RX GR8T

Ok my first post goes like this..I bought my winning blue RX8 on Oct.12 after selling my wife on the fact that indeed our kids (9) and (2) will fit in the back..for now. Anyways I bought a auto (ouch) so we can split the driving as I commute 75 miles a day. The car was great! Turned a lot of heads and even impressed me with it's pick-up.
So we go on vacation (Cabo) and when we get back my baby is in the garage just begging me to drive it. So zoom zoom I go. Next morning my wife had left for work in it and I see a small drop of coolent in the garage floor. As I looked closer I began to see more small drops of coolent only they were older and more dried up. Hmmmm so I make a call to my dealer last monday and they can't fit me in until Nov. 10 so I call another dealer and they get me in today (friday). I drive off in my Honda Civic wait for the call. 10:00 am I get "the call" "Um Mr. Campbell I have some bad news." "Ok fire away" I say thinking they need it over night (I wish). "Mr.Campbell you are going to need a NEW engine." He said the seals are bad in the engine and the coolent is leaking from there. Car has 1,200 miles. Min 2 weeks to get motor and fix.
I will make the first payment on this thing with a freaking Honda in the garage. Bull!! Here's my list of questions and/or thought's. Would appreacite any feedback..
1. Any chance on Mazda stepping up and extending the warranty?
2. Who and How do I get in contact with "the one" who can decide on this issue?
3. I will be the ginnie pig for some tech to install their first RX8 motor.
4. Dealer said the car will be sitting outside the entire time it is there ( 2 weeks).

Thanks for the help!

Magnesium

1. Much doubt as to extending the warranty.
2. Call MNAO if you need additional info or have additional questions.
3. It will take longer for that person to get the engine in, but it will be fine.
4. Get a car cover.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

RX GR8T

Magnesium,
thanks I just hope this will be the only issue I have.. I'm going to speak with the service tech who is the RX7 specialist in Arizona and hope he is helpful.

miata2rx8

I got my engine replaced- took about 2.5 weeks. New engine is faster and has better gas mileage. Sorry to hear about this- sounds like a few engines are getting replaced. While mine was being replaced, I tried to think of another car I would like, and there is no other. I love this car in spite of issues.

ectomort

My wife noticed last week that my RX-8 is leaking coolant as well. I have about 4500 miles on it. I made an appointment with my dealer to have it looked at tomorrow.

RX-GR8

it seems like this issue is becoming more and more prevalent.

94se7en

I would ask the dealer to supply you with an RX-8 loaner car and a car cover for your 8 while it is awaiting its transplant.

If the dealer refuses, I would take the issue up with MNAO. They seem to be fairly helpful when it comes to major RX-8 issues like this.

Mike

ectomort

I had the same idea. If it turns out I need a new engine, there's no way I'm going to be driving an econobox while my hitherto pampered car bakes neglected in the sun.

wahoo

Heh, this quote can look bad when taken out of context.

Nubo

Are they sending the old engine back to Japan?

RX-8 friend

The coolant can leak through the bolts holding the assembly together. Different "O" rings than the famous failing ones.

BTW, my friends is sitting 150 km away waiting for his replacement engine. We think his is a stationary bearing failure (very rough running - as in "how soon should I run from the explosion" ;-). The engines will be going back to Japan for evaluation.

ectomort

Yes. I was explaining the problem to a coworker at lunch and I think I have a pretty good metaphor: The Renesis is a Big Mac (tm)

rotor housings: two all beef patties
engine end and middle pieces: the buns
coolant passages: toothpicks
engine seals: cheese
rotors: pickles
coolant: special sauce.

This allows me to explain the problem as one of those messy, drippy hamburgers.

WayneOsWorld

I love the analogy!

OK, I just got mine back yesterday after getting the engine replaced (920 miles, coolant leak as first/only symptom). It took 3.5 weeks (OK, the last .5 was to replace a piece of door trim). During that time, the dealer put 80 miles on it in 'test drives'. I don't really begrudge that, although it seems extreme (mostly 'cause the left me with only fumes in my tank).

It sounds/runs great now. I'll report later on fuel economy deltas (it had so far averaged 16.8 mpg for the first 780 miles).

This was the only engine that dealer has replaced, they took considerably longer than their norm (according to the guy who did it), but were quite proud of their work - I think they were simply more careful because it was their first. I was fortunate to get a complete unit - including new (baffles included) oil pan, clutch and even wiring harness.

They also related to me that after everything was put back together and they started it for the first time, it sounded great but the CEL came on. They called home and found out that was to be expected - apparantly they have to reprogram the ECU to understand the engine has been changed, and to expect readings (not sure what those readings are) to be different with a new engine.

