Mazda 3.0L Engine Ticking Noise from Left Bank Cylinder Head - Engine Builder Magazine

Mazda 3.0L Engine Ticking Noise from Left Bank Cylinder Head

Installers may use the table below to select the correct repair
for the applicable engine/model.

Year/Model                        Proceed
To:

2002-’06 MPV 3.0L            Repair
Procedure A

2003-’08 Mazda6 3.0L       Repair
Procedure B

2001-’06 Tribute 3.0L         Repair
Procedure A

(built before Jan. 17, 2006)

2006 Tribute 3.0L               Repair
Procedure B

(built after Jan. 17, 2006)  

2008 Tribute 3.0L               Repair
Procedure B

(engine build date

before May 16, 2007)*

2008 Tribute 3.0L              Service
bulletin procedure does
not apply, refer to

(engine build date              workshop
manual, section 01-01

after May 16, 2007)*           

*Engine build date can be located on the left-hand cam cover
engine label.

 

Repair Procedure A

Caution: Before attempting a repair on a 2001-’06 Tribute,
confirm if the water pump pulley is driven by the intake or the exhaust
camshaft. Be sure to use the correct repair procedure. The water pump on
2001-’06 Tribute vehicles built before Jan. 17, 2006 are driven by the “intake”
camshaft pulley.

1. Verify that the water pump is driven by the intake
camshaft pulley. See Fig. A1.

2. Turn on the engine.

3. Verify the customer concern by using a stethoscope and
conventional diagnostics to isolate the sound. If the noise is coming from the
left-hand valve cover area near cylinder #6, proceed to Step 4.

4. Turn off the engine.

5. Remove the left-hand valve cover.

6. Rotate the engine clockwise until cylinder #6 ­intake cam
lobes are pointing up (valves are fully closed). See Fig. A/B2.

7. Remove all intake camshaft caps (do not remove the
exhaust camshaft caps).

Note: The camshaft caps must be completely lifted off, and
then set back into position. Loosening and retorquing the cap bolts is not
sufficient.

8. Reinstall all camshaft caps and torque bolts (except cam
cap 8L) in the sequence shown in Fig. A3 to 8 Nm (72 lb.-in.).

9. Using a screwdriver positioned on each side of the top of
cam cap 8L, apply hand pressure and shift the cam cap toward the exhaust side
of the cylinder head. See Fig. A4.

10. While holding cam cap 8L in the shifted position, torque
fastener #9 (inboard) first, to 8 Nm (72 lb.-in.), then torque fastener #10.

11. Reinstall the left-hand valve cover.

12. Verify the repair.

 

Repair Procedure B

Caution: Before attempting a repair on a 2006 Tribute,
confirm if the water pump pulley is driven by the intake or exhaust camshaft. Be
sure to use the correct repair procedure. The water pump on 2006 Tribute
vehicles built after Jan. 17, 2006, are driven by the “exhaust” camshaft
pulley.

1. Verify that the water pump is driven by the exhaust
camshaft pulley. See Fig. B1

2. Turn on the engine.

3. Verify the concern by using a stethoscope and
­conventional diagnostics to isolate the sound. If the noise is coming from the
left-hand valve cover area near cylinder #6, proceed to Step 4.

4. Turn off the engine.

5. Remove the left-hand valve cover.

6. Rotate the engine clockwise until cylinder #6 exhaust cam
lobes are pointing up (valves are fully closed). See Fig. A/B2.

7. Remove all exhaust camshaft caps (do not remove the
intake camshaft caps).

Note: The camshaft caps must be completely lifted off, then
set back into position. Loosening and retorquing cap bolts is not sufficient.

8. Reinstall all camshaft caps and torque bolts (except cam
cap 4L) in the sequence shown in Fig. B3 to 8 Nm (72 lb.-in.).

9. Using a screwdriver positioned on each side of the top of
cam cap 4L, apply hand pressure and shift the cam cap toward the exhaust side
of the cylinder head. See Fig. B4.

10. While holding cam cap 4L in the shifted position, torque
fastener #9 (inboard) first, to 8 Nm (72 lb.-in.), then torque fastener #10.

11. Reinstall the left-hand valve cover.

12. Verify the repair.

Courtesy of ALLDATA. fig. a1fig. a/b2fig. a3fig. a4fig. b1fig. b3Fig. B4

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