silver1.3

has anybody gotten the "N" flash installed to correct the "rattle" around 6k due to the oiling issue stated in the latest TSB. And has it fixed the problem? Im taking my car in tomorrow for this.

snap-on

I installed it on a customers car today but I don't know if he had the issue you decribe.

I was in the shop updating the WDS to 36.1... There are no new files for the Rx-8 on this update.

silver1.3

I have the "rattle" many people have described @6k, and again (though harder to hear b/c of exhaust note) between 7k on up on hard acceleration. Not when the gears arn't enguaged and not when you creep up on the rpm with the car in gear. I have always used 91 octane and have never noticed these noises. And I am VERY aware of ALL my car's sounds. It sound kinda like a slightly loose heat sheild, but i'm not convinced of that. The bulletin pretty much describes whats going on. I do not have any lack of power though.

Im concerned b/c the bulletin talks about not enough oil getting to an oil meterering piece. How much damage could this cause in the long run?

snap-on

Last I heard the metering oil pump (MOP) profile was changed to address a stall/stumble at higher rpm shifts. If the 12 position stepper motor is not in the proper position as commanded by the PCM the result will be a reduction in throttle position/timing and IPW.

I'm not sure your rattle is MOP related?

I wish I had a customer with this issue so I could work this out.

silver1.3

what is "IPW"?

I DO have a stumble @ high RPM shifting! Its like it bogs for a slit second then takes off.

Should I try some octane booster. Maybe Its preignition or somthing. I just don't know enough about rotaries. Piston engines I am familiar with. But the sounds from a rotary a SO foreign to me.

AdictiveRx

I have this problem too! I thought it was from the K&Crap intake but no one answered my posts...It sounds like a gurgling at WOT. Didnt know it was a flash fix.

rkostolni

I definitely have a clearly noticeable loss of power above 6k, I wonder if I should go in and try to get the N-flash.

silver1.3

well, just got back from the dealer witht the "N" flash. It was raining and my office is only a couple block away downtown, so i didn't get a chance to wring it out. I'll keep you posted.

The invoice said there was an error in the code and they reloaded the program:

TSB 01-008/05 I think.

I have had 3 different programs loaded. Hope this one does the trick!

davefzr

Where can we get the latest bullitens from? The Rosenthal site is being updated at the moment and the bullitens are not available..

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...kes_index.html

dmp

It seems my car can't get the latest flash... The service guy says it can only be done if it's ordered by mazda for my specific car.

Go48

If the last 6 digits of your VIN are greater than 135536 you don't need the flash because it already has the latest flash. If the last 6 digits are less than that, tell the service manager you are experiencing a "lack of power and the engine is hard to start" and ask him to apply Service Bulletin No. 01-008/05 to your car. This TSB is partially for those conditions and it instructs the service people to reprogram the PCM with the latest, "N" flash.

However, after saying all that, if you are not experiencing any problems there is really no reason to have the PCM reprogrammed.

dmp

last six are 134106 - He told me the car has the latest flash (dated september 04)...I'll try what you suggest - thanks much for the Bulletin Number!! I have an appointment on the 21st to have that, and the air-bag rattle, etc, looked at.

I'll have to try and start another RX8 to notice if mine is 'hard to start' - It does seem to crank more than my miata did, before firing.

Go48

If you can verify that the PCM was updated in September '04, you are good to go. The update level being installed at that time was "M" (TSB No.01-022/04, dated 6/2/2004). And since that is the same level as "N" you wouldn't need an update. Nothing to gain.

Only question I have is how he determined that your PCM is at that level. Did he access the PCM while it was in the shop? Was this a car he had serviced previously and that information was recorded in their computer? Or is there a sticker under the hood that indicates the PCM was updated? If you are comfortable that he has a valid reason to conclude that the level of the PCM was updated in Sep '04, then you need to do nothing. Otherwise, they can easily connect their WDS (diagnostic tool) to the PCM and verify the level. They should be happy to do that if they're interested in good customer relations.

dmp

I read the VIN to him over the phone and he 'looked it up'. That's about all I know.

Thanks much for your help!

Go48

You're welcome. I guess it's a matter of whether or not you believe him.

snap-on

If he ran the VIN and read the car was updated...why would he lie?

Go48

My comment had to do with whether or not he actually "looked it up". Unless you were standing there while he did it you wouldn't know for sure that he did anything. Why would he "lie"? Well, maybe he was busy and didn't want to be bothered so he just blew him off. Maybe he had 3 other 8's in there at the time doing updates and didn't want another one. Who knows what might have motivated him to lie, if in fact he did, of course.

dmp

This is the 2nd or third time I've been told what flash the car has, actually...when i bought the car I had them 'run the VIN' to check for any updates...and the car seems to make decent power - 187 or so HP...and gets 'close' to estimated fuel economy. No flooding issues (yet). I think the evidence points to the stealership being truthful. Thanks for the heads-up, though, OldGuy.

Go48

Glad to help sonny.

czr

iTrader: (3)

All this recent N flash talk is making me want to get it since my vin falls in the range, but I think my car is fine. Besides, people "feeling" more down low power, I will wait till I get more input from you guys regarding gas mileage, floods, before and after, etc. so keep us informed.

Go48

If you have a good M flash, you don't need the N.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

i have that issue and codes to match. i guess that mazda is working on a fix for the metering pump. the o2 sensor came in, but i dont want to replace it till the oiling issue is solved. just figure it will mess up the o2 sensor again.

where are you?????? pm is good.

beers
john stewart
orlando fl

silver1.3

the paper work said their was a code error in my program before the "N" flash. I have had 3 flash updates (including the "N"). My last flash previous to the "N" was for the false temp code.

Even after the "N" flash I STILL hear some sounds. You know that hissing sound you hear to about 3-4k when the car is under load (I've been told this is the oil metering jets working), Im beginning to believe that the sound I hear at 6k and again @ 7k on up is the metering pump squirting the oil.

Can anyone confirm or deny this thought?

zoom44

finally another person that gets it!! glad to have another person around who can and does answer these flash questions. its hard to keep up when its just me and snap-on. thanks for stepping up go48

Go48

Tee hee! Just playing the parrot.