# 2012 Madza3 $1800 for engine decarb **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mazda, engines\ **Created:** [August 4, 2019, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000 "2019-08-04T21:30:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Louiskwr\_155718](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@Louiskwr\_155718](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Louiskwr_155718)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/1 "2019-08-04T21:30:07Z")
I went to my dealer because my engine light went on. Prior to that I went to Autozone and got a free diagnose which said one of my could needed to be replaced. I tried that but the engine still went on. So when I went to the dealer they said I need an engine decarb and replacement of my PCV valve and injectors. All this for around $1800. I feel like that too much money. Am I being played? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/2 "2019-08-04T21:34:15Z")
> [@Louiskwr\_155718](#): > > Am I being played? Probably not , that is probably fair dealer prices . Of course you location is unknown. It would help if you posted the code you got Pxxxx . Also you are out of warranty so do like most people and get an estimate from an independent shop. That will help you make a decision . ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/3 "2019-08-04T21:47:36Z")
Why are you taking a vehicle that’s out of warranty to the dealer? Take the vehicle to an independent shop for a second opinion. Sounds like someone has a boat payment due. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Louiskwr\_155718](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@Louiskwr\_155718](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Louiskwr_155718)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/4 "2019-08-04T21:53:26Z")
I bought the car at their dealership over a year ago. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 9:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/5 "2019-08-04T21:54:49Z")
> [@Louiskwr\_155718](#): > > I bought the car at their dealership over a year ago. But that does not mean you have to have it repaired there . ---
**Author:** ![Louiskwr\_155718](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@Louiskwr\_155718](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Louiskwr_155718)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/6 "2019-08-04T21:59:04Z")
Yes, I understand that. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t being tricked before checking our other repair shops. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 11:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/7 "2019-08-04T23:31:10Z")
The only way to know is to have another shop look at it. Find a good independent (not chain) shop, ask around for recommendations, use Google, Yelp. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/8 "2019-08-04T23:32:59Z")
Replace the pcv valve and try some techron or seafoam, sounds a bit overkill. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2019, 1:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/9 "2019-08-06T13:51:55Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > Replace the pcv valve and try some techron or seafoam, sounds a bit overkill. That would definitely be my first step before throwing 1800 bucks at it. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2019, 2:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/10 "2019-08-06T14:10:57Z")
You really need to provide the diagnostic code that was given along with the miles on the car. Also, by “could” do you mean “coil”? Was this a misfire code? As for the PCV valve; maybe or probably. As for all of the injectors failing; not likely. ---
**Author:** ![Louiskwr\_155718](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@Louiskwr\_155718](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Louiskwr_155718)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/11 "2019-08-06T20:48:50Z")
Yes, I meant cool. Visited a couple of mechanics and went with the one that sounded like he knew his stuff. I’m having it worked on now. I’m getting it decarb and a new coil. He said my valve and injectors are good, the pressure was just getting messed up from the carbon build up ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2019, 8:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-madza3-1800-for-engine-decarb/146000/12 "2019-08-06T20:55:34Z")
There is a service bulletin for the misfire/carbon build-up problem. The repair takes about 4 hours to remove the intake manifold and clean the carbon from the valves.