I have a 2005 Mazda3i. I have to replace the crankshaft due to a spun rod bearing and a cracked rod. I am having trouble locating a crankshaft for my car. No junkyard around has one like I really want to use one that has already been used. The dealership is wanting to charge 1650.00 for a new shaft. Please advise if there is another option.

Thanks

 

I wouldn't even think of using a junkyard sourced crankshaft; it's just too risky for such a crucial component.
Consider having your crank rebuilt by a specialist.
The other possibility, viable when compared to a $1650 crank replacement cost, is bite the bullet and go for a swapout of the whole engine.

 

For under $300 a good Auto parts store would have 1

 

Too risky??? Ummm, I've been using cranks from bone yards for over thirty years and can see no rational reason for not using one. Buy a used crank, take it to a machine shop and have it magnafluxed and polished, and throw it in. Simple as that.

 

Sorry oldeng, but I'm with Dale (shipo) on this one.
If I were drag racing the car, I might think otherwise, but then what would I be doing w/an OE cast crank anyways? As a DD a used crank should be just fine, imo too.
Or having yours re-machined for use w/oversized bearings.
Make sure they magnaflux it to check for any stress cracks though.
Oh, and also remember, ptw889 that the Ford Focus used the same 2.0 engine in many cases... certainly the in the early 2000's

 

i wont repeat what Rich (virgin1) and Dale said, its ok as long as you take it to a machine shop and get the necessary work done to it, but what i will say is that yes the focus used the same motor but there are clearances, operations, sensors, and slight dimension sizes that make the 3 very different from the focus, also the MZR and the older duretecs are not the same motors even though they were built by Mazda, but the newer ones just have a different head as far as the motor goes.

 

A junkyard crank that's been taken to a crank shop, miked, magnafluxed, gallery and balance checked ain't no junkyard crank, but what's the $ and comfort difference between going that route vs. the $300 Autoparts store, or having the original crank processed for that matter?
I ran a bearing on a 2003 Corolla (defect in a shell obstructed the connecting rod oil gallery I think), I caught it early and the crank was fine. But the killer wasn't the crank, it was the logistics of getting the piston and rod assembly replaced. Toyota replace all those parts using weight, static, and dynamic balance criteria to match the original hardware on the crankshaft. It took over a month to get the car back. It was a warranty job though and happily we got a loaner to tide us over. The car has since done >60K miles with no sign of it ever having happened.

 

If you think you can find a factory new crank for $300, go for it. Personally I'm betting that $300 is a tad optimistic for a new crank for a Mazda3, regardless of source.