Hi everyone,

I don't have the exact details or know what VIN range is affected, but I took my '8 to City Mazda in Adelaide today to have the engine mounts looked at and when I came back early this arvo to pick up the car they said that I couldn't have the car back as there is a new Safety Recall that had just appeared in the system as of today.

Apparently it is something to do with the sparkplugs???? They weren't entirely sure of the details and didn't have the parts to deal with it yet, but there is a new recall nonetheless.

It's going in Monday for whatever the recall is for (I managed to convince them to let me have the car back), I'll post more info then if someone doesn't beat me to it.

Cheers.

Ooh sounds mysterious!

Did they give you any details?

not really, other than saying it was something to do with the sparkplugs (which is a strange thing to have a safety recall for IMHO). I wish I had asked more questions, but they were in a flat spin trying to decide whether to give me my car back or give me a loan car, I got mine back, made the monday booking and left...

in the last 30 days there are no official recalls for mazda http://www.recalls.gov.au/last_30_days.php

In fact there is still only 2 recall against the rx-8 http://www.recalls.gov.au/search_recall_namesearch.php?product_name=rx-8&Submit2=Submit
http://www.recalls.gov.au/search_recall_namesearch.php?product_name=rx%20-%208&Submit2=Submit

Hey guys

I just got off the phone to service guy at the Mazda dealership I go to

Yes there is a recall out, has been out for past few days.

Its not major.

Similar to last year when we had the sparkplugs upgrade etc

Basically recall is to check and make the car start easier.

so they are looking at the following:

a) cleaning the throttle

b) checking the computer, and

c) changing the sparkplugs

that is all.. not something to really be alarmed for.

I already had a service booked for next week and the service guy said they will look at my car then.

Guys,

OK I have just spoken to Mazda. its not a safety recall its a "Hard Start issue". They basically change PCM software, replace leading plugs and clean the throttle body.

lol arent u people lucky

we cared enough we rang up our dealerships ;)

I had this done here in NZ last week .
All they did with mine is reflashed the ECU - already had the new spark plugs .
Have not noticed anything diferent with the car since .

Yeah they did say that if you already had the new leading plugs they wouldnt do it again. Also, the throttle body cleaning would only be noticed if you had a particularly dirty one and to me that would indicate poor service as they should be cleaning it out regularly anyway. But thats just me;)

I've just had my sparkplugs pulled out to check for build up. :rollingla Looks super clean... must be the high revs during the last cruise blowing out all the carbon.

I guess people have fouled plugs from all those granny driving that people do to save fuel.

Perhaps all that saying about redline a day keeps the carbon away works afterall! :eek:

Well there you go... thanks for the info guys! :)

Guys,

OK I have just spoken to Mazda. its not a safety recall its a "Hard Start issue". They basically change PCM software, replace leading plugs and clean the throttle body.
That has been around during the start motor upgrade years.

Don't think it is anything new. I guess they put some colder plugs to your car just to avoid hard starting, saving them towing your car due to flooding.

If you due for a change, why not?

Actually, it's a problem that I've noticed is more evident with the NEW sparks that have been installed ... I'm finding that I'm sitting there turning the engine a lot longer in the mornings than I was with the old plugs.

I thought it was me premixing 50-100mL of 2 stroke in my petrol tank, but it can't be because i've been pre mixing for ages!

Hang on...

What kind of new plug they are putting on....

From past experience, they used to have NGK 7 leading and NGK 9 trailing.
Then during the starter motor change for 03/04 models, they swap to 6 leading, 9 trailing.

They only upgrade the 03/04 owners who complained. I suspect they are going to get all cars to change it to 6 leading...

To my other experience using colder plugs (FYI I use NGK 9 leading and NGK 10 trailing). The plugs will have build up much quicker.

I think..... that is why.

I want my throttle body cleaned though, my car is not starting as it is used to be.

Yes there is a minor recall about updating the ECU program and change spark plug, and I will bring my car back to Mazda today. My 06' rx8 get a bit rough idling and they say this may help to solve the problem, but no idea what exact plugs they are going to put into my car. Let see what's different later this afternoon.

I complained about hard starting a year or so ago and they replaced the starter motor, battery and plugs, no questions asked.

Since then it starts instantly and is still good. Not sure why yours wouldn't be doing so Taka. Perhaps it is the throttle body on yours?

Sounds like the dealers are getting more complaints as some of the earlier cars get older and Mazda are finally making this more of an official issue.

Program upgraded and spark plugs changed to a hotter one. Unlike the program update for last few times, this time I can feel the car smoother, easier to start, easier and happier to rev. Thottle respond is better at low rev and easier to pull up to higher rev. Mazda seems worked quite a bit on the fuel map in this upgrade. However, rough idle didn't improve.

Anyone else has done the plugs and program update?

I'll be having it done on Tuesday. As im booked for service, and when I rang to ask about the recall they said they'll do everything durin service.

I also look forward to hearing Mazda whinge about them having problems puttin my car up on hoist lol

Mazda seems worked quite a bit on the fuel map in this upgrade.

The flash has changed every 3 months since the car is first launched and back than some people put on CAN scanner and even on dyno but no difference in power.

I doubt every much they are giving up any kW on this one. Clean plug works the wonder sometimes.

