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2002 Mazda B3000
Dual Sport P/U

Dependable Hauler
January 29, 2012 - Finally!  Another reasonably warm and clear day gave me the chance to get the truck back together.  I used Chip's pump to transfer most of the gas into cans, which then got dumped into the Aspen and the MGB-GT.  It took a bit of maneuvering to get all of the wires and hoses set up the right way, but It all went back together without too much fuss.  I have to say it was a relief when the truck started up, though.  There was always the chance some obscure sensor or computer chip had gone bad.  Anyway, no leaks, drips, or other issues.  I took the truck over to get gas again - it was almost completely empty.  Looking at the picture, I'm impressed with the condition - that's a 10 year-old underside there!  Next step is to get the truck inspected.  I found out about the fuel pump the morning I was going to take it in for its Virginia State Inspection, and it's now almost February.  I'll wait until the end of the week - no point in fighting the masses with January inspections running out.  This was a lot of work, but I probably saved the cost of the Sonata's new tires putting the fuel pump and filter in myself!
January 17, 2012 - It's been a busy year so far, so I didn't really get anything done on the truck until today.  It's a workday, but with 69 degrees and mostly sunny skies in the middle of January, I took the day and got busy.  Multiple attempts to drain the tank have been thwarted by internal anti-siphon baffles, so I had to do it with a full tank.  Getting the tank out wasn't too bad, though the so-called quick-disconnects only released when I broke the ^%$#@! plastic locking tabs.  I also broke one fuel line end.  With the tank safely on the ground, I discovered the sending unit is held in by a large plastic locking ring that requires a special tool to remove.  Or a large C-clamp - I closed the clamp up until it fit between opposing slots and it turned off just fine.  I picked up a new fuel pump at Advance, along with a Dorman 800-053 clip replacement kit.  It seems I'm not the only one who breaks the clips.  That still left the broken fuel line.  Chip stopped by in the afternoon, and we went out to the local Pick N' Pull, a junkyard that lets you gets small parts yourself.  We searched the Ford products until we found some usable ends and an assortment of clips.  A big $2 plus tax later (Well, plus $2 each getting in), and I had everything I needed.  I have the pump installed, and the tank is ready to go back in.  The weather looks good for the weekend, so I'll plan on getting her back together then.
January 1, 2012 - Further troubleshooting has pretty much pinpointed the fuel pump.  It will be a somewhat difficult job thanks to the so-called -quick release' fittings that Ford saw fit to use on the gas lines.  Plus the gas tank is full.  I plan to attack the job next weekend while I have the empty space in the main garage.  (Wildflower will be off at the big car show).  I can't really begrudge the truck - this is the first real trouble I have had in over ten years of ownership!
December 29, 2011 - I went out this morning to take the truck over for state inspection, and for the first time in over ten years, it wouldn't start!  It cranks fine, just doesn't do anything else.  Either no spark or no gas - I suspect a bad fuel pump (naturally, since I just filled the gas tank, which is where the pump is).  I don't hear any sound of pump operation from the tank, and when I pressed the pressure relief valve on the fuel rail,. nothing happened even with the ignition on.  I'll have to do some more troubleshooting before buying a new pump. 
July 24, 2011 - I gave the truck a good cleaning today and checked fluids.  I was surprised to find the oil down more than half a quart.  At least, until I check the service log and discovered I had not changed the oil in almost 10,000 mile!  BAD BOB!  I use the truck so seldom I tend to forget service intervals.  I replaced the oil and filter, and also put in a new air filter and checked the other fluids.  Other than a top off of windshield washer fluid, she was fine. 
December 11, 2010 - I was checking over the truck today and noticed that the 'eye' on the original battery has gone from Green to Red.   A turn of the key confirmed the engine was cranking noticeably slower, thought she fired up quickly.  With winter knocking at the door and the original battery having lasted well over 9 years, I figured it was time to buy a new one. Advance had a 6-year warranty battery for about $100, so I drove over and traded away the faithful, but failing original.  I was lucky to catch it now instead of the next time I wanted to use the truck on a cold morning.
August 28, 2010 - Nine years old and over 70K miles - the Mazda has required nothing more than oil changes, one set of tires, a transmission oil change, one set of spark plugs, and front brake pads (didn't really need the plugs or pads).  It even has its original battery!  I decided to rotate the tires today.  That also gives me a chance to check out the underside (clean and solid) and scrub down the inside of the wheels and tires. 
April 18, 2010 - I put the truck to the test this weekend - a trailer, MGB-GT, and a mess of spare parts including a spare engine and tranny, all the way from Raleigh NC.  She worked a little on hills, but made the trip with no fuss, no overheating, and about 17 mpg!  Not bad for a V-6.
November 29, 2009 - The leak is definitely fixed - a lot of rain today, and the truck stayed dry.  After some disappointing results with expensive fabric cleaners, I was considering having the interior professionally cleaned.  Today, I picked up some Blue Coral carpet and upholstery cleaner from Advance Auto - I've used it before with great success - and had...  well, great success!   Woolite and Renuzit cleaners had done nothing, but the Blue Coral cleaned the seats right up like new.  I'll go ahead and get the truck cleaned and detailed,  and I am going to start keeping a cover on it.  After more than 8 years she's still hard to tell from a new one.
