Northern VA RX8s- know any mechanics? I need help :(
 

Anyone in the area can help with my 2005 RX8. Had a leak and it was fixed... Got spark plugs changed twice and my 8 is sounding rough. Because of the leak I asked about my cat going bad the mechanic told me it shouldn't be since my car is almost 75k. I've had it with not being heard because I'm a female and apparently know nothing about cars even though all my information is received from RX8CLUB and its members. I need someone in the area who actually knows rotary to help me figure out what is wrong. Please pm me if you can assist..give advice or know any mechanics that you trust . my 8 is In woodbridge VA right now. Due to the misfiring in cylinder 1 I do not want to drive it. I can have it towed but prefer something in this area.. Not Springfield..Fairfax..Arlington or any of those areas because of distance. Please someone help.

-signed desperate and new to the area :)

What was leaking that you had it fixed?
Can you describe "sounding rough"? Mileage means nothing to the cat converter. It needs to be inspected.

If you have a cel for misfire, you need to ensure that your (all 4 each!) plugs, coils and wires are functioning and in the correct order.
My guess is that those items are going bad, which could be causing your cat converter to go bad.

Yes. So 3 weeks ago I was driving and the car felt like it was pulling. It drove normally right after so I kept driving. Next thing that happened was my 8 really started stuttering. Felt like jerking. I parked her and 30 min later turned her on to drive her home. Longest 15 min ride ever! I had real issues accelerating and the car sounded loud near the drivers side. When I was idle it would shut off... got smoke too...temp gauge did not move once.. The only light I had was CEL. So mechanic decides from hearing the story that I have a leak. CEL is read and I got misfires due to spark plugs. He changes the spark plugs first and then deciders to do to a pressure test to find the leak. So radiator needed placing. Soon after I picked up the 8 I had the same issues begin. Obviously the spark plugs were bad again. Well he decides we will exchange them from advanced auto parts since they probably got burnt out due to the leak. Changes then last night. Before my 8 is even down I hear how loud she sounds. I can't exactly describe the rough sound other than being loud. And it sounds like its underneath my hood. I started hearing a jingling kinda sound from the exhaust..mechanic said it was since the car was running rough it could just be shaking things. I asked him to inspect the cat. He said he did. When I mentioned last night he mentioned it shouldn't go bad until x amount of miles. So I had to explain to him that that isn't the case. Now he suggests coils n wires may be the issue which pisses me off because from the beginning I wanted to buy everything because according to the forum that's what you do. He said not necessary. I specifically asked about the coils and wires again last night before exchanging the spark plugs..his response "they shouldn't be bad". Now he wants to change wires and if I still have my CEL then he wantsbto change coils. I'm pissed that he is piecemealing this job that should have been done at once. So if there is someojenou know or if you can help I prefer a knowledgeable person not someojebwhoe is basing their answer for my 8 on his experience with every shitty car he has dealt with. Hope that explains more the issuesbfrom the beginning until last night. Oh he wanted me to drive it to advanced auto to have the CEL read. I told him absolutely not. The car is going to misfire and I don't want to cause anymore damage without knowing. I know it'll misfire because while idle the RPM goes from 1 and then drops to below 1...sounding like its trying not to shut off

You should hit up Ray lady. Sorry she's broken :(

Northern VA RX8s- know any mechanics? I need help :(
 

Unfortunately your mechanic is not suited for this job, as you're well aware.

It sounds like you know what your car needs (coils and wires. Plugs should still be fine of they're new). Inspect the cat VISUALLY (take it off and check BOTH ends for damage and blockage ).

I do agree with your mechanic that you need to have the CEL read. Though it bothers me that he didn't do that while it was at his shop...

Are there any Mazda dealerships on your area?

blue i have new coils and wires in my garage, they are listed in my part out thread. txt me if ya need them

Your "mechanic" is unqualified.


Call Ray at Malloy Mazda in Woodbridge (if he is still there). I have bought parts from him before, seems like a knowledgable guy who would know a good mechanic in the area. I don't think you need a "rotary mechanic", just someone who is not an idiot and knows how to diagnose issues properly.

That said, if you want to diagnose by parts replacement then start with installing new coils.

He is a friend of my bfs brother. He no longer works out of a shop n works independently. That is why we couldnt read the code while we were there. I understand we need the code read but at this point i would rather contact other people rather then just driving back and forth and him piecemealing one job. the nearest dealership is either Fredericksburg or Arlington. Yes I do need to get the cat inspected... He is saying he did.. I just dont believe him and his statistics about when certain parts go bad

Unfortunately, Malloy Mazda is now Malloy Hyundai. I called to confirm that they would not service an RX8 and they will not. The Ray you may be speaking of is the Ray Dom referred me too in Fredericksburg. I contacted him, but am 41 minutes from him. lmfao at your idiot comment...agreed! Hopefully if he cannot help because of the distance he will suggest a place closer to me.

Ill be searching for your part out thread right now and texting you about them as well because i def. need them. :)

Anybody know where Ray Whitney is working now? Is he still at Malloy Hyundai? If he is somewhere else that takes Mazdas, I'd really like to have him look at my car...

As far as I know - he's a sales rep for BG Products and Crovato (supplying dealers with products). See his LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-whitney-07521b44 I occasionally send him a thank you for all that he did for my purchase in VA-I live in OH).

I heard good things about Brown Mazda (other than the cost of dealer repairs) for wankel rotary work back in 2015.