Basic Information Identification Make: Mazda Model: 323 Year: 1987 Codes Chassis Code: BF Series Introduction Market Position Market Segment: Compact car, economy car Competitive Analysis Key Competitors: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Escort, Volkswagen Golf Key Features Vehicle Design Philosophy: Practical, reliable, fuel-efficient, driver-oriented cockpit Manual Value Proposition: Empowers owners and technicians with factory-level repair knowledge for cost-effective maintenance and repairs. Manual Details Coverage Areas Manual Type: Workshop Service Repair Manual Language: English Format: PDF Download Completeness: Complete Official Factory Service Manual Page Count Estimated Page Count: Hundreds of Pages Manual Coverage Systems Covered Engine: Engine mechanical, engine management, ignition, fuel, cooling, lubrication, emissions control Transmission: Manual transmission, automatic transmission, clutch, driveline Brakes: Hydraulic system, front disc brakes, rear drum brakes, parking brake, ABS (if equipped) Suspension: Front suspension (MacPherson strut), rear suspension (independent or beam axle depending on variant), steering system Electrical: Battery, charging system, starting system, lighting, instrumentation, body electrical, wiring diagrams Body: Body structure, exterior panels, interior trim, doors, windows, seats, HVAC system Wheel Tires: Wheel specifications, tire pressure recommendations, wheel alignment Exhaust System: Exhaust manifold, catalytic converter (if applicable), muffler, pipes, and hanger components. Cooling System: Radiator, fan, water pump, thermostat, hoses, coolant reservoir, and heater core. Lubrication System: Oil pump, oil pan, oil filter, oil galleries, and oil pressure testing. Fuel System: Fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel lines, fuel filter, carburetor or EFI components, idle speed control. Procedures Included Maintenance: Scheduled maintenance, fluid checks and changes, filter replacements, lubrication Repair: Component removal and installation, adjustments, rebuild procedures Diagnostics: Troubleshooting guides, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), testing procedures Specifications: Torque specifications, clearances, tolerances, fluid capacities, electrical specifications Troubleshooting: Step-by-step diagnostic flowcharts for common drivability and electrical issues Engine Timing: Camshaft timing belt inspection, adjustment, and replacement procedures; ignition timing adjustment. Technical Depth Depth: Comprehensive, covering routine maintenance to major overhauls and diagnostics Engine Rebuild: Detailed instructions for engine disassembly, inspection, measurement, and reassembly, including piston ring gap, bearing clearance, and valve guide inspection. Electrical Diagnostics: Comprehensive wiring diagrams with component identification and testing procedures for all electrical circuits. Manual Specifications File Format Digital Format: PDF (Portable Document Format) Print Quality Printability: Printable in its entirety or select pages Binding Type Digital Binding: N/A (Downloadable digital file) Paper Type Digital Paper Simulation: Simulates high-quality workshop manual pages Engine Specifications Primary Engine Engine Code Common: FE Series (e.g., FE3, FE5) Displacement Common: 1.5L (1490 cc) and 1.6L (1597 cc) Configuration Common: Inline-4 cylinder, SOHC Performance Horsepower Range Approx: 70-80 HP (varies by engine variant) Torque Range Approx: 80-90 lb-ft (varies by engine variant) Fuel System Fuel Delivery Common: Carbureted (e.g., 2-barrel) or Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) Fuel Type: Unleaded Gasoline Engine Management Ignition System: Electronic Ignition (Distributor-based) Transmission Standard Transmission Type Standard: 5-speed Manual Transmission Optional Transmission Type Optional: 3-speed or 4-speed Automatic Transmission Features Clutch Type: Single Dry Plate, Diaphragm Spring Transmission Fluid Spec Manual: API GL-4, SAE 75W-90 (check manual for exact spec) Transmission Fluid Spec Automatic: Dexron II or equivalent (check manual for exact spec) Dimensions Exterior Body Styles: 3-door Hatchback, 4-door Sedan, 5-door Hatchback (often called the 'Familia GT-X' or similar) Wheelbase Approx: 98.2 inches (2495 mm) Weights Curb Weight Range Approx: 2100-2400 lbs (950-1090 kg) depending on body style and equipment Safety Features Ratings Crash Test Availability: Limited availability of comprehensive crash test data for this era Active Features Braking System: Front disc brakes, rear drum brakes; optional ABS on some higher trims/markets Passive Features Seatbelts: Front seatbelts, rear seatbelts Body Construction: Unit-body construction with crumple zones Technology Features Infotainment Audio System: Factory AM/FM radio with cassette player, optional CD player on higher trims Climate Control: Manual HVAC system (heater and air conditioning) Driver Assistance Active Safety Features: Limited; primarily focused on mechanical reliability and basic safety structures. Connectivity Connectivity Options: N/A (Pre-OBD-II era, no advanced connectivity) Maintenance Service Intervals Oil Change Interval Approx: Every 3,000-5,000 miles (4,800-8,000 km) or 6 months Air Filter Replacement Interval Approx: Every 15,000-30,000 miles (24,000-48,000 km) Spark Plug Replacement Interval Approx: Every 30,000-60,000 miles (48,000-96,000 km) Fluid Specifications Engine Oil Spec: API SG or SH, SAE 10W-30 or 5W-30 (check manual for seasonal recommendations) Coolant Spec: Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze/coolant (e.g., Mazda FL22 or equivalent) Brake Fluid Spec: DOT 3 or DOT 4 Power Steering Fluid Spec: ATF Dexron II or equivalent (if power steering equipped) Known Issues Common Wear Item: Wear in suspension and steering components (bushings, tie rod ends) Fluid Capacities Engine Oil Capacity Approx: 3.5-4.0 Liters (3.7-4.2 US Quarts) with filter change (varies by engine) Coolant Capacity Approx: 5.5-6.5 Liters (5.8-6.9 US Quarts) (varies by model) Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity Approx: 1.8-2.0 Liters (1.9-2.1 US Quarts) Vehicle History Brand Heritage Mazda Philosophy Era: Focus on affordability, reliability, and driver engagement Model Evolution Third Generation Introduction: The BF generation marked the third iteration of the Mazda...
