park68k

Hi. Recently I have some problem with my car and took it to the dealer in Burlingame, CA. My car was losing significant power that sometimes it's really hard to go up any hills. It also has signs of blue smoke.
initially I was worried that it might need some serious repair work. But after the diagnosis, the dealer said it passed compression test, and need some tuneup.
they said blue smoke came from oil in the air box. Also lack of power is resulted from bad parts as follows.
New Spark plugs
new spark plug wires
new distributor cap ...etc
they said total price would be $1800
I am kinda confused. is this pair price to you?
Also how's the engine warranty works in this situation? mine is 2005 model.
thanks.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

That is a bit on the high side for what we expect from a dealer. $800 to $1,500 is the normal range of their quotes.


HOWEVER....

You can buy the coils, plugs, and wires from local autoparts stores for as low as about $190, and replacing them takes an hour even if you don't know what you are doing. Expect 20,000 to 30,000 miles from the coils and plugs, but most places offer a lifetime warranty on the coils anyway.

If you opt to buy from Mazmart to make sure you get the latest coil revision, this total increases to around $350 (the latest revision coils are more expensive. Expect around 30,000 to 45,000 from the coils, maybe plugs.

Bump your budget to $500, and you can get the BHR ignition, which you won't have to replace the coils again, plugs are probably 30-45k still.


So yes, the dealer is just trying to charge you $1,500+ for an hour of labor. Please do not fall for it.




(Engine warranty is just the engine core warranty, and doesn't apply to the ignition parts, and if your compression is fine, then you are good on your engine)

RotoryVirgin

Buy the parts yourself and put them in. Should run about 250.
Considering the 8 has no distributer I wouldn't ever take it to that dealer again.
You can find a DIY for plugs/leads/coils by searching here

Edit: should have known the forum's resident expert would beat me to it

DMaverickRX8

iTrader: (1)

I bought my plugs and wires both ngk OEM for $83 shipped from eBay. Coils ran an additional $85 so all together $168 shipped. The coils have a 6 year warranty. Diy and save some money and buyother fun stuff

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Be very wary of buying coils from ebay though, we have confirmed that there are sellers on there advertising counterfeit coils as "Mazda OEM". About $25 a coil is about as cheap as you can get legitimate ones, aside from discounts, specials, etc... and these won't be branded Mazda OEM, but BWD, and are the original version of OE coil.

DMaverickRX8

iTrader: (1)

Mine were labeled a nh31xxxx part number and labeled motor king. Should I be worried? No b a or c labeled on them either. Just numbers.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Hmm. At least they weren't labeled "Mazda", but I've never heard of Motor King.

a12chan6el

Hey OP, heed RIWWP's advice and get the part yourself. Plugs, wires and coils are easy to replace. I'm in San Mateo and in your neck of the woods. PM me if you need some help with the installation.

ken-x8

If that was really on the list, keep away from that dealer. Unless they throw in a free power steering fluid flush.

Ken

park68k

Thank you for the replies guys. Looks like I need to buy some parts and install them myself. Or just take it to other generic shop?
I have never done any work on my car though. Do I need any tools for that? Or is there any instructional article or video available?

RotoryVirgin

There's a DIY with pics somewhere around here. It is an easy job. Maybe an hour if you don't know what you are doing.

park68k

Thanks. I will ask more if needed. I will also try to dig up some info on how tos.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Many ways to replace the plugs. Underneath the car, through the driver's front wheel well, or from above. I always had the best success through the driver's wheel well. Easiest, don't have to get under the car, etc...

Do a google search
site:rx8club.com diy coils https://www.google.com/search?q=site...coils&safe=off
Same with plugs and wires.

Really easy.

ken-x8

Yes - you'll need tools. There's a long thread on this site about what tools people have and like. That might be a little intimidating, since folks who've been at it for a long time built it up quite a bit.

I suggest that when you look at the DIYs on the stuff you're going to do you note any particular size sockets and/or extensions. Then go to Sears and browse at their "starter" Craftsman mechanic tool sets. Pick one out, make sure it includes the stuff you need as well as the usual range of sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. Or buy the odd items (probably an extension and/or flex coupling) separately.

One addition I recommend to a basic took kit is a torque wrench. The cheap beam type will do. That's so you don't over tighten things before you get a feel for it.

And you're off! Come back here with any questions or if you get stuck.

Ken

KingAziz

I would definately advise getting a BHR ignition system. it will save you a lot of headache dealing with ignition coils. I have had coils go bad on me, then when i go to replace, they are working fine. In the long run BHR ignition system is the way to go.

DMaverickRX8

iTrader: (1)

I would avoid generic shop also. Work on it yourself. I had a few shops work on mine

I pulled the motor last weekend and had missing bolts ever where

Most places couldn't care less about your ride. Do it yourself and you'll learn more about your car and appreciate it better

gwilliams6

I also endorse the BHR coils and wires. They will last you the life of the car and are very sturdily built with greater resistance to the engine heat from the coils' position atop the engine. They also perform better than OEM.

ls2_funky

Chiming in on this, as I am about to do the ignition work on my 2010 w/ 21-22k on it.

Do you say this in comparison to the OEM stuff needing replaced every 20-30k miles??

Our 8 is driven by my fiance literally around town at a rate of MAYBE 10 miles a day, and she doesn't ever run it high RPM like recommended, which I put to blame for the Ignition components beginning to go bad at 21K... That being said, I'd like to replace the OEM with something that will last longer and spark harder, and I am going to be replacing the stock Cat with a BHR mid-pipe to help prevent too much carbon buildup from being putt-putted around town.

Edit: I see where I missed a comment regarding the BHR coils not needing to be replaced again, So I retract the question regarding their replacement vs OEM.

kaizersosa

The stealership still up to their old tricks !!! lol , u can get the OEM coil and wires, plugs etc from a garage that sells OEM equipment, it does not say mazda on it as Mazda does not make the parts. The parts are usually made by an outside source for mazda, u can save heaps if you do it this way

gwilliams6

The BHR coils give a hotter, higher voltage spark. You will notice a performance difference, especially at higher rpm. And you should get a mile or two better mpg, depending on the overall condition of your engine. The BHR have a heat sink built in, which the oem coils do not, therefore they are more resistant to the constant heat that the coils are subjected to due to their positioning atop the engine. The BHR coils are derived from heavy duty coils from the Yukon SUV and built to take punishment and last.

park68k

ok. it's been a while again. I have been ordering parts and finally got the all parts. After took all advice and tutorials I changed the coil first. And wow It brought my car back to life. I got the power back, and the car runs a lot smoother now.
here are some pics.

Taking apart one at a time.


old and new.


with tools and tutorials.


it's done.




Next stop will be changing spark plugs and wires. I am so glad I asked you guy and did it myself.
The best part is that I saved well over a grand. thanks guys.