't worry.

[jaga]

Try at Asiri motors at Panchi. May be cheaper.

[Rumesh88]

Thanks Rumesh88 for the reply.

I just got home, so the car is hot. Since I cannot do what you instructed now, I'll share what I remember and try your instructions tomorrow.

On a cold start,

1. It starts on the first turn, but it takes a long time

2. If I don't keep the first turn long enough to start the engine, second turn start is normal

3. Keeping the key on for 10 seconds does not change anything. 1 & 2 mentioned above is still valid after keeping the key on for 10 secs.

No change is noted about the start RPM of the car. It usually sits just above 1000 till the engine gets heated and drops to 650-700 afterwards.

I'll observe some of the above tomorrow as well.

It looks like the cause is a fault in the pump check valve that prevents fuel from returning to the tank and accumulating air inside the fuel rail after you shutdown the engine. You can try the alternatives suggested by others above.

[The Annoying Guy]

Just like Crosswind said, there are many compatible pumps which are cheaper and can do a good job. My old Demio (2001) had a constant engine stalling issue and found out that the fuel pump is failing. So the mechanic said to replace it with a used (reconditioned) Nissan pump (the specs were the same) and its been working fine ever since and it was only 2500/-.

[SamG]

Thanks Davy, Crosswind, jaga, Rumesh88 and The Annoying Guy for your replies.

Sorry for the delay in replying. I was not well.

I prefer to go to the agent (C0l0nial Motors) for the repair. But I'm fine with used/reconditioned parts.

I'll try to call the shops you guys mentioned. Hope I can find the contact numbers through a Google search. I'll try ebay too as Crosswind mentioned.

@Crosswind: Is it something you know as a fact or a guess from the experience that Mazda Demio, 3, 2, 6, Axela, Ford Fiesta, Focus etc shares the same fuel pump? Highly appreciate if you can shed some light on this matter if you already know this. I'll carry out my own research in the mean time.

Thanks again to all of you for the help so far. I'll keep you guys posted about the progress.

Edited November 19, 2014 by Sameera Gunasinghe

[The Don]

Thanks Davy, Crosswind, jaga, Rumesh88 and The Annoying Guy for your replies.

Sorry for the delay in replying. I was not well.

I prefer to go to the agent (C0l0nial Motors) for the repair. But I'm fine with used/reconditioned parts.

I'll try to call the shops you guys mentioned. Hope I can find the contact numbers through a Google search. I'll try ebay too as Crosswind mentioned.

@Crosswind: Is it something you know as a fact or a guess from the experience that Mazda Demio, 3, 2, 6, Axela, Ford Fiesta, Focus etc shares the same fuel pump? Highly appreciate if you can shed some light on this matter if you already know this. I'll carry out my own research in the mean time.

Thanks again to all of you for the help so far. I'll keep you guys about the progress.

Mazda is majority owned by Ford and there is a lot of platform sharing between the vehicles. So its highly likely it is the same pump. The only way to be sure is to actually look at the exact pump. Sometimes it could have different part numbers (the Mazda part number) but also has an OEM part number and this is the same. Fuel pumps are rarely model specific. If anything they are sometimes mated to certain engines but more often accross entire model ranges.

[SamG]

Thanks The Don for your comment !

I have found this while browsing the web. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/OEM-number-ZJ38-13-350-lowest-price-high-performance-12V-electric-fuel-pump-for-MAZDA-DEMIO/1292199485.html

I have tried to find the correct OEM number for the part. But it doesn't seem to be available or I just can't find it on the web. Can anyone of you help me verify if this is the correct OEM number for the fuel pump I'm looking for?

[Crosswind]

You don't need to go to the agent for a job like this. It's a DIY for someone with competency of basic tools. However, if you are not technically inclined, you can get an average mechanic to do it for you.

If you can get the old fuel pump removed, you can take it to Panchikawatta and get a suitable pump.

If you want to be 100% sure about the part number, you need to find a part number catalogue, which is not easy for JDM cars. What you can do is, try asking the agent's service advisor by being very nice to him. Or you can go to Asiri/Rainbow (those guys have the parts catalogues in their heads) and pretend that you are buying one. Examine it closely and you will find the part number printed on the box or on a sticker on the part itself. Memorize it and order it off the bay. If its not too expensive, you can buy it from the shop itself.

[SamG]

Thanks @Crosswind. Sorry for disappearing for long without updating you guys. It's been a hectic period for me on and off the work.

This is what happened so far. It's been a long story. I'll try to keep it as short as possible.

Since I was extremely busy during that period, I just ignored the issue and drove the car. One day, car did not start at all. I left the car at office and got the B@ttMobile check the battery next day. Sure enough, battery was in a very bad shape (it was a 4 years old battery). I got it replaced, but the original issue of delayed start persisted. It sort of confirmed that car had a faulty fuel pump. So I finally decided to get it fixed.

