renotse

Want to see 9 Service Bulletins issued by Mazda for the RX8 from 9/5/03 - 11/07/03?

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

Most of them seem to be minor in nature.

Zonker04

Thanks! Regarding one of those bulletins, I wonder if people are getting their batteries replaced because they're so wimpy on start-up. (I can't imagine how bad it would be in colder climes.) I have a brand new Optima battery in my garage and I'm seriously thinking of throwing it in the engine bay.

downshift

Hmm.. the MIL service bulletin that was posted on 11/7 sounds fishy. Nothing was said about what the code means. It just went straight to the repair procedures, which basically reprograms the PCM. Any insiders here would care to decode the DTC code and what the reprogram was? Maybe it changes the fuel maps?? :p

jtimbck2

I was wondering about that too. I've had a couple of instances already (and it hasn't been all that cold) when the starter sounded a little weak, like the battery was just barely enough to crank it.

meikeric

The Oil Pan issue is missing from there.. The service guy at my dealer found it under 'tips' not tsbs..

So there are ways to skirt around the tsb count..

I've been driving the Mazda6 loaner almost as long as my RX8 now.. eh..

Buger

Hmm...

P0128 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature
P0456 Evaporative emission control system malfunction

The PCM reprogramming might have to do with the problem that Gord96brg had with slow warmup in cold weather and the weird check engine light that some people are getting.

Chrisbert

Tire pressures are also in the manual, but in kPA instead of lbs. I found that 220kPa when read from the guage of the IMS pump from Mazda does not equate to my fairly accurate digital guage. You need to set it to almost 300kPa on the pump guage to = 32lbs.

RX-MEN-8

I took the one about the Shock Sensor to my dealer today so they would document the problems we all have been having. He entered it in the computer, but there is yet to be an upgrade to be retrofitted to those of us who pre-ordered our cars.. By telling the dealer, it now is down as a problem that has to be adressed. I also told him about the excess heat from the cup holder compartment. (nothing there to improve this problem yet)

silvercloud

I told my dealer about the oil light issue several times and asked him to check into getting an oil pan.
He told me (before the service bulletin was issued) that he could find nothing out about the oil pan issue and he would need to reproduce the problem. It's not easily reproducible however so I didn't leave the car with him.
I asked him to continue to check on the issue with Mazda.
He called 2 weeks later to tell me my oil pan was in.

My philosophy is - make a pest of yourself until they do the right thing. It worked for me.

CraziFuzzy

My oil light came on a few times on a long road trip a couple months ago, long before the service bullitin, but after a couple people had mentioned on here that a new oil pan was out there. So I called my dealer from the road and asked if he could order the new pan, he made some calls and called me back and said that there was indeed a new oil pan part number in the system, so he went ahead and ordered it. Had him switch it out when we got back from the trip (was due for an oil change anyways). Also funny thing is about 2 days after i got my car, my temperature **** broke off, so thye just replaced it with one from another car on the lot. I think it's funny that they have since come out with more reinforced replacement *****... I guess it wasn't just my extreme brute streangth!

markpmm

The oil light is generally a high power issue. When the second cooler is added the engine oil level sensor sees low oil level at highway speeds. If your dealer is waiting for the symtom to duplicate itself he may never do so. Have you dealer order you an updated pan assembly.

The TSB on the p0456 concerns the PBE(pressure based evap) system on your car. This is the system that tests the fuel tank and related plumbing including the cap.

rx8cited

Hello all,

See this thread - for the TPMS Service Bulletin - revised 12/1/2003

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=15974

regards,
rx8cited

Sea Ray

Hi All,
I had the oil light come on today in my loaner car. I was running 65 or so and it would come on and off as I increased speed. I checked it and it was a at the bottom mark. 1 quart put it mid way inbetween the marks, does that sound right? Anyways, it was good that the ligth came on in this instance. This is an early vin# so it may have the 'unfixed' oil pan but this warning was indeed a good thing.

markpmm

All high powers will need this "fix"

Btw.. I'm on union mill rd.

Sea Ray

Hi Markpmm,
Since this is the loaner car, they can fix themselves. but I should have them go ahead and do mine before I pick it up, however they probably won't until the light comes on. Maybe it will start coming on right about the 1st oil change time.

I am in The Country subdivision off of Chrisman Mill Rd, right behind you. I took the ultimate drive today for this car, 68 to Shakertown and back, nice! What color is yours? Mine is Red.

Wanna go to Lousiville to pick up a new one??? I can't wait, like a kid before Christmas.

rx8cited

Hi all,

FYI - One revised TSB and one new one

Revised:
Room Fuse Removal/Installation Caution Issued 10/06/03 - Revised 12/18/03

New:
Differential Oil - Issued 12/18/03

See the usual place:http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ocs/index.html

Happy Holidays ,
rx8cited

labrat1123

You are correct. Had mine in today for an oil change and MIL. Mentioned to them that the oil light had flickered on and off a while back but hadn't happened since and I was aware of a TSB concerning the oil pan, etc. They told me unless they observed the oil light on then no repairs would be made.

BTW - My MIL was for the evaporation issue. MIl was off when I left the dealership. Drove 15 miles home. Then drove 5 miles to the mall. Left the mall and the MIL is back on. Will be calling them about it in the morning.

markpmm

Any respectable dealer has the new pan in stock.

They do NOT have to SEE the light.

They only need you to tell them it comes on.

