Hello everyone!

I need advise on a problem that even Mazda dealership is having problems fixing.

OK my car has been running rough lately. 2007 Mazda 5. While I am in gear (waiting at a light for example) and the defrost is on, the engine losses power, sputters, and almost stalls. With defrost off, it's better but still sputters once in a while. Also it hesitates on acceleration.

The technician took it for a road test and determined that the throttle body needed cleaning.They checked it and cleaned the throttle body and said it was better. They did ask if they can plug it in to the diagnostic tester after they did the throttle body clean-out because it still had a small about of sputtering. I said sure. This time they determined that the PVC value hose has a small leak that may contribute to the issue. OK, I said. The service person said that the throttle cleaning almost completely fixed the problem. The engine sputtering issue is so minimal that I shouldn't worry about the it until next servicing.

Fine, I payed and drove my car to the school 5 minutes away. At that point I decided to do a check and the engine still has the same problems! Found out they did not do the check with the defrost on. Lack of communication with the service rep and the technician. Out $250 for a job that didn't need to be done. Now it is back for a second look. Their fault.

This time I took the technician for a test drive and showed him the problem! He was surprised at how bad it was with the defrost on. So into the shop it went again. Because it was getting late they couldn't fix the problem but they would figure out the cause and then I could come back for the proper repairs. An hour later and as the dealership was closing I get called saying my car is ready. I come grab the paperwork. (No charge this time to look at it) It said that the A/C clutch was seizing which is causing the engine to work harder and cause it to shudder more. $900+ for a new compressor!!! WTF? I asked if someone can explain this to me and no one wanted to help. They were going home. The technician came in and told me the issue. I said can't I disconnect the A/C? He said yes. So we quickly went out to the car and pulled the fuse for it. The shuddering seamed to stop (Because there was no A/C load on it.) Funny thing is that the tech said that the throttle cleaning wasn't necessary. Oh, really I said. He realized what he said and tried to backtrack by saying that it did still need a cleaning with the carbon build up. But it wasn't necessary for this problem. I thanked him and let him go home and I headed out. Guess what....Still has the same problem...sign....

So now I have a decision to make. Should I get them to change the PVC value ($400+job) and hope that was the issue? Or go to another mechanic for a second opinion? Also, am I entitled to the first job (throddle body cleaning $273) reimbursement? Considering it wasn't the problem in the first place?

Sorry for the rant but I have never had this type of issues with a dealership that should know their own vehicles!

Mike Surrey,BC,Canada