Engine & identification
Vehicle identification
| No. of cylinders Type | 6/DOHC |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Fiscal) cc | 1845 (1829) |
| Compression ratio :1 | 9,2 |
| Suitable for unleaded petrol | Yes |
| Minimum octane rating RON | 91 |
| Ignition system Type | ESA |
| Ignition system Description | Map-i |
| Trigger location | Distributor/Crankshaft |
| Fuel system Make | Mazda |
| Fuel system Type | EGI |
| Fuel system Description | MFI-s |
| Air metering Type | Flow |
| Combined ignition and fuel ECM | Yes |
| Diagnostic socket | Yes |
Ignition system
| Ignition coil Make | Denso |
|---|---|
| Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V | 12,0 |
| Primary resistance Ohm | — |
| Coil resistances | |
| Secondary resistance Ohm | — |
| Distributor (ECM) Make | Denso |
Firing order
The firing order for the Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) is 1-2-3-4-5-6.
| Coil resistances | |
|---|---|
| Firing order | 1-2-3-4-5-6 |
Valve clearances
Valve clearances on the Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.
| Valve clearance - INLET mm | Hydraulic |
|---|---|
| Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm | Hydraulic |
Engine oil & fluids
Engine oil
The Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) takes 4.0 litres of engine oil with the filter.
See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.
Manual gearbox
The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 2.7 litres. The specified oil is SAE 75W-90.
Coolant
The listed total cooling-system capacity is 7.5 litres.
Grades, filling conditions and capacities
| Engine oil options | |
|---|---|
| Ambient temperature range | ➞0°C |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A2 |
| Ambient temperature range | -25°C➞ |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 10W-30 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A2 |
| Engine with filter(s) litres | 4.0 |
| Other lubricants and capacities | |
| Manual transmission oil grade SAE | 75W-90 |
| Manual transmission litres | 2.7 |
| Cooling system - total capacity litres | 7.5 |
| Brake fluid Type | DOT 3 |
| Power steering fluid Type | Dexron II |
| Power steering fluid litres | 1.2 |
Brakes & wear limits
Brake disc thickness
Brake discs on the Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 20 mm (ventilated) front and 7 mm rear.
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front | 20 mm |
|---|---|
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement Rear | 7 mm |
Brake disc and drum dimensions
| Disc runout Front | 0,10 mm |
|---|---|
| Disc runout Rear | 0,10 mm |
| Minimum pad thickness Front | 2 mm |
| Minimum pad thickness Rear | 2 mm |
| Parking brake travel No. of notches | 5-7 |
Service & electrical
Ignition timing
Basic ignition timing for the Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) is 10°±1° BTDC at 670 rpm.
| Ignition timing and idle speed | |
|---|---|
| Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm | 10±1/670 |
Battery
The Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) uses a 12 V, 65 Ah battery (reserve capacity 110 minutes).
| Battery V/RC(Ah) | 12/110 (65) |
|---|
Spark plugs
The Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) uses NGK BKR5E-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.
