Really, a $4K leak! What could be wrong with this '16 Mazda CX9 that could possibly cost that much? 

he needs to see this

You would think the Wizard would do 5 minutes worth of research before making a 19 minute video filled with misinformation.

Does this mean Mazda covers it under some type of extended warranty?

@@OMGWTFLOLSMH I mean, he called the engine "basically a Ford" engine so...

Would it show up on Identifix?

Thank you

So...is head repairable? If not how much is new one?

@@zerkfiter I did read that early models of CX-9 can have this issue , I wonder if it has anything to do with how often and what quality is 5W30 used ? There is plenty of basic 5W30 oils that may not last past 3000miles in such Direct Injection Turbo motor. That turbo was oil cooled until 2022 models that are air cooled now .

Yes it is. I can't even find a single one being torn down on the internet

So which year ranges should you avoid? I actually wouldn't mind a mazda 3 hatch with this engine

Same here I have the non turbo 2.5 in my 2022 Mazda 3 Hatch and it’s so solid. Whole car is actually premium solid feeling. I can’t believe we caught the wizard on an information error.

Spot on they parted ways in 2015. I've had Ford and now own Mazda's, would never have bought the Mazda if they had anything to do with Ford that's for sure.

Some of the original engine design might be Ford but yes Ford was 100% gone in 2016.

​@scottarmen9097 Other than some parts sourced from Ford this is 100 percent Mazda. Mazda spent tons and took a huge gamble with it at the time they designed it as it was during the great recession and Ford was selling their stake in the company.

My 2014 CX5 with the NA 2.5L Skyactiv just started having small amounts of coolant show up in the oil on my oil reports. Not looking forward to this. I’m hoping it’s something like an oil cooler issue and not the head gasket.

Just as Hyundai owning Kia and VW owning Skoda ..... So Ford can own Mazda.

@@conradscheepers Ford and Mazda had a partnership that started back in the early seventies. It’s no secret that Mazda for a long time made vehicles for Ford and Mazda in turn gave Ford a percentage of stocks and for quite a long time, shared designs back and forth between the two companies. That said, Mazda has always remained the same small independent car manufacturer that has been in Japan all its history. The tiny factory that originally was known for manufacturing cork and moved into building small vehicles several decades later has always been its own company, and still remains that way to this day.

Ford did not completely divest itself of Mazda until 2015. That said the Skyactiv-G is presumably a descendent of the Mazda L series engine--they share the same bore & stroke and it's likely a very similar block. I'm no Mazda expert here but the fundamentals seem the same. To be clear, the L-series engine *is* a Mazda design engine. However it was certainly designed during the period when Ford and Mazda had a partnership, so there is likely some "Ford technology" and input in there for sure, but the engine is not "a Ford engine" it's a Mazda engine. Ford took the L engine and named it the "Duratec" 2.5L I4, for use in its own models. This is not to be confused with the Duratec 2.5L *V6* which was developed by Ford and Porsche. Ford actually still uses a variant of the Duratec 2.5L I4 engine today, in some hybrid models. Which is funny because Mazda themselves don't use it anymore I don't think. The Skyactiv-G, even if derived from the L-series engine, would be quite a departure and had very little or no tech/input from Ford...other than what we can reasonably say was "absorbed" into Mazda from such a long partnership and what came along with whatever came with the L-series. I doubt there will be many parts here (at least engine wise) that say "FoMoCo" on them as claimed but remains to be seen. I don't think Wizard mentions this again in the follow up video, lol.

If they have a supply line to ford parts that they know are good, why make their own. And they might share some patents.

True, its the other way around Mazda engine not a Ford. Ford did use some Mazda motors.

skyActiv is not a Ford engine

@@altergreenhorn Neither are Ford. Ford was using Mazda engine (parts), not the other way around.

I'm always amazed how much people drive. My daily is a 2016 nissan and it only has 40k miles on it. Can't imagine driving 400k miles.

@@SofaKingTouge gotta feed those kids and pay the bills!

@@scooterwoodley195 put those kids to work.

And don’t take me wrong Wizard !! I love ❤️ you videos and your family thanks buddy

2016 heard wasn't great year for that mazda type

Our 2018 CX-9 had the same problem. Apparently it's common, and is a manufacturing flaw with the head casting. The fix is not just a head gasket, or even a new head. Aluminum engine block and head have to be decked, and at that point you've pulled and torn down the engine. It requires a new engine at $10K plus.

