o/t Tintop throttle goes stiff as engine warms up

[bstark]

I'm guessing this is something to do with some cold running mechanism, but I haven't experienced it before.

 

Car is a 2006 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0.

 

Symptom is that as the temperature gauge gets close to the normal running temp (so I'm guessing close to where the thermostat would open) the throttle gets very stiff on a light opening, to the point where it is impossible to drive smoothly in traffic.

 

Then once the engine is at normal, the problem goes away. This is sometimes accompanied by some odd noises from the engine bay, as if someone is rolling a couple of marbles around . It's worse in cold weather as the engine takes longer to warm and the stiff throttle period lasts longer.

 

Any ideas?

 

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Freelance Mazda near Luton Arches in Chatham are your friends Bob.

 

Labour rate £30/hour, as opposed to £110 for Mazda main stealers !!!!

 

A couple of good guys with many years Mazda experience.

[bstark]

That's well worth knowing - thanks for that

 

About to tackle the rear pads myself having had first hand experience of our local dealer...