Let's hope the revised oil metering ECU flash will provide enough lubrication to ensure engine longevity. I'd hate to have the engine grenade outside of warranty. The public's confidence in the rotary engine is already quite low due to the FD debacle. If Mazda are smart, they will continue to goodwill replace engines way past the powertrain warranty limit. But I'm not too optimistic on that. Right now everything are still hunky dory since nobody had to pay out of pocket to replace an engine yet. But you bet the first guy who have to foot the bill himself will be royally pissed and make a huge stink on the internet. This can't be good for the resale market of the RX-8 a couple years from now.

 

I'm responsible for all the engine replacements in Canada

 

i received my recall letter last week, thursday i believe, did anyone else get a letter?

 

I'm guessing you haven't read this thread you just posted in yet?

 

The service manager at Mountain Mazda in Hamilton told me more automatics than manuals were in need of new engines. He also said it should have been illegal to make the RX-8 with an automatic in the first place... so maybe he's biased.

When I called to book the recall, I asked about a courtesy car (hoping they'd volunteer the CX7) and they said a rental would be provided. It turned out to be an '07 Prowler from Enterprise. At the end of the day I had my car back - washed, vacuumed, topped-up, with new leading spark plugs and the new PCM flash.

I was happy until my centre console cover fell off as I slid it open because the latch was broken. One of the fat mechanics must have leaned on it with all his weight. Now I'm waiting for the part to be delivered, which will hopefully be in a few days so I can still store the car this weekend. The last time Mountain Mazda serviced my car there were grease marks left on the ceiling. If anyone from MM service is reading this, take note you already have 2 strikes.

Has anyone noticed more or less of the rough idle problem with this latest flash? I'm pretty sure mine has become worse.

 

Took the car into Gyro in Toronto this morning. I noticed the work sheet specified: up to $60 dollars in gasoline, exterior wash and interior clean. And (yeah!) COURTESY VEHICLE.
So they walked me over to the rental attached to the service bay and I received, free of charge, with only a credit card imprint for parking tickets: a 2003 burgundy Protege. With a huge spider crack on the windshield and about one litre of gas in the tank. I was in a hurry but got out to make sure they knew about the windshield crack and the smiling dude with the Mazda shirt said "it happened yesterday, don't worry about it." I expect the car will be ready tomorrow so I just put five bucks in the tank. That's all I'll need.

Mercedes recalls put you in better vehicles with the understanding you may one day buy UP. That's why the CX-7 made sense! I understand Mazda Canada is not Mercedes. But I've taken a picture of the busted-windshield-zero gas-COURTESY car for my scrapbook. And if any Gyro customers end up with this wreck...DON'T look at the nice gift I've left in the trunk. (Just kidding, but wouldn't a load of horseshit just make this a better story?)

 

I thought my idle has gotten a little bit smoother since they flashed and replaced plugs.

 

I just brought my car in this morning and I have passed the tests. All I will be getting is some new plugs. Not sure if that is part of the recall or part of the 24'000km check-up, oh well, I'm happy.

 

I got my recall letter and I'm bringing it in on Wednesday...

 

I had to PAY $10 toward my rental. I agree that Mazda have kind of dropped the ball on this one, since this is the perfect opportunity to cross-sell the owners of their flagship vehicle with the plethora of new Mazda products that came out this year. The people who run the recall programs in Canada obviously aren't that marketing saavy.

When Honda finally smarten up and switch to RWD platforms, Mazda will be in serious trouble. They are lucky that Honda are going the way of Toyota and exiting the sports car market.

 

Got the car back today. Reflash, new leading plugs. They filled the tank and washed it. Did a nice job on the interior too (except the Armor-All arrrrgh!).

They also did another recall for a "heat shield" or "heat pad"? Going to have to look that one up. Haven't noticed any drivability difference.

Goodbye purple Protege with the busted windshield!

 

i honestly thought courtesy car is a standard now aday for dealers. Great idea if you ask me, customer can experience the newer model and potentially trade up!! maybe Im just spoiled by my Lexus service, where some guy drives over to my house at a specific time ( as early as 7am!) w/ a courtesy car( and no shitty Toyota.. i've had anything from IS300, ES300 to RX350, GS350.. ), drive mine back to the dealer for service, then come back to my house at the end of the day with my RX330 washed and cleaned.

Hopefully my 8 will be nice and clean when i pick it up. Im actually alittle concerned, dropped my car off at 8am this morning... its 3:50pm now and they havent call me... better not be a new engine in the work...

 

wow, u own a lexus and not a shitty toyota.

 

Nothing against Toyota, they are awesome cars and we almsot bought a 4runner. Just that I think its a good idea they give you a nice courtesy car so you might want to upgrade after driving around for a day. Not like they give you a toyota yaris as a courtesy car.. or in this "thread" case, an older protege..

Anyway.. back to topic

Picked my car up from Kramer today. Only got the flash, no new spark plugs, no engine.. nothing.. they did NOT wash my car and did NOT fill up the tank. Plus they put another ~ 15km on the car... test drive .. maybe.. hopefully. No white glove treatment here

 

Got mine back yesterday; flash, plugs, full wash, gas, rental.

Kudo`s to Mazda, they handled this really well.

 

Mine was done on Wednesday. Passed of course.. New PCM and plugs..

The idle is so much smoother now. I started the car and took a min to read something.. When the car got down to <1k RPM I thought it had stalled on me, it was so smooth. I assume this is due to the new plugs.

 

I think that's the norm in Calgary. I had the recall done. They did the new flash put I didn't need new plugs. They came with the new engine

I do notice that my idle is smoother.

 

Smoother is the best way to sum it up. I kept mine at 5K for a 1/2 minute and I can tell you that there was no vibration at all, just sound. My idle seems a tad higher too. I will also say that it feels more response and climbs more confidently in the higher RPM range.

Now if it can stay that way for the next 400,000 KMS!!!!!

 

QFT!!!

 

Taking my car in next week to Signature Mazda. I asked them for a courtesy car after I read the forum, and they said they'll have one ready for me!

And Signature always washes and vaccuums my car. Every time it's been in, no matter if it was maintenance, oil change, or TSB on the brakes... They've always washed it.

 

I am very dissapointed with my dealer. I just got it back today, since they were unable to overnight some sparkplugs for the car. Anyways, I remembered saying to them I didn't want them to wash my car. When I got to the dealer they didn't wash my car. That was the only good news. The bad news is they put well over 100km for there recall work and they didn't fill up the tank. I feel like my car have been mistreated. I am so sad. I am going to huddle in the corner and cry.

 

I honestly have not noticed any difference after the new plugs/flash. Nothing. Exactly the same idle and engine performance.

 

100km? sounds like someone took your car home with them.

 

100KMS? WHY!!!!!!

Threaten to report them to Mazda H.O. and you will be asking national publications/ to investigate directly with them so their names and the dealership will get all the great publicity that's coming to them.

They better make good... gas, wax, .... helmut wash by the receptionist.....

 

Well it wasn't 100km, it was more like 115km. I don't think they brought it home with them since I drove by one night and saw it parked outside towards the back of the dealership. I am starting to wonder if they might have loaned it out for someone to test drive it because the dealership is the only one in town and the only RX-8 they have is a demo and an automatic. I can't grasp the idea that this recall would require the mechanic to drive my car for such a long distance. Am I over reacting? Should I make them aware of my concern?