​@@craiggourley8703 That is scary Would you recommend me to buy this suv used with 120k? What year would you recommend?

@jackryder6732 Ours was fixed for almost $8000. They put a new head and a new exhaust manifold on, since both were cracked. The block was apparently fine, and it didn't need to be decked. But I understand the entire engine comes out of the vehicle when this job is performed. Honestly, I love the car, but I sure didn't love the repair bill. If you get one, verify that this work has already been done with the "new" head casting. The defective ones will eventually require a major repair. Otherwise, I expect this car will easily reach 250K with nothing more than routine maintenance.

The gaskets don't fail. The cylinder heads are defective....... Mazda is selling updated/ redesigned heads to fix this issue. I was a former Mazda Service Advisor and we did quite a few of these.

Yes the cylinder head cracks. Seen it about 20 times at my current dealer. Replaced a few heads and full long blocks

Heads cracked.

There is a tsb on this

Customer concern verified. Cylinder head leaks/cracks.

Great input. For just that less kilometers engine crack. That's not good. Would you recommend me to buy this suv used with 120k? What year would you recommend?

@@jackryder6732 That’s a lot of miles but I would recommend taking it to a Mazda dealership to have it inspected before purchasing it if possible. As far as the year goes the Mazda Cx-9 has the same engine and transmission from 2016 to 2023 but I’m sure improvements have been made over the different model years so I would try to get the newest model you could afford.

Hello I am from Toronto. What year mazda cx9 would you recommend with hardly issues.?

Is my 2017 safe? 😂

@nedaltrebor8553 yes 17 should be fine. The heads were redesigned in 18. I have a 14 3 and that isn't not affected either.

my 17 CX-9 just got this issue, so i don't think it's safe as well @@nedaltrebor8553

@@mnwolves180 Please double check your statement regarding the redesigned heads timeline. I've read quite a few threads related to this cracked heads issue and they were at least upto 2019. 2018 is definitely affected.

This is one of those times a trip to the dealer and a diagnosis fee might be worth it to see if Mazda will cover some cost or most of it. My sister had a turbo issue on her Cruze (lol 1.4T Ecotec), and she was just out of warranty. I told her to see if she could get some goodwill, and the dealer called back they would cover it for $150.

I had a 2018 CX-9 bought in Australia but only put 18k km on it before I left that part of the world (pacific island) and sold it. I remember that Mazda increased the Aussie warranty to 5 years but I guess you also only had 3 years.

Would you recommend me to buy this suv used with 120k? What year would you recommend?

@@jackryder6732 I would get one used, as long as the headwork has been done. Always get the latest model you can with the lowest km, also make sure it has been serviced. Also look for rust if you live in winter areas where salt is used. They are a great car, not perfect but good value for the money.

Would there be any benefit to preemptively have the upgraded manifold gasket installed in order to prevent the original head from failing? I have a 2020 CX-9 and the vin# does fall within the numbers noted on the TSB.

​@John Stipic you could but the it's the cylinder head that has a weaker casting near the exhaust studs. Monitor coolant level really closely. Also look near the studs and make sure it hasn't started yet. You might not see it leaking down, but it could be at the beginning stages. Usually occurs between 75-90k

@@john7365Yes, I have couple drops down to the lower heat shield to the catalyst and my is 2018 cx5 under 54k miles.

Surprised he didn't know that, I'm no mechanic and familiar which tire code.

Pretty crusty inside.

100%

Verified customer is a crackhead

it is a turd mazda so

Agreed. It's treated like a commuting appliance. ☹

Mazda and Nissan are the chrysler of japan

​@@rosssmith9941 nah only Nissan

​@@rosssmith9941Chrysler, GM , and Ford literally all suck the same amount 😂. BAD. They're only lucky the US doesn't let other brands import large trucks here cheaply or they'd really be screwed!

FORD ownership is the kiss of death to any car manufacturer.

Not true bro, at least the last part. Mazda produces its car both in Hiroshima and In Mexico. Quality is top notch in both facilities tho, but yeah it also relies on outsourcing

@@Neopumper666 mazda dont make head gaskets

regardless mazda is a third or fourth tier maker- def not among the best

@@jonsimmons4150 it’s not a ford engine

You are correct but for some weird reason the head bolts come in a ford parts box when we do the cylinder head repair. Rest of the engine is mazda

After watching your story on the head gasket leaking on the Mazda cx9, I'm a little concerned for my Mazda cx5 , which is same year (2016) and 143,000kms. Which I recently sold to a good friend, because I wasn't driving it at all. No problems so far, but can this be an issue with the cx5 ?? Love your channel ! Keep up the good honest work !

