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No particulate place to go
I've read with some dismay of the shocking stories of Mazda 2.0 diesels spewing fuel into the engine lubricant with understandable and catastrophic results. Does this level of stupidity and oversight by a seemingly reputable manufacturer fall under the necessary recall and repair laws or statutes that most vehicle manufacturers are pressured to do?
Asked on 22 May 2010 by G.B., via e-mail
Answered by
Honest John
No. In the UK, recalls are vehicle safety only. Manufacturers are not
compelled to recall cars for emission system design faults. In the case of the Mazda6 2.0 litre diesel (and Mazda5 2.0 litre diesel) the problem is that the extra fuel to burn off the particulates is pumped into the combustion chambers in cycles to create extra heat to burn of particulates trapped in the filter. If the use of the car has caused the DPF to become particularly badly blocked, then this doesn’t happen and the extra fuel goes into the engine sump. That is why Mazda6 diesel owners are warned to regularly check sump oil levels and if it rises get the car to a dealer. (This isn’t a problem with the newer 2.2 Mazda diesel.) The same problem occurs with Subaru Legacy diesels, FIAT 500 1.3 diesels, Vauxhall Combo 1.3 diesels and some VAG diesels.
compelled to recall cars for emission system design faults. In the case of the Mazda6 2.0 litre diesel (and Mazda5 2.0 litre diesel) the problem is that the extra fuel to burn off the particulates is pumped into the combustion chambers in cycles to create extra heat to burn of particulates trapped in the filter. If the use of the car has caused the DPF to become particularly badly blocked, then this doesn’t happen and the extra fuel goes into the engine sump. That is why Mazda6 diesel owners are warned to regularly check sump oil levels and if it rises get the car to a dealer. (This isn’t a problem with the newer 2.2 Mazda diesel.) The same problem occurs with Subaru Legacy diesels, FIAT 500 1.3 diesels, Vauxhall Combo 1.3 diesels and some VAG diesels.
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