Mazda B2200 Truck Repair Questions and Answers

Question:  1991 Mazda B2200 2.2L mileage: 180,000.  When I apply the brakes the pedal goes almost to the floor before the brakes engage, (when this fist started if I pumped the brakes it helped but that doesn’t work as well anymore), and they seem softer when they engage.  If I push harder with my foot it gets a little better, but not as good as normal.  I checked the fluid and it is fine.  My friend suggested the master cylinder, what do you think?  Great site by the way!

 Answer:   You may have problems with the brakes themselves.  Remove all four wheels and inspect the brakes paying close attention to the rear brakes and the self-adjusters.  Also, inspect the wheel cylinders for leaking break fluid.  If everything is in order, try bleeding the brakes.  If the master cylinder is faulty, it could be the cause of your problem as your friend suggested.  However, check the other thinks we suggested first.

Question:  1992 Mazda B2200 2.2L mileage: 108,000. In the mornings and in cold weather it tends to hesitate or miss between 50 and 60 MPH until it gets hot.  Wires, plugs, caps, rotor, module and coil have been replaced.   I am experienced mechanic, so I did a compression test, pulled the head off and reground the valves, and rebuilt the carburetor.   I even replaced all the electronic sensors including the one that screws into the bottom of the radiator, which is known to fail on these trucks.  I sniffed out a lot of bizarre problems in my time but this one takes the cake.  Is there something that I have overlooked or is this a quirk that I have to live with?

Answer:  Scan the computer for fault codes.  Check the EGR valve to make sure that it is not stuck.  Check the thermo vacuum switches on the intake manifold.

Answer: We are not sure what you mean by radiator "backpressure", however, the cause of your overheating may be a blown head gasket.

Question:  1993 Mazda B-2200  mileage: 80,000.   My car was tuned up in October...muffler is basically new all around.  Started my car the other day and it was very loud and black soot came out of tailpipe.  Did not drive it for a week because I was out of town.  When I got back truck would not start - it was not the battery...turns over but does not start.  My air filter gets dirty quickly.  I am not losing oil.  Mechanic towed it...put new plugs in it and said the motor was going.... it probably was the rings.  Does not sound like rings because I thought that if there was a ring problem I would be burning or losing oil.  What do you think?  Thank you

Answer:    From the symptoms you have described, you may have a cracked or broken exhaust manifold.  If the manifold is cracked or broken, the warm-air pickup on the exhaust manifold, puts the exhaust into the air cleaner and dirties up the air-filter very quickly causing your no start problem.

Answer:    Your occasional no start problem may be a faulty ignition switch.  When the car is acting up (no start) check for 12 volts to the coil.  If there is no voltage, then the probable cause is the ignition switch.  If there is 12 volts, it may be a bad ignition module.
 

Question:  1988 Mazda B2200 Cab Plus 2.2l mileage: 135,000.  The vehicle smokes just for about 10-15 seconds after starting then goes away. This happens only when cold.  I gave the vehicle a compression test and cylinders 1, 2, and 3 have 160 Psi and 4 has 165 Psi.   The plugs are clean and are burning even, no oil on them.  Warm starts are fine.  One thing that is strange is that the smoke starts a "few seconds" after startup and not right away.   Should I worry?

Answer:   We have found similar problems with other cars with approximately 60,000 or more miles.  Replacing the valve stem seals reduces the oil use.  They are made out of rubber and over time become hard and brittle and no longer seal.
 

Question:  1989 Mazda B2200 2.2L mileage: 82,000.  I recently bought this truck and the guy said it smokes in the morning when you first fire it up and then it goes away.  I bought it for $500.  He was not kidding the next morning you would not believe how bad it smokes when cold.  There is no oil in the coolant and no coolant in the oil.  I put new valve oil seals in it and it made no difference whatsoever.  The engine is clean on the inside so it looks to me to be original miles.  The front main seal was also leaking badly.  Could the head gasket be blown in an oil galley between the block and head seeping into a cylinder?  Please help.

Answer:    From what you describe, you may have a broken piston and or broken rings.  Very unlikely that the head gasket is the cause.

Question:  1988 Mazda B2200 truck 2.2 liter mileage: 167,000.  I have notice that I am getting engine noise thru my radio especially AM stations, and thru my cigarette lighter when I plug in my cell phone or portable TV.   Please help?

Answer:    Check the ignition system with a close look at the distributor cap and rotor.  If plug wires are old, replace them.  If spark plugs are not the resistor type, try replacing them.

Question:  1992 Mazda B2200 mileage: 142,000. It has been missing (I think, the engine hesitates, and actually makes the truck shake) in forth and  fifth gears, especially in the morning and going up hill. If I let off of the gas, or down shift, it helps but still struggles to get up hills. It is only  really noticeable on the freeway. I just replaced oil & filter, air filter, plugs, wires, dist. cap & rotor button. I am still having this problem. It doesn't seem to happen in gears one through three (or is not that noticeable). Any ideas?

Answer:  Two tests should be performed. A compression test and a cylinder leak-down test. Depending upon the results of each test, you will probably find a blown head gasket, a burnt exhaust valve, or broken piston rings. If you find any of the above, and due to the 142 thousand miles on the motor, you may want to consider overhauling the motor.



Automobile / Mazda / B2200

Replace Air Filter

Check Engine Light