@@raymondedmondson7001 I wouldn’t worry - my girlfriend drives a 2016 CX-5 with around 100,000 miles on the clock and it’s tough as nails! She drives it like a rented mule, and it hasn’t had a single problem apart from a bad radiator cap.

@@raymondedmondson7001 There is a similar problem with the naturally aspirated CX-5 after they added cylinder deactivation. Not sure when that happened. If they did not by 2016 then your engine is bullet proof. BTW, the issue is not the head gasket but the cylinder head cracking.

@@raymondedmondson7001 I think you are in luck. It appears that they added cylinder deactivation for the 2018 model year.

Thank you for sharing you experience. I heard my owners bring their car complaints to Mazda headquarters and they honored engine replacement even after the engine was out of warranty. I’m glad to hear it worked out well. I have a 2016 CX9 with 65k miles. It runs great. I hope it doesn’t have the same issue.

Can't let one bad dealership ruin the brand rep. Those kind of dealers are all around for every brand

Wow, pretty shocked that Mazda worked with you and paid for the repair out of warranty.

@@ATICrossXMy wife and I were expecting Mazda corp to reject our petition for relief or give us a token BS discount. Some things to note for our case… - We (wife and I) are the original owners - All service performed on schedule at Mazda dealers. Follow severe driving schedule. Very through maintenance record on vehicle. I anticipated something like this happening, so we paid for overpriced dealer service instead of independent shop so if something happened, Mazda couldn’t use that excuse if we had to file a case to apply for post-warranty relief. - The dealer in PA willingly worked with us and the corp case manager and engineering support. They advocated for Mazda corporate to play the long game and that this is very bad look for the brand, and they should cover this. (while the dealer in NJ wanted nothing to do with us) So we found a dealer willing to go to bat for us. - This happened at the same time as the CX-90 launch (tops out at $62k!!!), and I reminded our case manager of the power of social media and this would be a bad time for a video to be posted showing that Mazdas are half-baked crap, failed head gasket at less than 100k miles. I know Subaru owners that got no-cost CVT out of warranty replacements for sake of keeping people loyal to brand. Argued Mazda should do the same for us. - The dealer and Mazda engineering support decided to replace the cylinder head instead of recon/reinstall, so our car would have the current revised design. They had to drill and tap new beefier studs into short block for the head attachment. Mazda engineering said the cause for first iteration turbo engines to leak is heat sink from turbo’s housing that’s integrated into exhaust manifold creates a localized hot spot compared to rest of engine, and the thermal expansion/contraction of the head and short block not being consistent because of this heat concentration will cause the head gasket breakdown after X thermal cycles, near the the turbo. Once it starts leaking, you’re screwed. But it is on the short block perimeter and not around cylinders, so leaking like crazy, it will still drive fine, assuming you keep topping off the reservoir tank. - I was persistent and kept calling and emailing, until I could find a sympathetic ear attached to a person with power to make something happen.

Hi KDogggRoc, thank you so much for your comment. I really have the same problem with my ,Mazda CX9, 2017 and I went to Mazda dealership after checking it they said that I need a new engine which is about $8500 CAD. For sure, I will file a complain and see what is going to happen.

Why? Because its not a Ford?

@@williamperrry6864 Yep. Wizard is full of it. There aren’t Ford badges all over that engine. Sky active is a Mazda design

@@bobcoats2708 This one is not an Skyactiv engine. This engine actually is an old Mazda 2.5 that Ford uses in their models too.

@@pablonavaridas3302 Please research details for PY-VPTS engines, as installed in 2016 and later Mazda CX-9s

@@pablonavaridas3302 you are totally wrong! All Mazda engines are engineered and made by Mazda

They were some of the best cars when they were mostly Japanese.

late 80 to early 2000 are the best cars for reliability

@@Veikra Yup.

And it probably had a crotch cooler vent under the dash

​@@HulluJanne bring back the ball chillers!!

Also, see Mazda TSB 01-013/21 for this exact issues. Most likely needs a new cylinder head.

Happens when the customer ignores the problems.