FYI
01-027/03 2004 RX8 - LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN LEVEL IS NOT LOW
BULLETIN NOTE
This bulletin is being reissued 11-17-2003 to revise the REPAIR PROCEDURE (added step 3) and to correct the part number main cause (delete extra dash).

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2004 RX8

VINS: JM1FE17* *40000000 to 40111043

DESCRIPTION
The low oil level warning light may come on while driving with engine speed 4500 to 4800 RPM and the oil level is within specifications (1/4 above L on the dipstick).

All vehicles within the VIN range should have the oil pan replaced using the following procedure:

REPAIR PROCEDURE
Remove the oil pan.

Disconnect the oil level sensor electrical connector from the side of the oil pan.

Remove the oil pan bolts (22-10mm)

Separate the oil pan from the engine

Install the new oil pan and level sensors assembly.

Clean all silicone sealant, oil and dirt from the engine.

Clean all silicone sealant from the oil pan bolts.

Apply a 2.5 to 6.5mm (0.10 to 0.26in) bead of silicone sealant to the oil pan as shown.



Install the oil pan bolts and torque to 8.8 to 11.8Nm (77.9 to 104.4 inlb).

Connect the oil level sensor electrical connector to the side of the oil pan.

Fill the engine with oil.

Verify Repair.

PART(S) INFORMATION

Part Number

Description

Qty.


N3H8-10-4AXA

Oil pan with oil level sensor

1


8527-77-739

Silicone sealant

1



WARRANTY INFORMATION

Omicron

Nope, that means that Mazda had corrected the problem before your car was made, so you don't need the fix. Most dealers won't do the fix either unless your car falls within the VIN range... they claim their costs against Mazda corporate as recall work, and Mazda won't pay them unless the car worked on under a TSB falls within the range of the recall.

Mitch Strickler

Sorry to disagree, RX-GR8 and labrat 1123, but you don't have to experience an oil light problem to get a new oil pan, if your car has one of the (early) VINs listed by Mazda.
My dealer hadn't read his bulletins, so I showed him a printout from the forum. After a quick reading, he asked me whether I had seen an oil warning light. I directed his attention to the language that says all cars in the VIN range get new oil pans, and he ordered one.
Incidentally, the tech doing my 5,000 mile service thought an oil pump was leaking, so he ordered a new one, which will be installed along with the pan. I hadn't noticed any symptoms; the engine ran fine, and oil consumption was a quart for 3,000+ miles. Anyway, I'm not complaining about what may be an excess of caution. I think techs who realize they don't know much about the Renesis will order new parts just to be safe, and it seems that Mazda will go along, probably for the same reason. That's OK.
Some posts say that the oil pan problem is mainly with the high power engine. Mine's an AT, but it's getting the fix because Mazda didn't distinguish between high and low power in its bulletin. Maybe another example of Mazda playing it safe.

jdl

(Frustrated) to disagree, Mitch, but...

I took the TSB printout to two dealers, pointing out that my VIN is in range -- to no avail. Neither would perform the replacement without verifying the MIL.

Here, at least, it would seem the word has gotten out to the service managers to not perform a fix unless a problem is indicated (by the car). Apparently I need to let the oil get low, then run the engine at ~6k to get the light to set -- something I explained to both service writers (and one assistant service manager) is irresponsible: force the car into problem condition before we fix the problem we already know about! *hmmphfff*

doccable

I took my 8 in about two weeks ago because the MIL came on, after I got it stuck on a patch of ice and caused the ABS to freak out. I was able to reset the MIL on my own, and when I took the car in, I told them what I had done to temporarily reset the MIL, and I also told them that the light had come on several times while on my way to see them, and to please check it out. My VIN falls outside the range, but they did flash the ECU, I haven't seen the MIL on except at start-up. (All of this is covered in another thread)
An interesting note, though... the sevice manager wrote the ticket saying that "the MIL was intermittently coming on." I wonder if you use that kind of wording if they would take a look, and more importantly, take you more seriously. Also, maybe another dealership?
Just my $0.02 :D
-Doccable

S3/P3/E2

Personally, I'd call Mazda North America and file a complaint associated w/ your VIN and that the dealer(s) are refusing to comply with an issued (and re-issued) TSB. A nice polite explanation to them might gain you the service you should be getting in the first place.

RosenthalMazda

I think what's missing here is the fact that the bulletin says the dealer HAS to verify the problem before a fix is warranted.

OTOH, you may run into a cool cat behind the service counter who realizes they still get paid for doing warranty work.


Tommy

Mitch Strickler

Tommy says what's really missing for those of us who said the oil pan replacement is for every low-VIN car, not just those with probems, is that the bulletin says the dealer must verify a problem.
What's missing in your account, Tommy, is the real story. This is another case of Mazda saying one thing, then backing off and saying another. You know, like the fiasco about approving synthetic oil.
What happened is that Mazda said in an 11/14/03 bulletin that all cars up to a certain VIN got new pans. Period. Nothing about defects. Somebody panicked on 11/17, and they issued a new bulletin. It doesn't repeat the section with the promise, or say that it is changing it. Instead, it adds some details about the replacement procedure and then slips in a sentence about a verified customer complaint. Pretty sneaky.
I have no gripe with Mazda waiting for complaints, but they should have said so in the first place. This kind of indecision doesn't give me a lot of confidence in Mazda's service.
I should add that publishing bulletins on the web is a valuable service, and one that I appreciate. Thanks.