I'm nervous, I'll check the garage floor daily, but I am happy to have my baby back!

ectomort

Thanks, waynesworld. I haven't been without my baby for 18 hours and I'm already emotionally weak. Thank Ghod my wife understands. The rental car will surely forgive my antipathy...

I sure hope I don't have to wait 3 weeks (I may be acting like an automotive-codependent.... she hasn't even been diagnosed, yet.)

I've been rather **** about logging my mileage since Day 0, so I'll notice any performance changes objectively and subjectively. Until the leak appeared, I've not had a single solid complaint w/ the car (apparently my "honeymoon" is a two month affair.)

canzoomer

The dealer made arrangements with Enterprize car rentals.
While waiting for my car back I am driving a Jeep Cherokee, loaded. Practical and comfortable for our local climate.

ectomort

It was no surprise when my dealer called this morning to tell me that I am getting a new engine (they said by Friday.) Diagnosis: engine seal failure. I think MNAO has calculated the expected failure rate for engine seals and has a supply of replacement engines on hand.

RX GR8T

My engine is in!! They said a couple of days. Talked to "Bruce " District rep. over at Mazda and he was kind enough to upgrade the civic through Hertz. Only one problem, I got to Hertz late last night and they were out of cars. Even though the asst. Mgr. at Hertz was called and told I would be down. No biggie, I guess, but I will call Bruce back and ask for some sort of compansation for this motor issue. Extended warr. would be nice!
ectomort- Are you going to push the issue and how's your rental?

WayneOsWorld

I guess I got lucky with the rental - it was the dealer's loaded Tribute with 500 miles on it (and their personalized plate).

How do I get in touch with MNAO? I only have a customer service number. I want to ask for an extended warranty (or even a set of fender strakes!).

ectomort

Congrats, RX GR8T.

I bought the extended warranty when I bought my car (and prolly paid too much, I just wanted to get out of the dealership and DRIVE) so I'm not sure what to ask for. Of course, I would like to get some kind of extension or compensation, though. I'm really not looking forward to having to hold back and break in another engine. Wotta royal pain.

As for rental cars, yesterday Enterprise and Marina Mazda (of Capitola CA) put me in a Ford Focus. I swear it almost made me puke. Today, I moaned enough to get an upgrade (Hyundai Elantra) but not it's enough of an upgrade for me to actually be grateful.

I think I'll start a poll to see how many owners have had the coolant leak/engine replace problem.

Kas

I started 1 a few days ago in the performance section. it should probably be in tech not come to think about it..

santino

Hey guys,

sorry to hear about your problems with the 8. I might be jinxing myself by saying that i have had no problems with my 8. But it makes me a little nervous about the problems anyway. What telltale signs are there for the coolant leak other than checking under the car? rough idle? low power? obviously the temperature guage?

thanks for any information, and good luck with the car.


santino

RX GR8T

Santino- I ONLY saw a small droplet of coolant in my garage by chance, my wife was driving it and I happened to look down when I left in the morning. Very small, size of a nickel maybe. car ran gr8t. Idle was fine. Beleive it or not the temp gadge was fine too. That's why I figured it was a small drop from a loose clamp or nut. But I will say on the morning I took it in the radiator light came on and off a few times. That was the first I'd seen it.
On another note I talked to the GURU of RX7's in Arizona today. He is the guy working on my car. This will be the first 8 he has done, but has done several 7's and even had a few old motors sitting around. So he told me about a few things that I found interesting. Spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 or SOONER ( know it's in the manual but here's my point) and they only cost $130.00 EACH!! He said first set is covered under warrenty but after that watch out. He showed me right where it was leaking. Between the housings is a o-ring that sets in there. Mazda told him they believe it is a milling issue. The other info I got made me a little nervous. He said that he has to drop the tranny then the suspension in order to get motor out. But he doesn't have spec's for suspension. I guess he will get from Mazda. At this point I was getting a headache and went to work.

santino

Thanks for the heads up GR8T....

I don't blame you in getting that headache. I have had my share of headaches...I have an FD. Got the motor rebuilt, but now it is stronger than ever. Hopefully your car will do the same thing. After reading this thread, I am constantly checking the underneath my 8. better safe than sorry i guess.

take care

santino

RX GR8T

Well Guys got the car back over the weekend and all seems well. I will be driving it like a old lady for awhile. They put a small nick in pass door that is going to get fixed Tuesday. other than that I things look ok. Only put on 20 miles while it was there. It's nice to have her back. I should hear back from Mazda monday.I'm forcing the extended warranty issue. I'm the first in Arizona to have a motor go bad and I hope that want to "make things right". We will see. Tech said engine went in MUCH easier than the RX&'s do. Didn't have to take apart the suspension either. Wish me luck.