Ignoring the problem usually results in more leakage, harder to maintain the optimum coolent level and usually continued engine overheating. Result more damage to the engine and its ancillaries - and often not helped by a frustrated 'time poor' owner having to pull up by the side of the road in order to refill the hot engine with cold water - i.e. pouring cold water into a hot engine can cause more damage. With such a prolific leak, I wouldn't be surprised if the car overheated on the way to the Wizard's workshop.

The cylinder head is actually cracked near the exhaust studs. It is super common on these

It’s not the gasket. Head is cracked.

Broken plastic tank. Cheap in comparison.

Are you speaking English?

Yes Ford was once in in alliance with Mazda, and Ford ownd some shares of Mazda, but never the full company. Now Ford and Mazda have nothing to do with each other as Mazda is now in alliance with Toyota.

I think Ford owned a maximum of 25% at one point. It's often still cheaper and easier for car makers to source parts from another maker, rather than produce the components themselves.

Is that Hindi?

@@briancorrea524 No its Latin.

Add "FORD" to the equation and thats screaming for trouble.

@@jonsimmons4150 Except it is a Mazda engine, NOT a Ford engine.

That's actually not true. Just look at for example the honda civic type R, is just about how well they are made.

@@pablonavaridas3302 many 4 cyl engines with turbos will pop at lower mileage. Yea there are exceptions

@@pablonavaridas3302 many 4 cyl engines with turbos will pop at lower mileage. Yea there are exceptions

That's OK. Anything for YT...

Ford and Mazda have only recently cut ties. The Mazda BT50 and ford rangers are the same car up until a few years ago

You're right.

There are a few other markets where the CX-9 is sold like Europe but yes many sales are for the US/North America

Ford sold a 20% ownership in Mazda back to the Japanese automaker in 2008. Mazda was part owned by Ford Motor Company from 1974 to 2015 and now stands as its own entity.

@Bobby the heads on these engines crack due to manufacturing defect.

@Bobby good question. Load? Design flaw? Casting issues?

Must be maybe the 2.5 turbo version my Mazda has over 60K and I have had no issues at all the engine has been completely trouble-free.

@@kevinrobinson8474 good to hear.

Don’t buy turbo engines if you want 100k trouble free miles. Yes some last quite a while before issues (like diesels or the Honda Earthdreams) but that isn’t the status quo.

Glad you mentioned it also. I even contacted Mazda to confirm and on Mazda forums. He’s definitely INCORRECT. I don’t watch his channel much, but I hope he rectifies/ edits his video because it will show he listens to his avid subscribers. I own a 21 cx9 signature, and love it.

Yep, when the midsize sedan is only SLIGHTLY less fuel efficient than the compact that uses much of the same components, while the Edge/Highlander sized 3 row SUV built on the very same family sedan frame, transmission, and with a little turbo slapped onto the NA 4 banger is rated a noticeable ways below plentiful V6 sedans made within the past 20 years, one can only imagine how hard that “little engine that could” is working… particularly whether it’s straining itself over even grandma-like driving/accelerating in that thing… Hopefully that brand new i6 in the recently launched Cx90 holds up very accordingly; even if it’s smaller than many V6s pumped out in recent years…

It's not the turbo that's the problem...

Nonsense. This engine has plenty of power. The issue is a design flaw the cylinder head that was fixed in 2020.

We need that video permanently.

Yea it would be a nightmare lol

@@randomenthusiast6898 yep had mine fail on 08 Outback but it doesn’t leak coolant on these it’s more oil so you have a good warning to replace it when it stars seeping but engine out and $2400 to fix

Where did you get your tune?

@@cp1407 from Thorton Chip Tuning. Very happy with it, as I can remove it from the OBD2 port for service at the dealership, and plug it back in after. It does make a big difference. Like, 0-60 under five seconds. It sounds like I work for them, but honestly, it actually works.

@@cp1407 you may want to look up Corksport as well. They have great stuff for these cars.

@@scottimusgarrett15 thanks, that one I know about

Cylinder deactivation is horrible for the engine.

Why a month? Are heads hard to get?

What year CX-5 is it, iphone?

@@crlaw75 Outside of 2018/2019 the amount of issues related to cylinder deactivation are next to nothing when compared to GM AFM/DFM.

Cylinder deactivation is only present on naturally aspirated engines, not turbocharged.

