Mazda Tribute blown engine - Engine Troubleshooting


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Mazda Tribute blown engine

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Rjstep
New User

Oct 1, 2017, 1:44 PM

Post #1 of 5 (1671 views)

Mazda Tribute blown engine	Sign In

2001 Mazda Tribute blown engine. Here goes: had an oil change and check over on Saturday by mechanic shop. Told him I was going for a long road trip and I wanted to make sure everything looked good. Come Wednesday set off on the road and about 3 1/2 hours driving through mountain passes I suddenly detect a loss of power and the engine making a strange sound. Then the smell and light smoke coming from under the hood. When I pop the hood I notice the coolant reservoir cap is off and sitting in a corner and the coolant is boiling like a volcano. Had it towed to nearest mechanic and he confirmed that the motor was cooked for good. My question is what would cause for the coolant cap to come on done during the drive or is it possible my mechanic may have forgotten to tighten the cap? The threads are not stripped so doesn't look like it blew off under pressure. Now left with a dead vehicle and huge expense and I don't even understand why. Can anyone suggest what could have happened??!

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 1, 2017, 1:58 PM

Post #2 of 5 (1659 views)

Re: Mazda Tribute blown engine	Sign In

Took out the duplicate post in a row.
Ick! OK - is the "pressure cap" on the radiator or the recovery bottle which was boiling like that? Heat alone doesn't really cause either to blow off just a plain recovery cap might.

Understand - not there and not here to blame anyone but it was just checked out for what you can check and really know but points to an error IMO only in leaving the cap wrong and causing the overheat for lack of pressure.

A second shop declared it blown in a day just like that. It's still possible for bad luck but I'd have them write it up as to what they saw as the cause not a web site they checked it in person.

Then see if you can resolve this with the shop that did the check out. It's not for me to say from here but could be insured to resolve the expense anyway if a mistake.
Just one thing more: I can't imagine anyone doing that on purpose and even great shops can make a mistake but doesn't mean can't be held responsible for it,

T

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 1, 2017, 2:48 PM

Post #3 of 5 (1654 views)

Re: Mazda Tribute blown engine	Sign In

Yep, sounds like somebody forgot to put the cap back on.

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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.

Rjstep
New User

Oct 1, 2017, 4:40 PM

Post #4 of 5 (1640 views)

Re: Mazda Tribute blown engine	Sign In

It was on the recover bottle. I don't like to point fingers and I would have no issue paying for this if it was through my own negligence. I do have a problem paying for someone else's' mistake. I understand that mistakes happen but I also believe firmly that they need to be corrected and held accountable. I suspect it will be difficult to have the shop to acknowledge that it was through their error. Any approach suggestions?

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 1, 2017, 5:35 PM

Post #5 of 5 (1636 views)

Re: Mazda Tribute blown engine	Sign In

Talk to the owner and tell the story just like you did here. You had the car checked out by them, 300 miles into your trip the engine blew up and the local shop found the coolant cap sitting on the fender well. If the shop has any integrity, they will accept the blame. They have insurance for those situations anyway.

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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.

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