Newbie with a '04 ...need advice for TSB and local Vancouver service shops
 

Hi. I've lurked here since I got my '04 RX-8. Got it back in January 2006. Previous owner hardly drove it...mileage was at 11K only. That was a good deal with the price. :) Anyways, this morning, it seemed my engine flooded. First I didn't know what it was. I never read about any of the TSBs for the RX-8.

So I had road side assitance tow it down to Wolfe Mazda(I live in Vancouver, BC). I've taken my 8 there before for oil changes. Anyways, after I got a ride home, they phoned me and said there was something wrong with the computer, and the part will come in tomorrow morning. Asked for a courtesy car, but they didn't have anything. :(

So two hours later, they phoned back saying the sparkplugs are flooded. Then said the sparkplugs were installed the wrong way in by someone. Its gonna cost about $250-$300 to fix. After talking to some friends, they got suspicious about it. So I phoned my salesmen from another dealer, where I bought my 8 from(Suburu dealer), and he was surprised about the sparkplugs, and told me I would have not been able to drive the car if they were in wrong.

So I decided to search here for my answers, and saw that the flooded engine was a problem with others too. So I just wanted some advice on how I should go about this, since the Wolfe Mazda's service department wants me to pay for the sparkplugs replacement. Should I print out the TBS for the cranked engine, and take it with me? What if they refuse it? They already started working on it, from what they told me a couple hours ago...

Also, is there any other TBS I need to get done on my 8? I now its one of the earlier ones, since the previous owner bought this Rx-8 back in October 2003. Any help/advice will be most appreciated. Thanks. :)

well the newest recall to detect engine failures comes with two new sparkplugs for free, something sounds fishy.

Welcome, and sorry to hear of your problem.

So, installed wrong? What, the leads went in backwards? :Freak_ani And $300? Were they stripped and now the engine needs a thread repair?

If its the wrong plugs, then ok. But the car should have been exhibiting poor driveability in some way prior. But why would a car with 11000kms have needed new plugs anyways, unless it had the same problems before. If so, it most likely was taken to a Mazda dealer, your dealer should have this info.

Fact is, flooding is common, and if still covered under warranty you shouldn't have to pay for anything.

Hey guys. Heres an update. I phoned Mazda Canada's customer service. I got my name and address updated with my 8's VIN. Also told them about the flooding and they said it should be covered. So I phoned another Mazda dealer afterwards, and told them whats wrong, and they too said it would be covered by warranty.

Then I phoned the shop my 8's at, and asked them again about the problem. The service rep told me the plugs were installed the wrong way. So I told him what Mazda customer service told me, and put me on hold for a few minutes. Then he said the car was ready to pick up. I asked what will it cost, and he told me there would be no cost.

When I got to the dealer to pick up my 8, the service manager brought the invoice and told us we owe them $300 for the work done. He also said he phoned Mazda's customer service, and apparently no customer phoned in today regarding a flooded rx-8. I told the guy that I had my info entered to the VIN. I also showed him the printed out TBS about the engine crank. He told me that doesn't mean anything, and Mazda won't fix it under warranty. Anyways, this argument wasn't going to end anytime soon. So we just payed what we owed. All they did was change the sparkplug and drain the flood.

So did I some how get screwed? Or would I have to pay anyways regarding the flood? And will my 8 still get its engine flooded if I'm not carefull starting it up?

Another thing, since I got my 8 back in January, the brakes have been screaching. We've checked the pads, and theres alot left. I saw the TBS on the brakes.. Will I be able to get them fixed for free? Or will it cost me?

Last thing. I need a recommendation for another Mazda service center. I will not be going back to Wolfe.

Thanks.

He never called, he lied to your face, and you got screwed. I've never flooded my car, but everyone who has, gets it repaired for free, its under the warranty. That's the reason why they had that one flash I believe before to help with the flooding problem, cuz apparently Mazda is spending alot of money repairing, so figured out would save some by trying to prevent it with the flash. Most of the drivers are not educated on how this rotary works, and the special attention it needs, and neither are the people who sell them.

Call Mazda Canada first thing tomorrow, you got screwed.

Wow, which Wolfe dealer? Burnaby or Langley? Heard nothing but good things from Langley.

Here is a dealership review in the lower mainland. It will tell you which one is good or bad. It is a Mazda 3 site.

dealer review

I have been going to Signature Mazda at the Richmond auto mall. I know the reviews are sh!tty on that site but they seem to know the 8 well.

It seems that if one person has a problem they want to boycott that dealership. I went there and dealt with same people that are being slammed on that site with no issues at all.

HTH

Oh I agree with 929, you shouldn't of had to pay a dime. Call them back and state your case.

It seems that you were taken advantage of.

Dealerships should know by now of the 8's common problems. If not, then they shouldn't work on them without finding out if there's something more at hand. In the case of flooding, the dealerships generally have worked with Mazda to make sure the customer doesn't pay for an inherent design flaw, up to a point. You shouldn't have to pay for a flooded car, by most people's thinking.

However, you have paid them. No chance of getting that back, now. Even if you complained to the dealer, the only 'person' who can get that back to you is Mazda Canada. The problem with doing things over the phone, however, is that often you don't have a record - it's a he-said, they-said scenario that you'll probably lose.

Signature Mazda seems to be up to date (or at least, the senior guys are) on the 8's common problems.

you got screwed, get their website address too

This incident happened at the Vancouver Wolfe Mazda. Previously to this current problem, they've given me great service. I am very shocked after what happened. I went in this morning, and felt I was prepared. I even had the TBS printed out. Then the service manager kept telling me I was wrong. I didn't know what else to do, because he wasn't going to back down. So I thought I might as well pay, then try to get reimbursed through Mazda Canada.

Well after this incident, if I have problem with my RX-8, and mazda has done a recall on that problem, how do I go about it to get it fixed properly, and get it covered by my warranty? I know Wolfe didn't properly fix my car, because they told me they just changed the sparkplugs, and de-flooded the engine.

I've sent Mazda Canada an email regarding what happened. I will also phone them again tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice everyones given me. I'll post another update if something good comes about this issue.

Sorry to hear about this ... this should have been covered by the latest recall/flash.

Venksta ... I posted this in another thread here in our Canada section but you might want to take a look at some of the PDFs in the following link. In the recall4206f letter to the owner, it says EXPLICITLY in BOLD letters:
"Your Mazda dealer will reprogram the PCM to include the latest calibration. In addition, the following components will be inspected and repaired or replaced if necessary: spark plugs, engine and catalytic converter. All of these inspections/repairs are carried out FREE OF CHARGE"

Oh there's also a reimbursement form.

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...60&postcount=7

Good luck.

If possible definitly find another dealer to take it to. You should not have had to pay anthing for a flooded engine.

I just got the brakes done on my car about 2 weeks ago at no charge.

I got screwed from another dealer as well so it happens luckily it didn't cost me anything they simply said they had fixed a recalled problem when they didn't. Search through and find a respectable dealer in your area. I have a dealer 5 minutes from my house but because of some bad experiences from other rx8club members i drive an hour to a dealer i know gives excellent treatment. I think its worth the extra time so i don't have future problems.

Also if you have any other problems or questions i am positive that somebody on here has had that problem