Ugh! I can't (but yet I can from the manufacturer's position) understand why part integration like that is done! It just makes repairs insanely expensive for the customers!

Yeah, to keep the old one will be cheaper.

Not my 2010 BMW x5 in-line 6😂😂easy to work on and parts are reasonably priced

I bought a Mazda for this reason as they are going up in reliability while Toyota and Honda are going down

this is why i bought a used jaguar, car costs the same if not less in many cases to service than most cars, breaks down just as often as anything else (once in 2 years of daily driving because of alternator), and it’s a fun charactered car, the rare times it has issues, things can be expensive, but similar prices to people I know with “normal” cars.

So if the cracked head is a common problem, why would you suspect a cracked block? It's like you provided the explanation, but you don't believe it.

@@andoletube I think block was a typo.. he meant head.

Would you recommend me to buy this suv used with 120k? What year would you recommend?

@@jackryder6732 The CX-9 is a solid SUV as is any Mazda. I wouldn’t shy away from that mileage as long as it doesn’t look like it was beat on. The turbo engine in CX-9s develop the cracked head issue from excessive stress on the engine(towing, hammering the gas pedal all the time ect).

It's always a good idea to avoid thrashing an engine until it's warm but this one is pretty torquey and has no trouble getting it moving. If anything is a weakness it'd be the transmission.

Is cast-iron engine block better? Only Audi Q7 2.0L I4 turbo comes with a cast-iron engine block in its class.

In this case it seems that in some cases the head casting isn't strong enough to hold the weight of the small exhaust manifold, the turbocharger, and part of the exhaust system.

Aluminium blocks are fine if designed properly. The biggest problem with them is the cylinder liners. Some just aren't robust enough. Alusil is the notorious one but Nikasil has been known to fail too. Iron liners are robust and I think the modern plasma coatings are OK.

@@waltchan EA888 is a great engine, but always change the oil often and watch when you may need to replace timing chains, guides and tensioners

Also those engine use 3 different type of timing chains and crank sprockets. Make sure to see whether it’s type a, b or c when setting the timing.

I’d junk it.

@@user-tb7rn1il3q That makes no sense, You could fix it for $4k, sell it for $18k. You have $14k in your pocket towards your next car. If you junk it, you'd get $1-2k for it, as a whole, or if you could part it out yourself, maybe $3k. You still think you'd junk it?

@@andoletube Patch and send it. I didn’t mean sell cheap to junk dealer.

this is the way of life owning cars, what matters is what the car means to you, it is really the worst. recently my $6200 reliable jaguar 99 xk8, just had a bill to refresh a lot under engine bay (all hoses, gaskets etc aside from head gasket) go from 3500 to 5500, I could buy another xk8 for 5500, but would it be a sorted car? I did get ripped off, they upcharged labor and parts, and I could have gotten that done for probably 3500 if i looked hard enough, but at the end of the day, if the car means a lot to you, it is better to keep it and fix it than take a loss and then have to find another car that you don’t even know the history of.

Most manufacturers only include the full dot on the 'outside' of the tire or where the barcode on the tire bead faces.

I'll counter with my Mazda, has over 200,000 miles; engine runs like new, with perfect compression.

@@petesmitt So, basically, you have a 50-50 chance of getting a good car or a bad car, according to this informal survey

Lmao sounds like the first shop is a ton of dummies

George Carlin wouldn't fix it

Out of car

What years are the newer cs?

2013

"If you are going to tear into that engine, may as well do it right. " Exactly. $4K is a disappointingly expensive repair, but if done well, it will mean 150K .... plus... miles, at which point it becomes an investment in longevity and safety. I would have considered junking that Mazda and buying a new car a foolish decision, unless you have money to burn. The car should be more reliable now, with the replaced head, than before. Fascinating discussion on this vehicle. Reading the reviews from Mazda experts has made this one of the most interesting threads i have read on car repair. My wife would have junked this car. If I trusted the mechanic, I would fix this car 100% of the time. I know what everyone is thinking, though, how do you know you can trust a mechanic? It can take years of going to the wrong ones before finding a cost effective mechanic. I have found one now, and refer my friends to him, but some (my wife) insist on going to the dealer even after warranty is up. I'm totally over that.

I agree. With all the labour it will take to remove and replace that head, the cost of the parts to do it right isn't all that much. But, I wonder what the bill will be when he has to add the cost of the new head to the bill. That head is cracked.