I got the fuel pump removed with the agents and went to the Asiri Motors @ Panchi. When I showed the sample to them, this is the response I got from them.

• They wanted me to disassemble the housing of the fuel pump and get the pump as the sample.
• They had the original fuel pump housing without the pump which they claimed to be expensive (around Rs. 30,000/= as I remember)
• They did not have the whole unit (housing + pump) with them.
• They could not recommend me any mechanic who is capable of disassembling the fuel pump housing.

I was surprised to know that they being a Mazda specialist they did not know the fuel pump of a Mazda Demio.

Disappointing with Asiri Motors, I decided to go to M@zna Motors. Lalith (the owner) was there and I was rather impressed with his knowledge about the Mazda vehicles . This is what they offered me.

• A brand new Malaysian fuel pump for Rs. 17,750/=. They were willing to fix it inside the old housing. But the wiring port was not a perfect fit. They said they can fix it with a minor modification to the port which I did not like.
• A brand new Malaysian whole unit (pump + housing) for Rs. 52,000/=
• Used original whole unit for Rs. 30,000/=.

I went for the last option. At the time of purchase, Lalith told me to bring the vehicle if agent does not manage to get it to work. I happily went to the agents with the part. For some reason, agents did not manage to get it to work. I got the old fuel pump fixed and drove to M@zna Motors to claim that the the fuel pump they sold is not working.

M@zna guys wanted to check it themselves to be sure if it is the case. They replaced the fuel pump and it did not work. Then they inspected the part and found that it was due to a loose connection. They fixed the connection issue, fixed the fuel pump back and bingo, car came to life like a charm.

I know this is lot of text, but I hope this will help someone. Fuel pump issue is sorted but this is just the half of the story. I'll write the rest as soon as I get a time again. Thanks a lot for all the recommendations so far.

[VVTi]

Can't wait to hear the rest of that riveting story... take your time.... please...

[The Don]

I have found the genuine brand new fuel pump for a Mazda 2 (The Demio is sold as the Mazda 2 and the Axela as Mazda 3 in the UK) (Mazda part number ZJ381335XA) which is the pump and sender unit for £71.99 on ebay UK.

I have no idea how a Malaysian varian is Rs. 52,000........

Edited January 6, 2015 by The Don

[SamG]

I almost forgot this thread. Just remember because I wanted help again

Here's the second part of the story (in short).

After replacing the fuel pump, I had to replace the front shocks of the car as well. C0l0nial Motors quoted me Rs. 27,000/= per shock. KYB from @siri Motors were like Rs. 12,000/= each. I thought it was a worthy compromise given the price difference. So, I went for the KYBs. The sad part was that it made the car so bumpier compared to how it was previously. I'm so frustrated with my decision and seriously considering to get a pair of original shocks installed when my pocket is deep enough. I want you guys to help me find it at a lower price than what company quoted if possible.

[SamG]

Actually, what I mentioned in the previous reply is not the one I want your help with at the moment. My car got a CVT gear box. Mileage is nearing 75K now and it's about the time to change the CVT fluid.

What fuzz me now is the fact that previous owner told me, the CVT gear box of this model is done by Toyota. Therefore, he told me to use the Toyota CVT fluid. He actually has done the CVT fluid change using the Toyota fluid at 25k and 50k mileage. Highly appreciate if anyone of you can shed some light on this if you already know this.

Edited April 22, 2015 by Sameera Gunasinghe

[SamG]

Guys, bumping up to get your attention.

Previous owner of the car had taken a good care of the car. He is a car lover and it's visible in everything he had done in the car. So I wanted to do just what he mentioned. I contacted M@zn@ Motors to get the cost of the work. They claims that I have to use the Mazda fluid and this Toyota CVT box thing cannot be true. That's where I got puzzled and wanted to get this cleared with the experts.

Highly appreciate if anyone with the knowledge can help me with this.

[The Don]

I almost forgot this thread. Just remember because I wanted help again

Here's the second part of the story (in short).

After replacing the fuel pump, I had to replace the front shocks of the car as well. C0l0nial Motors quoted me Rs. 27,000/= per shock. KYB from @siri Motors were like Rs. 12,000/= each. I thought it was a worthy compromise given the price difference. So, I went for the KYBs. The sad part was that it made the car so bumpier compared to how it was previously. I'm so frustrated with my decision and seriously considering to get a pair of original shocks installed when my pocket is deep enough. I want you guys to help me find it at a lower price than what company quoted if possible.

When the shocks are close to expiry they become softer and the car bouncier as the shocks offer very little resistance. This could be the reason that the car feels bumpy after shock replacement. You can expereince this if the shocks were not primed properly before installation as well. This issue will disappear after running for a while.

Mazda does not make shock absorbers, so it is probably made by KYB, Tokico or Showa. Did you make a note of who made the original shocks. There are slight differences in how they will feel, and even within the OEM there are different variants which are still compatible. For example the brand new imported Mazda 2 will have a compatible but different shock to the Demio.