November 23, 2009 - Another year has come and gone and the Mazda soldiers on, now showing just of 66K miles.  Last year's trip to Hilton Head was uneventful.  The truck did great and also pulled the MG TC on a trailer up to a big antique import car show in Richmond, VA (about 100 miles away) in September.  The original battery shows no sign of getting tired after more than 8 years, and she still runs like new.  I was annoyed to see stains on the seat upholstery that didn't make sense.  I've kept them cleaned and vacuumed.  Then I found out they were water stains!  The first suspect was the sliding rear window seal, but putting sealer around that didn't help.  Then I took a closer look at the third brake light mounted on the back edge of the cab.  The leading edge had bowed from heat warping of the plastic body and had opened up a gap.  I pulled the light assembly and ran a bead of clear sealer all around.  It rained most of today and the inside stayed dry.  Now I have to figure out how to get the ^%##! water stains out!
October 17, 2008 - The Mazda has been flawless for seven years - she hasn't been driven too hard, given less than 60K on the odometer since 2001, but she's never so much as hiccupped.  She looks great too - the silver paint still shines like new, and the interior stays nice.  She'll be getting a workout in a couple of weeks, though.  I'm going to tow the 1929 Model A Ford pickup to the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance.  That's 420 miles, but I am using a tow dolly and the Model A is pretty light.  Overall, it will be less strain than towing the 1973 MGB to Boston, and quite a bit less distance.  Still, I decided to go through the tuck and do some service.  She was due for an oil and filter, and I also replaced the air filter, plugs, front brake pads, and coolant, and rotated the tires.  The old spark plugs were still in great shape - for that matter, even the brake pads still had a lot of life left.  However, I'd rather go ahead and take care of things before they cause trouble.  The next item is likely to be the battery - it' still the factory original after 7 years. 
January 5, 2007 - The replacement cover showed up in short order, but weather and other activities kept me from getting it properly fit until today.  This frame has adjustable snaps which had to be repositioned for the new cover, but once I got them in place the cover fit very well.  Quite a bit better than the old cover, which I had to struggle to get on on a cool day and had to forget even trying if to put it back on if I took it off on a cold day.  We had an unusually nice day today - high 50s and sunny - so I also got the vehicles washed. 
December 10, 2007 - I'd let the truck go further than usual between changes - almost 7,000 miles (Bad Bob!), but the oil was still in good shape and right up to the level.  I got a new soft tonneau, but the cover was too small to snap - that's the issue I had with the 6+ year-old tonneau I am replacing!.  The company is sending me a new cover - if it doesn't fit, I'll have to send the whole kit back for a refund and try something else.
December 3, 2007 - The truck had an uneventful year.  The only thing I've done other than gas is replace the tailgate handle (for the second time) a couple of weeks ago, and tonight I had to replace the third brake light bulb.  Not bad for 56K miles and 6 years.  She still runs, drives, and looks like new.  With the house work and the Sonata currently in the body shop, the truck is getting a lot more use than usual.  She's due for state inspection this month, and an oil change.
January 24, 2007 - Nothing new to report, other than what appears to be a gain in mileage from the new tires.  I started driving the truck to work the past two weeks, and noted that the mixed driving number was just over 23 mpg!  That is surprising, given previous figures of 19 mpg.  In any case, the truck continues to be a great vehicle - reliable and nice to drive.
November 11, 2006 - I had an unpleasant surprise this past Sunday - I went into a store, and when I came out the left rear tire had gone flat.  Luckily, the spare (which I haven't checked since I bought the Mazda in 2001) was good, and I stopped by to have the tire fixed.  Turns out the Goodyear Wrangler, which has always had correct air pressure, never been overloaded, and had plenty of tread left, had dry-rotted and split open on the inside sidewall!  At least it popped in the parking lot, rather than the last time I used it - pulling the 1950 Jeepster back from North Carolina.  The next unpleasant surprise came when I found out how much a good 235/765 R 15 LT tire is.  So much for ordering Jeepster parts this month!  After the poor performance of the Goodyears, I opted to spend $20 per tire more and get Michelins.  The white letters look snazzy, and the truck rides and drives a little better.  When I wrote the tire purchase in the truck's service log, I noted that I've driven it only 4,000 since October 2005!   I plan to give her some more exercise this year.
April 3, 2006 - With well over a hundred cars in my past, this silver 2002 Mazda B3000 Dual Sport pickup truck is only the second one I purchased new.  The first was a dark green 2001 Mazda (below right) that lived less than 6 months and 5,000 miles before getting T-boned by a 1984 Buick going about 50 mph (below left).  The green truck was a 5-speed that I bought after a lot of hard looking and test drives.  Mazda trucks are Ford Rangers with slightly upscale trim.  Curiously, they sell for quite a bit less than the Ford version despite being identical except for grilles and taillights.  As an example, a 2001 Ranger with not quite as many options as the Mazda was $20,000, where the nicer Mazda was under $16,000!   The fit and finish are excellent, and it is very solid feeling. 

The solidity got tested by the afore-mentioned Buick in October of 2001 up on Skyline Drive.  Thanks to the 4x4 suspension, the truck sits higher than usual - I went airborne and did a full 360-degree rotation sideways, landing back on my wheels in a parking lot next to the road.  The glass blew out, air bags went off, and I wasn't sure if I was going to live.  Happily, I got out without a scratch, though there wasn't a straight body panel left on the truck.  The insurance company, no doubt grateful to be spared medical expenses, paid off the truck including my down payment and trade-in.  The dealership, Hampton Mazda, was terrific - I had bought the 2001 as part of a year-end-clearance deal, but they sold me the 2002 hot off the delivery truck for the same price.  And the 2002 had an automatic transmission and the bed extender! 

I have been very happy with the Mazda - it gets good mileage, rides comfortably on long trips, and I have towed an MGB from Virginia to Boston with it. It has about 46K miles on it now, and after a polish and wax, still looks brand new.  I have done nothing to it but change the oil and rotate the tires - can't ask for better service than that!

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