Mazda BT-50 Engine Problems

It’s possibly a faulty sensor sending the wrong signal to the ECM. Have it checked by your dealer or mechanic.

You need to take it to a mechanic for a diagnostic check to find the cause of the problem. It sounds like it could be in the transmission; perhaps the powertrain module could be at fault.

It won’t be a gearbox fault, and it won’t be air in the fuel. It’s happening on first starts, so look for something that’s amiss with it during the cold start phase. It’s probably not getting the required enrichment. Check the engine sensors.

Without being able to view it and hear it firsthand it's hard to suggest what might be wrong. It could be a bearing in the turbo, but that's only an educated guess. I would have a mechanic check it.

You should be running a 5W-40 oil.

No. That’s an odd one and needs investigation to determine what’s gone wrong. I’d suggest consulting a diesel engine specialist.

It’s certainly something that should be fixed under warranty, but it’s not something that would normally be the subject of a recall. Recalls are for issues of safety where there is a risk to life and limb.

With so many different causes logged on the diagnostic check you would have to think it’s something like the ECU, but it’s a hard one to diagnose. You really need to have it happen when the mechanic is there to witness it.

It’s hard to believe there was no warning before the engine blew. The engine would not instantly overheat the moment the coolant was dumped and there would have been some signal to indicate all was not well. If Mazda are refusing to talk to you, you could take it to VCAT and make a claim.

 There have been other reports of BT-50s and Rangers shutting down, but they can usually be restarted. The problem with that is that the problem doesn't exist when the car is taken to a mechanic to find the cause, but because yours wouldn't restart the mechanic might be able to identify the cause.