For people who are not sure what hotter or colder plugs are all about.

I don't do those :icon_bs: , coz I am not capable.

So RP did. :evil_laug

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=53327

Looks like I gotta call my little bro and tell him to take mah car to the dealership! Free work always rules. Can someone get more technical info on the recall for me though? Like a recall number or official name or something, I don't want to send him on a wild goose chase.

Looks like Max will be going back to the dealer. Thanks for the heads up NT. Mine has been a bit reticent to start lately too....and a bit more chunky on idle.....as he's nearly up to 30,000kms I think it;s a good time for a check! Will be interesting to see how the dealers in various states cope with this one. Just for the record I don't trust City...but that's me.

Looks like Max will be going back to the dealer. Thanks for the heads up NT. Mine has been a bit reticent to start lately too....and a bit more chunky on idle.....as he's nearly up to 30,000kms I think it;s a good time for a check! Will be interesting to see how the dealers in various states cope with this one. Just for the record I don't trust City...but that's me.

Who's your dealer then RC? (That sounds a bit dodgey :Eyecrazy: hehe)

P.S. We should go for a cruise sometime soon!!!

The moral of this thread is there are actual differences between a recall and a tsb

I had this done here in NZ last week .
All they did with mine is reflashed the ECU - already had the new spark plugs .
Have not noticed anything diferent with the car since .

Same here.

Just wish they'd done the plugs a while ago when I got the newer ones as a precautionary anti-flodd exercise - then I wouldn't have had to pay for them. :)

The moral of this thread is there are actual differences between a recall and a tsb
Agree... I don't see the safety in this

i just contacted my local mazda dealer, he told me that there is no recall on the car and any starter motor issues occur in the first 10,000kms

seems odd for him to tell me this after you guys have gotten a recall and the starter motor n plugs fixed

My (NZ) letter did indicate that "I owned an imported..." RX8 so maybe they're a little selective about who they send letters out to?

I dont get the 10,000k bit!. There was an issue with flooding and hard starts on pre 2005 models which resulted in a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) requiring replacement of the battery and starter motor and possibly plugs. This issue at hand is a TSB asking to replace the Leading plugs to hotter plugs and updating the ECU software.

There is a difference between a recall and a TSB. A recall is a safety issue such as the faulty Lower Control Arm and Heat Shield recalls seen on the RX-8.

A TSB is a Mazda initiative to educate service managers and technicians about known issues and how to deal with them.

My car was in the shop today for a rattle in the door (have to wait for parts) and they did the TSB check as well.

Plugs were okay and the firmware was updated (no noticeable difference in the driving TBH).

Yup my 60000kms service just got real cheap :ylsuper: i paid $400 ish for the service and got free plugs under warranty - nice :rock:
Unfortunately they didn't do the front brakes so i've gotta go back tomorrow for that :Eyecrazy:

Who's your dealer then RC? (That sounds a bit dodgey :Eyecrazy: hehe)

P.S. We should go for a cruise sometime soon!!!


Check your PM......re dealership etc

Sue would be up for a cruise..

My mazda dealer decided to sms me today remind me tomorrow im gettin service and recall work done.

will keep you all posted :)

yey i get a mazda 3 for the day lol

mps?

you know my number?

i got a white mazda 6 wagon

feel like im missing 5 kids in the back

i got a white mazda 6 wagon

feel like im missing 5 kids in the back

They only come in auto too :spank: . That's why we went the sedan.

thank god its auto

who would wanna drive a manual wagon lol i feel like im driving a tank

actually dave its an ACTIVEMATIC hahahahahaha

thank god its auto

who would wanna drive a manual wagon lol i feel like im driving a tank

actually dave its an ACTIVEMATIC hahahahahaha

:cwm27: Throw it into some corners. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

It's against my religion to own an auto 4 cylinder car. Anything less than 6 cylinders just has to be manual.

im glad i didnt get an auto mazda3 tho. they always try to give me something different, even if it means just a different colour hahaha im such a pain ;) really should have harrassed em to let me have mps6 for the day. but i not really in mood for it lol

dad finaly got his 929 back from insurance panel job - so bloody shit lol get this, the left hand side of the car was sparkling, tyres were so shiny etc. right hand side was dirty and tyres were horrid LOL inside the car they left some greasy marks...... bloody insurance jobs. hence why i kicked a fuss and wanted my panel beater to do my car when i had the accident. AAMI doesnt give you the choice of repairer. Justcars makes u get 2 quotes, so lucky they chose my panel beater. Now with shannons i get choice of repairer. phewwww.

to top it off, since i think its been close to 3 months its taken them to fix, dads battery kept going flat, and we got new 1 put in yesterday. nice to c they didnt drive it lol

OK, I had my 'recall' done today, although on the invoice they are calling it "Carry out hard starting recall as per bulletin NS029/07"

So I'm not sure if its a TSB or a safety recall now!

In anycase, leading spark plugs were changed, PCM reflashed, they performed an "idle reclean" and cleaned the throttle body. The car feels the same to drive power wise but I'm now idling at 1000RPM instead of the mark below 1000RPM (750RPM?)

The only other thing I noticed was a smooth idle and no clunking and other noises related to my cracked engine mount. :D

So I'm a happy '8' owner again! :)