Codes P0105 and P0300?

Tiny
RAMJACCORP
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 MAZDA MILLENIA
  • 2.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 21,700 MILES
I've been told this is the hardest car in the world to work on, and after trying, I have to agree. Error code P0105 came up, after the car started idling rough. I tested the MAP/boost sensor and its companion solenoid, disconnected and cleaned all electrical contacts, cleaned MAF sensor, etc. There are hoses that I couldn't access under the air intake pipe (couldn't get that thing off!), But the mileage is so low, the vacuum hoses all look pretty new. After putting everything back together, I got a new code: P0300. Both codes point to any one of about 15 or more causes. I have readings from a basic code reader, if they're of any use. One thing that stands out: a reading of 25 on the short-term fuel trim - I know that's way too high. Also, the O2 readings seem really low. I have no money for expensive testing at a shop, so I'm pretty screwed. The only symptom so far is very rough idle. I haven't driven it since the CEL came on. Any thoughts? Thanks for your time and any help you can offer!
Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 AT 3:22 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,375 POSTS
Hi:

If the short term fuel trims are +25%, you must have a somewhat significant vacuum leak, weak fuel pump, or an exhaust leak pre cat.

If you haven't already, check the fuel pressure to confirm it is within the manufacturer's specifications. Here is a link that explains how to check.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

I attached the pressure specifications below (pic 1). The remaining pictures are the step by step diagnostics for the P0105 code.

Let me know if this helps.

Take care,

joe

See pics below

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, May 2nd, 2024 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
RAMJACCORP
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thanks so much for the advice and hard-to-find documentation, Joe! I'm not sure I can tackle your recommended tasks, partly because the car is such a beast to work on, and partly due to my skill level. I do have one crucial question: Yesterday, testing for vacuum, I removed the hose from from the MAP sensor solenoid that feeds under the intake pipe I couldn't remove. (There are several hoses fed in there, with plastic tees that I hear are prone to failure). I felt very slight vacuum, but when I plugged the end with my finger, I heard a significant hiss. I'm guessing that's a sign of that major leak you referred to, and not a normal occurrence, right? Since I can't get that intake pipe off without dismantling half the engine, I was thinking about just cutting the hoses, one by one, and pulling them out, then feeding in replacement hoses and tees. Of course, it might not be the hoses or tees at fault. I'm not comfortable spraying carb cleaner all over that really hot-running engine to try and find the source of the leak.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 3rd, 2024 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,375 POSTS
Hi:

That is exactly what it sounds like. If you are able to reconnect the new hoses, that would be a good idea. See if you can narrow down where the sound comes from.

Let me know if you do it and the outcome.

Take care,

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 3rd, 2024 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
RAMJACCORP
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Time for an update, and another question. Had a smoke test done, and sure enough, the vacuum leak seems to be in that area I described that I can't access. I started to dismantle some parts again, and when I removed the Charge Air Cooler, I found a small amount of very strong, foul-smelling oil inside the pipes, and the rubber hose that connects it to the supercharger air pipe that I couldn't remove. I hope I'm wrong, but I have a feeling there shouldn't be oil of any kind in there. Thoughts? I'm holding off on the disassembly, because I might not be able to find replacement gaskets for the old girl.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, May 12th, 2024 AT 3:39 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,375 POSTS
Hi:
There really shouldn't be oil in there. I'm wonder if that is getting past the SC. Was there anything that appeared to be leaking that you could see.

Let me know.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, May 12th, 2024 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
RAMJACCORP
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thanks for the reply, Joe. From above, I see no leaks anywhere. Nice and dry. Nothing on the ground, but I haven't inspected the engine's underside. Will try to do that tomorrow.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, May 12th, 2024 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,351 POSTS
JACOBANDNICKOLAS is one of our best! Please let us know.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
RAMJACCORP
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I inspected the engine, and there's no visible oil leaks. Also, I did some more research, and got some conflicting info. I saw several people say that a small amount of oil in the pipe is completely normal, as it is condensed oil vapor. I found less than a teaspoon of oil, so I'm hoping that this falls under the "normal" classification. The only thing left to do now is disassemble enough to visually inspect the area where the vacuum leak appears to be coming from. That's another dilemma, as I haven't found decent instructions on how to do that yet. Here's the area where the leak seems to be coming from.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 AT 10:33 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,375 POSTS
Hi:

First, I would say yes to the amount of oil found is acceptable. As far as the leak, I just pulled out the manuals and it shows a P model and an S model. Both are the v6, but neither are showing a turbo.

The pipe you are referring to appears to have two bolts at the rear of the engine and then both ends would be clamped. Is that what you are seeing?

Also, let me know if the model millenia you have.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 AT 6:22 PM
Tiny
RAMJACCORP
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi, Joe - thanks for confirming the small piece of good news, regarding the oil. Strange about the manuals. The S model designates the turbocharged version. Mine is a 2002 S. From what I've been able to find online, if I'm not mistaken, the engine is designated in manuals as "KJ." The non-turbo model is "KL."

The large pipe is indeed the one clamped at both ends. There are several other bolts toward the firewall, as well as 2 bolts hidden underneath the pipe, which I was able to remove. I read somewhere that you have to remove an entire section as one unit, because the various parts are interconnected with hidden, inaccessible bolts. I sadly had the misfortune of confirming that. Here's a photo showing the parts involved. Getting all of that removed seems to be the only way to inspect the hoses and tees, as well as look for cracks causing the leak. Fun, huh?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 AT 7:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,375 POSTS
Hi:

Fun? I'm glad you're doing it and not me. LOL You have to wonder who comes up with these designes.

Regardless, let me know how things work out for you.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 AT 7:49 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links