hi wai
ok, i will have a look into that. will rob still try the engine flush but am thinking that as i know my nice cheap mechanic that i will let him get his hands dirty instead! needs a service anyway.

The engine has done about 65000 to 70000, not sure exactly as it was a replacement engine put into the car by a mate of mine when he had it. only cost me £1900.

Have done the stereo thing for a while but its that little annoying noise that is now stating to get on my nerves. how much does a friction gear go for? have read about them before on the site some where else, could have been here!
Will

changing the oil in a car is probably one of the simplest things you can do

Jack up front, support using axle stands. Get a 19mm socket and breaker bar, undo the sump bolt. Put a large tray under the sump, undo the sump bolt and watch that oil flow. Leave it for 10 mins.

replace bolt tightly, top up with 4 litres of oil (may be different for V6). Leave 5 mins. Check level with dipstick top up if necessary.

we should put easy maintenance stuff like that in the guides section

Don't forget - it's a good idea to fit a fresh oil filter when you install the new oil !

When I get the cash for some good oil, I'll be doing it too, but wheres the best place to put the axle stands?

At the rear of each control arm, there's a round whatsit with a big rubber bush in it that the control arm pivots on. That's what I use ...

Cheers, but I also forgot to ask if you've got a trolley jack, where d'you put the jack point? My previous car was on the engine support member, is this something similar?
Being a right ignoramus here, as even tho I've had car 6 months, haven't even got under the front yet to see whats what.
Well, its me age and thats the excuse I'm sticking too

ok, so now we know how to change the oil, how do we change the filter? am assuming/ guessing that its a case of unscrewing it? once saw a tip that if you are installing a new filter it is a good idea to put a small amount of oil actually into the filter before you put it on, that way it is primed and ready to go. but dont take my word for it!

Yup, thats right, screwed on, screwed off, though should only be hand tight screwed on, and can use a oil filter wrench (a band or chain which fits round the filter then uses a lever action to turn the filter) to unscrew old one.
Having said that, as you don't need the filter once you're gonna change it, a screwdriver hammered into it to provide a handle to which to turn it can be used, but having tried it, can be a bit messy, but needs must

Oil round the rubber gasket on the filter will provide a seal for the filter, but don't forget to give the engine side a wipe with a rag incase there's any crap on the surface.
I believe the 323 is same as other cars where it is a good idea to get a sump plug washer with the filter, this collapseable metal washer will give a good seal for the sump bolt, believe me, don't use the old one, it makes life much more harder!!
Hope this helps bit more, any errors in it, let me know

[quote="Steve Zodiac & Robbie"]Cheers, but I also forgot to ask if you've got a trolley jack, where d'you put the jack point? My previous car was on the engine support member, is this something similar?
Being a right ignoramus here, as even tho I've had car 6 months, haven't even got under the front yet to see whats what.
Well, its me age and thats the excuse I'm sticking too [/quote]

It's quite odd, but the trolley jack that used to work great on my '85 VW Passat doesn't seem to give enough lift to my Astina (SA 323F ...) top get the axle stands in, so I normally just use the OEM jack on each side. Of course, when you're doing the oil, you only really need to lift the right hand side and put a stand under there, anyway.

[quote="Wai.Cheung"]Mazda Priory in Cambridge want approx £33 + VAT for EACH tappet for the V6!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess I'd better go out and pull more notes off my money-tree!!! [/quote]

I won't say I told you so, but..... in my opinion I'd forget the tappets and just get the friction gear done, it'll sound like a new car

hmm all very interesting only difference is i had that taxi sound like noise b4 too!!! piss me off enuf! neways i had an oil change and it did the trick so hope it works out for u guys! make sure u get the engine flush in while the car is warm and drive around wit it in the oil for about 10-15 mins

you may be aware of my car troubles at mo, so anyway I wouldnt recommend using 0/40 oil in your car, especially the V6 - I thought mine loved it, but it just knackered it, or so it looks -

Quote from Mazda Dealer " Do NOT use 0/40 oil in a V6 it is prone to problems - only use the recommended 10/40

I have learnt my lesson well lol, having said that I always had 0/40 in my previous Mazda's 2 of MX5 both had no problems at all..