KYB also sells Gas and Hydraulic variants. Even when you go to the agent they have a habit of trying to shove the Gas variants on everybody. They are hardier and last longer, but tend to offer a bit harder ride. You have to replace with the variant which matches the original shock. For example mine had hydraulic shocks originally so I purchased hydraulic replacements though the gas variety was available.

As for CVT flud, it depends on the grade which is compatible with your CVT transmission. You can usually find it written on the CVT oil dipstick. Its possible the Toyota CVT fluid which is widely available is compatible. As you know neither Toyota nor Mazda make CVT fluid, so the fluid they use conforms to a known standard. You can use another fluid as long as its the same grade as the original fluid. But if the price difference isn't too much, always use the original Mazda branded fluid.

Can you check your dipstick and tell us whats written on it.

Edited April 23, 2015 by The Don

[SamG]

When the shocks are close to expiry they become softer and the car bouncier as the shocks offer very little resistance. This could be the reason that the car feels bumpy after shock replacement. You can expereince this if the shocks were not primed properly before installation as well. This issue will disappear after running for a while.

Mazda does not make shock absorbers, so it is probably made by KYB, Tokico or Showa. Did you make a note of who made the original shocks. There are slight differences in how they will feel, and even within the OEM there are different variants which are still compatible. For example the brand new imported Mazda 2 will have a compatible but different shock to the Demio.

KYB also sells Gas and Hydraulic variants. Even when you go to the agent they have a habit of trying to shove the Gas variants on everybody. They are hardier and last longer, but tend to offer a bit harder ride. You have to replace with the variant which matches the original shock. For example mine had hydraulic shocks originally so I purchased hydraulic replacements though the gas variety was available.

As for CVT flud, it depends on the grade which is compatible with your CVT transmission. You can usually find it written on the CVT oil dipstick. Its possible the Toyota CVT fluid which is widely available is compatible. As you know neither Toyota nor Mazda make CVT fluid, so the fluid they use conforms to a known standard. You can use another fluid as long as its the same grade as the original fluid. But if the price difference isn't too much, always use the original Mazda branded fluid.

Can you check your dipstick and tell us whats written on it.

Thanks Don.

I think I got this shock changing all wrong. I just bought a pair of KYB Gas shocks in a hurry and got it installed. It was really bouncier at first. It got better with time as you said, but not to the level it was before. But I'm used to it now. I will do the proper research when I do the next change.

I just had a quick look under the bonnet. I couldn't find CVT oil dipstick. I'll try again after I get back home.

[Kavvz]

Actually, what I mentioned in the previous reply is not the one I want your help with at the moment. My car got a CVT gear box. Mileage is nearing 75K now and it's about the time to change the CVT fluid.

What fuzz me now is the fact that previous owner told me, the CVT gear box of this model is done by Toyota. Therefore, he told me to use the Toyota CVT fluid. He actually has done the CVT fluid change using the Toyota fluid at 25k and 50k mileage. Highly appreciate if anyone of you can shed some light on this if you already know this.

Wow those are very short CVT transmission oil replacement intervals. I've had three Nissan's with CVT transmissions so far (I'm currently driving the third) and this is the first time I'm hearing that you need to change the CVT fluid that frequently.

Are you sure you need to service the CVT fluid that frequently? What does it say in the service manual to do? Are you sure the recommendation isn't to 'inspect the CVT fluid' at those mileages?

Edited April 24, 2015 by Kavvz

[iRage]

Thanks Don.

I think I got this shock changing all wrong. I just bought a pair of KYB Gas shocks in a hurry and got it installed. It was really bouncier at first. It got better with time as you said, but not to the level it was before. But I'm used to it now. I will do the proper research when I do the next change.

I just had a quick look under the bonnet. I couldn't find CVT oil dipstick. I'll try again after I get back home.

Some cars (eg. the ACA31 RAV4 and even my wife's old Vitz) does not have a "dipstick" for the CVT box as it is a non-regular service device....so don't be surprised if you don't have one.

[The Don]

Well in that case need to get that from the manual.

But like the guys above said, you might not need a CVT fluid change so soon.

[Kavvz]

Some cars (eg. the ACA31 RAV4 and even my wife's old Vitz) does not have a "dipstick" for the CVT box as it is a non-regular service device....so don't be surprised if you don't have one.

Also it could be that the dip stick is sealed for mechanics to use only. (Meaning it doesn't have a circular tab that you pull out, and is just a circular flat cap that seals off the top of the 'dipstick' / tube leading down into the CVT transmission fluid reservoir.)

[Davy]

I don't think the service interval is that short. The history of the Demio I got has a CVT oil change done at 40,000km with a bill of 26,000 from C0l0nial. I'm pretty sure my father told me that the interval is 40,000km. He also told me that the agent only recommends the Mazda genuine CVT oil only they import. Not really sure if there are others who get it down as well.