RiderX8

Looking for a place to take my rx8 to be serviced, the engine light is on and it's hard starting and sometimes wont turn back on if I stop for gas I need to wait 15 minutes before I try to start it again. I live in downtown Vancouver so anything around Van would be great, just trying to avoid taking it to mazda as they charge me an arm n a leg lol. If anyone knows a good mechanic with decent rates that knows rx8's thoroughly would appreciate the input thanks.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Complete history of your car will help.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Sigh.

A) There is a Canadian subforum for regional specific topics.

B) We can diagnose nearly every problem here, provided you give us all the information

C) There is a troubleshooting subforum if you are just seeking help from our collective knowledge.

D) There are very very very few "RX-8 mechanics" in the world in the way you mean it. Mazda Certified Techs are the closest to that, followed by a tiny handful of shops that have taken the RX-8 in under their wing along with previous RX-7s or other quirky sports cars

E) If the CEL is on, GET IT READ! We need to know that code. It could be anything from "Your gas cap is loose" to "your car is on fire".

F) All of that being said, it is almost assuredly low compression on the engine. Hot start problems inevitably lead to low compression.

Being that it's your first post, you may not be aware of the need for regular ignition maintenance (coils, plugs, wires) that are easily done by yourself with simple tools for 1/3rd or less cost than Mazda will charge you, as well as the nearly free decarb, MAF cleaning, e-shaft sensor cleaning, etc...


I may move this to Canada or Troubleshooting subforum, depending on the direction of responses...

RiderX8

Thanks for the input. unfortunately im a girl with not much knowledge of my car or any car for that matter. all i know is things go wrong on a regular basis and i pay a lot of money to fix it lol. the symptoms seem to be the same as when my O2 sensors needed to be replaced. should i just take it to a regular mechanic to get a code?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

For getting the code, you have a few choices:
1) Take it to a dealer and get charged their diagnostics fee (usually $85 in the US, not sure about normal Canadian charges)
2) Take it to another shop and get charged their diagnostics fee (usually less than a dealer, but not by much)
3) Go to an auto-parts store that advertises free code reading, and get charged nothing
4) Go to an auto-parts store and purchase a code reader for less than the dealer or the shop would charge you. One time cost that makes it so you never have to pay to have a code read again, in any car.

And "just because you are a girl" isn't a very good reason to not learn how to do something Especially when it is something that is educational, saves you lots of time and money in the long run, makes you much more appealing to guys, and you can hold your own against any guy that doesn't think you know any better "just because you are a girl"...

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

That's a "WIN" right there.

man, u know how embarrassing it was when couple years ago, I was trying to pick up my girl after work, I parked right after this Hyundai Turburon and wait, and I saw my girl walking towards my direction, but then she opened the door of the Turburon and sit in, and 5 seconds later she pop back out and like wtf and saw that I was right behind (I was full of WTF too), got into my car, then I ask

wow, really?
- well, both cars look alike

*facepalm*

so yeah, if u know more about cars, ur bf will love you (if you're already married, your husband will be MAD happy, trust me on that one )

RiderX8

ya im always open to learning about my car or anything for that matter. I was just told that I can buy those code readers today i'm gonna head out tmrw n grab one

milkis

this city's not too friendly with RX8.
not many around & dealers are awful. they have no knowledge on rotary.
think i heard there's a group of RX7 mechanics in north van.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

I have had good luck with Wolfe Mazda in Langley....Ed and Ricki are the guys that have a clue about the RX-8 ( Mark is service Manager...good guy)

There are a couple of garages in NV that deal with rotaries. Staff Auto is one

If you are having engine problems and still under the 8yr/160K warranty the dealer is the place to go

milkis

wolfe mazda in vancouver on the other hand, however, was horrible.
charging my sister $400 per tire on her protege ($200 actual cost)
they told me i had 20% left on my front brake pads 3 years ago and told me they need to be replaced.
i didn't believe. well i still have 5mm left 3 1\2 years after.
they just couldn't fix a single damn thing! not even a little squeaky noise.
it's now destination mazda. wonder why...

Slamm

I have had my 2007 serviced at Langley Mazda since new, and would recommend them as well.

cpenner

I'm about to head into Langley Mazda as well. I've been thinking I should get a compression test...

nabatron

Hey guys and girls we got a Vancouver RX8 Club on facebook if you guys want to join and ask the locals on trouble shooting they/we are more then welcome on helping out. We got about 64 members on there who could help out with what shops/dealers to go to...

3135canada

Hey, I live in Van too and had a an exact same issue with my 8(2005 AT with 120k) until i switched the starter. Bought a brand new one off ebay for ~$250 and took me 20 min to change. Now the only problem remaining is the total power loss after a commute lasting longer than an hour.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Moving this over to the Canada forum as that is the direction it's headed...

rx_214

Staff Auto would be the #1 recommendation in the Greater Vancouver area.

Eunos Automotive, which is also in North Van.
ForceFed, they're over by Abbotsford.

And there are many other smaller shops around, but these three are the most well known.