I took my 8 into the dealer the other day to have the recall done, and to fix whatever else was wrong with the car (the AC didn't work, rough idle). It threw a CEL, so I decided it was about time to have the recall done, anyway.

The service dept called me back yesterday and told me that the engine passed their test, and that the CEL was thrown because of a vac leak. I said, ok, what did you replace to fix it? They said simply reflashing the ECU fixed it. WTF?

My question is how can reflashing the ECU possbily fix a vac leak? Isn't it usually caused by a cracked hose or something like that?

Thanks guys.

More than likely it was code P0456 which is a minor vac leak that they just cleared not really reflashed. Usually this is caused by the gas cap not sealed properly. This is usually the first step that they do, if your cap wasn't seated it will take care of it. If the cap seal gasket is bad, the CEL may come back and a new cap is needed. Happened to me, went back to dealer twice came on again but reset itself, fourth time back to the dealer and they put on a new cap ($45 item from Mazda under warranty it was free, but you can buy a new cap from Pep Boys for less than $15).

SlayerRX8When I first got my 8 I went on a 40+mile high way trip and got a CEL light. They reflashed my 8 per the recall and chenged the gas cap.

Thanks - changed the gas cap and it looks like things are ok now.