Jaystar33

Hey guys,

If you look at my previous threads you'll see I've had quite a lot of issues with my car. Multiple engine swaps, fuel pump leak, and body damage to the undercarriage from being an idiot and drifting without much experience. My ******* right door handle popped off because some girl pulled on it too hard and it popped off.

Current engine has around 70k on it and I want to keep my car so badly but I might have to let it go. I am bringing it to *** Mazda to have a Rotary engine specialist look at it. The car battery is dead for one so I have tried jumping it with a different car to start it and I can literally feel the engine trying so hard to start up but it just wont start and my dials on the dashboard fling everywhere with every single warning signal I can think of on the dashboard popping up.

I'm literally broke and don't know what to do at this point. What I am HOPING for is that the recall on the O rings on the fuel pump is what might be causing this issue and they can fix it for free. However, it could be an issue with the alternator and fuel pump itself (which I've also had to replace). I get a strong smell of gasoline when attempting to start the car. Even if they do replace that though and it's the cause, the car needs all new tires, a new door handle, a new undercarriage, and a new grill.

I am going to try and work like 80 hours a week between 2 jobs so I can afford this **** but I'm gonna be getting paid garbage because I am only 20 y/o and don't make too much as a server. I also have to get my sr44 before I can even drive again due to a DUI.

I just wanted some opinions from some experienced owners and such as to what might be causing this nightmare for me. I miss my car so much and the town I live in is very rural so I have to bike far to get to work and other such things.

I am going to have it towed to Mazda on Saturday but I wanted some opinions from you guys first before I end up getting ripped off or them saying I need a new engine. This would be the 3rd engine swap I've had too.

Someone please give me some advice if you can! I love my car so much and want to keep it so badly, I don't wanna sell it or anything. I just wanna stack my money up and fix it now that I am more responsible with my money as I've experienced a lot the last few years. I have had the car since I was 18...

What do I do guys?

ASH8

DON'T Post multiple threads...

As a new member (even though you joined in 2016) YOU MUST have more than 3 posts to access main Forum (about 13 will do, usually leave it a full day/24 hours and you can post in main forum AFTER you qualify), read the new Member Thread.

I don't make the rules, been this way for sometime, I suggest you comment in other threads to increase your post count.

ASH8

As for your issue, I suggest you read a little more here as nobody is going to spoon feed an owner over the net with multiple issues and questionable treatment of car, but you have been straight up with us.

I cant change forum posting rules.

IF you believe you have a fuel leak at fuel pump/tank, it is under the left rear seat.
Is the fuel smell at front of car (engine) or inside of car, usually if the Pump Seal is perished it is inside?
IF you believe a leak is around engine then it 'could' be at main click on connection, and can be potentially a fire hazard.

I think it is best to get the Dealer to look at and just ask them to REPORT on what is wrong IF it is not related to recall, tell them about the Fuel Ring RECALL (so they know you know) and see where it goes from there, Mazda USA is obliged to fix it.....for free.

That may not be all your issues?

Okki-Jakarta

a win win situation for u(if u're passionate about rotary), is to work as an assistant mechanic(or whatever u can get) at a rotary specialist's shop, then u can work and fix ur car, and earn $$$, just my asian 2 cents.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I suggest if you haven't already, start reading
the new owner stickies and troubleshooting threads, and learn how to work on your own car.
You'll always be broke if you rely on the dealership to keep your car running.

Jaystar33

I don't know all too much about working on cars or anything so you really think a mechanic would hire me on as an assistant? :/ That is a really good idea though.

Right now I'm having it towed to Mazda tomorrow but they're pretty backed up so it's going to take awhile for their Rotary expert to get around to diagnosing it.

I really wish I had more knowledge. I don't necessarily have my head in the clouds or anything when it comes to working on cars or anything but I am definitely no mechanic. Do you think they'd even consider something like that?

I would offer to work for free for a smaller shop just to learn but as it is right now between college and work and community service for my charges I just do not have time... One day though, perhaps.

Pretty much the same as I stated above. I will nonetheless look into it. My biggest concern at this point is that it needs a new alternator or something. I'm praying it might have to do with the recall.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

You didn't answer if you read the threads.
What you're talking about could be as simple as a loose battery terminal or ground.
You don't have to be a 'mechanic' to fix many of the problems common to 8s, and they're easier to work on than many other cars.

Jaystar33

But do you really think it could be something THAT simple? I have looked into some of the threads and then I can try and see what kind of diagnostics I can run on it myself. I gotta wait for either my mom or GF to get home to jump it again though. However, despite this, I already have scheduled an appointment to have it towed to Mazda tomorrow. Plus, I'd like to have an opinion from them before I go messing around with my engine.

Once they take a look at it and give me a call back, I will post results. :/

Update: A Mechanic friend of mine is coming to look at it tonight. He also thinks it could be a loose battery term or ground. Will post results.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

There are 2 ways to find out: the cheap way and the expensive way. If you've changed 3 engines in 2 years, my bet is the engines weren't the problem.

Being a mechanic isn't complicated, anyone can hold a wrench. Properly diagnosing the problem is the skill you really want to learn.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Glws.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Read this thread, figure out your symptoms, see what could be causing them.

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...causes-249529/

UnknownJinX

If you want to properly troubleshoot, read through the service manual of the car, which is available for download.

Don't just give it to the dealer to troubleshoot. Sometimes their technicians don't really wtf they are doing.

At least figure out what's actually causing the problem, then tell them what you want them to fix, so instead of "my car doesn't run well", say "replace the fuel pump" or something more specific.

Some colleges offer mechanic training programs as well. I am personally looking to take a program like this later this year.

Grim RX

You can definitely learn to diagnose and fix most of this yourself. You just need to have some basic tools and a basic knowledge of what you are dealing with. Luckily there are a lot of posts in this forum that will help lead you down the right path when troubleshooting. When you friend comes to take a look ask him what he is doing so that you can learn from it. You Can do this.
My father for years would have me fix this or that on his different vehicles completely relying on me after my grandfather died. Finally I told him that I can no longer keep this up and that most of the things he had me doing he could easily do himself. He slowly learned and last time I talked to him he told me that he replaced his timing belt on his vehicle. He is 53 if he can learn to work on a car so can you.