Mazda 3 BM capacitor change...

[Monster72]

@2824 normally workshop or stockist don’t keep stock, called a few stockist liao because if I’m not wrong there is expiry date and is expensive. They normally order when customer confirmed.

[Vratenza]

13 hours ago, sinistral said:

Under normal circumstances, if the capacitor fails, it should enter bypass mode, allowing the alternator to provide the electrical needs of the car, so there is no need to replace a failed capacitor, but there is a possibility that the bypass mode can fail, and if the alternator fails as well, the car will eventually stall since the car battery is not being charged.

The capacitor seems to be able to last quite a bit; if the daily charge/discharge cycle counts at 200, 10 years of daily driving will accumulate 730,000 cycles which is below the specified one million cycles.

Then again, I don't think the domestic market often face capacitor replacement needs because the average Japanese changes car every 5-6 years and accumulate lower mileage.

Screenshots below lifted from i-eloop technical datasheet:

 

Good information

Confirms my suspicion that a well designed system (especially for a non-essential component) should have a bypass mode.

the anecdotal recount of symptoms of failed i-eloop is probably confounded by concurrent aging wear and tear of alternator, weak main battery.

When the affected car owner replaces the i-eloop, usually the workshop would have done a full check of the charging system and replace those parts when necessary. Many might not have emphasized or mentioned that they got an oil change, spark plug change or battery change at the same time as the replacement. So in a way artificially attribute whatever improvement in ride to just the i-eloop replacement.

[Axela525]

@Vratenza They do a PCM reset....can see the millage for petrol all back to zero....got a friend dunno change alternator...$1k, still same, change battery, still same than at last Capacitor....perfect...wasted alot of money troubleshooting.....

[ER-3682]

4 hours ago, Axela525 said:

Stockists & Workshops so Kiasi,2 Years Shelf Life,bring in 10-15 Pcs,sure can sell off.

[Ody_2004]

10 minutes ago, ER-3682 said:

Stockists & Workshops so Kiasi,2 Years Shelf Life,bring in 10-15 Pcs,sure can sell off.

can is can lah but some workshop balance sheet not so balance.. to lock in $15K for this parts they may not want or able to do it..

For agent likewise they may not carry so many unit.. as most will not visit them after 5 years! whahahahahaha..

[Mkl22]

34 minutes ago, ER-3682 said:

Stockists & Workshops so Kiasi,2 Years Shelf Life,bring in 10-15 Pcs,sure can sell off.

Not like consumables which have high turnover or can just write off the cost. These are too ex. Quite some marginal car owners out there who would rather scrap and buy another if maintenance is too high. 

[Axela525]

@Ody_2004 AD selling $2.8k...nobody buy from them...change Q85 battery $360, change FOB battery $17!!

[Axela525]

@Mkl22 But if u bought without knowing it at 5 years....have to change coz COE now so high...those who bought 2nd sure dunno the capacitor thing,,,if know they won't buy....lol

[Axela525]

Just now went out for a long drive, very smooth idling like new car.....regret never change earlier...AD oredi say capacitor weak....I thought they want to earn my money.....😃

Edited July 16, 2022 by Axela525

[Loki]

16 hours ago, Axela525 said:

@Ody_2004 AD selling $2.8k...nobody buy from them...change Q85 battery $360, change FOB battery $17!!

Crazy change fob battery can do yourself.  Only $2.50 for the battery 

[Vratenza]

16 hours ago, Axela525 said:

@Mkl22 But if u bought without knowing it at 5 years....have to change coz COE now so high...those who bought 2nd sure dunno the capacitor thing,,,if know they won't buy....lol

I dare say even those who bought brand new when launch will probably not be aware of how the i-eloop works and how crucial the capacitor is to the proper running of the vehicle as well as being held ransom to going back to the manufacturer to buy replacement within 7 yrs of ownership. 

Personally I feel Mazda did a disservice to this i-eloop generation of owners. Now that it silently end this "experimental" innovation, it is leaving current owners to carry the baby of higher maintenance in the cold. 

My first car was a Mazda 6 2.3 hatchback, was happy with the built quality, the handling and the generally refined ride quality. The wear and tear parts are pretty much standard with most other ICE cars and  I am not worse off in anyway for it. 

[Axela525]

[Beehive3783]

On 7/15/2022 at 8:42 PM, sinistral said:

Under normal circumstances, if the capacitor fails, it should enter bypass mode, allowing the alternator to provide the electrical needs of the car, so there is no need to replace a failed capacitor, but there is a possibility that the bypass mode can fail, and if the alternator fails as well, the car will eventually stall since the car battery is not being charged.

The capacitor seems to be able to last quite a bit; if the daily charge/discharge cycle counts at 200, 10 years of daily driving will accumulate 730,000 cycles which is below the specified one million cycles.

Then again, I don't think the domestic market often face capacitor replacement needs because the average Japanese changes car every 5-6 years and accumulate lower mileage.

Screenshots below lifted from i-eloop technical datasheet:

 

The capacitor's lifespan is affected by operating temperature. Japan's weather is generally much cooler than Singapore so expect the lifespan of the capacitor to deteriorate accordingly. But really, the lifespan is pretty short for a 6 to 7 year old car.

[Monster72]

@Axela525 thanks to monster garage my misfired problems solved. They did a valve carbon clean up, changed my oil to Greddy platinum 0w20 (previous workshop used wrong oil). Changed valve gasket and VVTI seal. Rear Brake rotor and brake pad also botak liao. Now my car pick up and respond is good. No need to change capacitor still doing well. 

[Deathray]

Finally after hearing so much about CC Motors, the many hundreds likes on their carousel ad, their perfect reviews, and after speaking to the guru of the Mazda capacitor himself, i decided to change my i-eloop capacitor.

After 2 hours, everything was resolved. Car feels so different!! The boss and guru, James, was super knowledgeable! He even provided me all the before and after diagnostic result!! Best of all, i was given 6 months warranty!!!

How I wished i had found them earlier. Would have saved my money on alternator, 4 coils and a new set of spark plugs!

 

 

[ER-3682]

This i-Eloop is the most ''Stupid'' Invention from Mazda,totally not needed...like the 2.0 Mazda 6...1st batch[i don't know later or current batches have or not.?],don't have it.

Edited May 27, 2023 by ER-3682

[Mkl22]

On 5/27/2023 at 8:16 AM, ER-3682 said:

This i-Eloop is the most ''Stupid'' Invention from Mazda,totally not needed...like the 2.0 Mazda 6...1st batch[i don't know later or current batches have or not.?],don't have it.

All in the name of fuel saving and emission to clear regulations. In the end to add devices which the consumer pays more for. I would think it’s net net the same. But obviously the tree huggers will claim differently

[Kb27]

if capacitors is the problem, can you put a couple of humungous 50 Farad for car audio system onto the battery line ? 

https://www.amazon.com/Rockville-RFC30F-Capacitor-Voltage-Display/dp/B08298MNJC?th=1

It's probably cheaper than changing Mazda's cap.