| Spark plugs Original equipment | NGK |
|---|---|
| Spark plug Type | BKR5E-11 |
| Electrode gap mm | 1,1 |
| Spark plugs Make | Autolite |
| Spark plug Type | APP3924 |
| Electrode gap mm | 1,0 |
| Spark plugs Make | Beru |
| Spark plug Type | 14FR-7DUX |
| Electrode gap mm | 1,1 |
| Spark plugs Make | Bosch |
| Spark plug Type | FR7DCX |
| Electrode gap mm | 1,1 |
| Spark plugs Make | Champion |
| Spark plug Type | RC10YC4 |
| Electrode gap mm | 1,1 |
| Spark plugs Make | NGK |
| Spark plug Type | BKR5E-11 |
| Electrode gap mm | 1,1 |
Tuning and emissions
| Tuning conditions | — |
|---|---|
| View more information | — |
| Ignition timing and idle speed | |
| Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm | ECM Controlled |
| Idle speed rpm | 670±30 |
| Oil temperature °C | 60 |
| CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO | 0,5 Max Not adjustable |
| HC level at idle speed ppm | 100 |
| CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2 | 14,5-16 |
| O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2 | 0,1-0,5 |
| Increased idle speed for CO test rpm | 2500-2800 |
| CO content at increased idle speed Vol. % | 0,3 |
| Lambda at increased idle λ | 0,97-1,03 |
Starting and charging
| Starter motor Make | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|
| Starter motor Type | 1,7kW |
| Maximum cranking amps A | 176-215 |
| Alternator Make | Mitsubishi |
| Alternator Type | 90A |
| Alternator output A/V/rpm | 90/14/3000 |
| Regulated voltage V | 14,1-14,7 |
Service checks and adjustments
| Compression pressure bar | 9,8-13,3 |
|---|---|
| Oil pressure bar/rpm | 3,3-4,9/3000 |
| Radiator cap bar | 0,74-1,03 |
| Thermostat opens °C | 80-84 |
| Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm | 7-8 |
Fuel system
| Fuel pump delivery pressure bar | 5,0-6,5 |
|---|---|
| System pressure bar | 2,7-3,1 |
| Regulated pressure with vacuum bar | 2,1-2,7 |
| Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor Ohm/°C | 290-350/80 |
| Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor/engine speed (RPM) sensor Ohm | 520-580 |
| Injector Ohm | 13,8 |
| Idle air control (IAC) valve/idle speed control (ISC) actuator Ohm | 11,0-13,0 |
Tightening torques
Cylinder head bolt torque
The cylinder head bolts on the Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) are tightened in 3 stages: 23-26 Nm, then 90°, then a final 90°.
| Cylinder head | |
|---|---|
| Maximum bolt length | 135 mm |
| Tighten | 23-26 Nm |
| Tighten | 90° |
| Tighten | 90° |
| Cylinder head instructions | — |
|---|---|
| Other engine tightening torques | |
| Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts | No |
| Big end bearings Stage 1 | 25 Nm |
| Big end bearings Stage 2 | 90° |
| Oil pump to cylinder block | 20-25 Nm |
| Sump bolts | — |
| Sump bolts | |
| Sump drain bolt | 30-40 Nm |
| Flywheel/driveplate | 100 Nm |
| Clutch pressure plate | 18-26 Nm |
| Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt | 157-167 Nm |
| Camshaft sprocket/gear | 123-140 Nm |
| Camshaft carrier/cap | 11-14 Nm |
| Camshaft/rocker cover | 5-9 Nm |
| Inlet manifold to cylinder head | 20-25 Nm |
| Exhaust manifold to cylinder head | 20-25 Nm |
| Spark plugs | 15-23 Nm |
| Lambda sensor (Oxygen) | 30-49 Nm |
| Chassis tightening torques | |
| Front hub | 235-319 Nm |
| Rear hub | 177-235 Nm |
| Steering track rod end | 42-57 Nm |
| Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front | 54 Nm |
| Brake caliper to carrier Rear | 53 Nm |
| Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear | 52 Nm |
| Back plate to hub Rear | 45-60 Nm |
| ABS sensor Front | 20 Nm |
| ABS sensor Rear | 20 Nm |
| Road wheels | 88-118 Nm |
Air conditioning
| No. of AC service connectors | 2 |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning restrictor type | Expansion valve |
| Compressor clutch/magnetic coupling | Yes |
| Compressor variable displacement solenoid | No |
| Air conditioning refrigerant Type | R134a |
| Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams | 800 |
| Air conditioning oil Type | Atmos S 150 |
| Air conditioning oil quantity cm³ | 150 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the firing order of the Mazda MX-3 1.8?
The firing order for the Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) is 1-2-3-4-5-6.
What spark plugs does the Mazda MX-3 1.8 use?
The Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) uses NGK BKR5E-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.
How much oil does the Mazda MX-3 1.8 take?
The Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) takes 4.0 litres of engine oil with the filter. See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.
What are the valve clearances for the Mazda MX-3 1.8?
Valve clearances on the Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.
What is the cylinder head torque for the Mazda MX-3 1.8?
The cylinder head bolts on the Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) are tightened in 3 stages: 23-26 Nm, then 90°, then a final 90°.
What is the ignition timing for the Mazda MX-3 1.8?
Basic ignition timing for the Mazda MX-3 1.8 (1991–1999) is 10°±1° BTDC at 670 rpm.