Step-by-step diagnostic flowcharts for common drivability and electrical issues
Engine Timing:
Camshaft timing belt inspection, adjustment, and replacement procedures; ignition timing adjustment.
Technical Depth
Depth:
Comprehensive, covering routine maintenance to major overhauls and diagnostics
Engine Rebuild:
Detailed instructions for engine disassembly, inspection, measurement, and reassembly, including piston ring gap, bearing clearance, and valve guide inspection.
Electrical Diagnostics:
Comprehensive wiring diagrams with component identification and testing procedures for all electrical circuits.
Manual Specifications
File Format
Digital Format:
PDF (Portable Document Format)
Print Quality
Printability:
Printable in its entirety or select pages
Binding Type
Digital Binding:
N/A (Downloadable digital file)
Paper Type
Digital Paper Simulation:
Simulates high-quality workshop manual pages
Engine Specifications
Primary Engine
Engine Code Common:
FE Series (e.g., FE3, FE5)
Displacement Common:
1.5L (1490 cc) and 1.6L (1597 cc)
Configuration Common:
Inline-4 cylinder, SOHC
Performance
Horsepower Range Approx:
70-80 HP (varies by engine variant)
Torque Range Approx:
80-90 lb-ft (varies by engine variant)
Fuel System
Fuel Delivery Common:
Carbureted (e.g., 2-barrel) or Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Gasoline
Engine Management
Ignition System:
Electronic Ignition (Distributor-based)
Transmission
Standard
Transmission Type Standard:
5-speed Manual Transmission
Optional
Transmission Type Optional:
3-speed or 4-speed Automatic Transmission
Features
Clutch Type:
Single Dry Plate, Diaphragm Spring
Transmission Fluid Spec Manual:
API GL-4, SAE 75W-90 (check manual for exact spec)
Transmission Fluid Spec Automatic:
Dexron II or equivalent (check manual for exact spec)
Dimensions
Exterior
Body Styles:
3-door Hatchback, 4-door Sedan, 5-door Hatchback (often called the 'Familia GT-X' or similar)
Wheelbase Approx:
98.2 inches (2495 mm)
Weights
Curb Weight Range Approx:
2100-2400 lbs (950-1090 kg) depending on body style and equipment
Safety Features
Ratings
Crash Test Availability:
Limited availability of comprehensive crash test data for this era
Active Features
Braking System:
Front disc brakes, rear drum brakes; optional ABS on some higher trims/markets
Passive Features
Seatbelts:
Front seatbelts, rear seatbelts
Body Construction:
Unit-body construction with crumple zones
Technology Features
Infotainment
Audio System:
Factory AM/FM radio with cassette player, optional CD player on higher trims
Climate Control:
Manual HVAC system (heater and air conditioning)
Driver Assistance
Active Safety Features:
Limited; primarily focused on mechanical reliability and basic safety structures.
Connectivity
Connectivity Options:
N/A (Pre-OBD-II era, no advanced connectivity)
Maintenance
Service Intervals
Oil Change Interval Approx:
Every 3,000-5,000 miles (4,800-8,000 km) or 6 months
Air Filter Replacement Interval Approx:
Every 15,000-30,000 miles (24,000-48,000 km)
Spark Plug Replacement Interval Approx:
Every 30,000-60,000 miles (48,000-96,000 km)
Fluid Specifications
Engine Oil Spec:
API SG or SH, SAE 10W-30 or 5W-30 (check manual for seasonal recommendations)
Coolant Spec:
Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze/coolant (e.g., Mazda FL22 or equivalent)
Brake Fluid Spec:
DOT 3 or DOT 4
Power Steering Fluid Spec:
ATF Dexron II or equivalent (if power steering equipped)
Known Issues
Common Wear Item:
Wear in suspension and steering components (bushings, tie rod ends)
Fluid Capacities
Engine Oil Capacity Approx:
3.5-4.0 Liters (3.7-4.2 US Quarts) with filter change (varies by engine)
Coolant Capacity Approx:
5.5-6.5 Liters (5.8-6.9 US Quarts) (varies by model)
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity Approx:
1.8-2.0 Liters (1.9-2.1 US Quarts)
Vehicle History
Brand Heritage
Mazda Philosophy Era:
Focus on affordability, reliability, and driver engagement
Model Evolution
Third Generation Introduction:
The BF generation marked the third iteration of the Mazda 323, introduced for the 1985 model year, with significant updates for 1987.
Design Influence:
Front-wheel drive platform, influenced by Mazda's growing expertise in FWD packaging.
Production
Production Plants:
Mazda plants in Japan
Global Markets:
Sold worldwide under various names (e.g., Mazda Familia, Mazda GLC, Ford Laser in some markets)
Awards & Recognition
Recognitions
Historical Acclaim:
Mazda 323 models often praised for handling, reliability, and value for money in their class during the late 1980s.
Ratings
Consumer Reports Era:
Consistently rated as a reliable choice by consumer automotive publications of the period.
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