MzMedic

Hi guys, I am the proud owner of a 2005 Mazda Rx-8 Shinka.....I love her, but as of late she is killing me. I just had new plugs, coils & wires done by a local mazda mechanic - not a dealership.....I have a feeling he screwed me over on the parts....Could someone please clarify if I list the parts he used....I have done a bit of research on my own - and seems he padded things - CRAP!!!! I should have bought my own parts....Thanks guys!

M

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

And the list?

You have to remember that the shop needs to keep the doors open...so they need to charge you more than you can likely get.them yourself online.

What did they charge you? And what parts did they use? OEM ones will be more than aftermarket knock offs

04Green

iTrader: (1)

what he said

need data

wcs

iTrader: (2)

smh

Killawatts

Coils, plugs, etc. are easy diy items. To avoid this in the future, just do them yourself.

wannawankel

IIRC I paid ~< $500 for Mazda C-type coils, wires, and plugs from Mazmart.com

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

You can get coils plugs and wires from our fun friend Charles at BHR for like $600 shipped and have all the bits! with a great warranty!

MzMedic

Hello....I am attatching the parts list as well as the compression test he did.... Thanks!

MzMedic

I had a new cat installed as well last week because it threw the cat code....I took it to this mechanic, we agreed he would start with the compression test. I did not authorize verbally or written for him to replace the plugs, wires, coils. It's running as bad as ever...bogging on the hills - no power - rough idle and now is throwing the Po296 code for lean trim bank 1 - 02 sensors????????? I have about had it!!!

Loki

iTrader: (1)

That sounds like straight dealer pricing for the coils. The $40 per spark plug is suspicious though, I've never bought them from the dealer, but that price is extreme. They also aren't really sold individually. Did he perhaps charge 4 sets of 4, rather than a single box of 4?

Also what's the justification for the 2.5 hours of labour? The coils and compression test already include labour time it seems, so what's the extra 2.5 hours?

And lastly, were you given a quote of what this was going to cost ahead of time, and did you ask for one? Depending on the laws in your state, the shop is supposed to give you a quote before performing the work.
Well if you didn't authorize the coil replacement, there is really an issue here. But then, why is your signature under the line "title will be held until paid in full"? Don't agree to that :/

And lastly lastly, you might not want to post your full name and signature on the internet like that. Block it out with MS paint or something.

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

Did "Jeff" use a rotary compression tester? Here's what I'm getting at - I can't read those numbers because the normalization looks weird to me, and I've been doing nothing but reading tech **** all day. Everything is plugged back in correctly? Maf isn't damaged or dirty? All connections and grounds good? Do you have ANY way of physically inspecting the cat yourself?

Edit - Actually ignore me, but the Master of Mischief is seriously on to something. I've never seen a bill like that and I've paid my fair share of automotive bills over the years.

MzMedic

Loki, Jeezuz, I just realized that.....How do I delete?....I can photoshop the info out. also, About 100.00 in this state, verbal or written consent is needed - he gave neither, called me to come get the car. Also, he actually wanted me to give him my title....Yeah right Asshat....I am filing a complaint with out attorney general and getting a lawyer....he's not getting another penny from this girl.

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

Just go back into the post and delete the photos/remove them from being embedded.

MzMedic

Celestial....I'm a girl for ****'s sakes....I have no idea of any of that......Miles right now, 124,000....New re-Manned motor was dropped in her at 50k.....I have been nothing short of bent over with this car...

MzMedic

He can take me to small claims all day......I didn't authorize the extra above the compression test, which how the "F" do I know he even performed it correctly....And, he doesn't have the title...I do, it was obvious he had pulled this **** before....I TOLD him I had just spent 570.00 on a new cat not 2 days prior and I was on limited funds.....This guys' ratings on yelp are atrocious.....My bad, I should have checked the d-bag out before I took the car to him. but talked to friends at a local shop - they said he has no stand....He blatantly screwed me.

MzMedic

Appreciate all the input from you all, or not

....I'm riding this one out....I'm going to replace both the 02 sensors, and have the MAF checked.......

Loki

iTrader: (1)

There's no sense in changing both. The 2nd one especially isn't nearly as important as the first. The MAF can be cleaned, but there isn't really much to check, except look at it.

If you want my 2c, that sounds like throwing parts at the problem without proper diagnosis. The MAF and O2 sensors have their own fault codes that are a lot more specific.

Do you want to walk us through what all codes it has thrown and what the actual symptoms are?

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

I agree....you will get bent over again if you don't do due some research We work cheap

MzMedic

Loki.....It threw the code for the Cat.....Now it's throwing P0296.....The Original reason I went to that guy was this.....It boggs on hills, no power....and when I level out from the hills, it idles rough....Died on me tonight coming home - Hard to explain the sound...it's almost like a "flutter" or chirping when i step on it.....Keep in mind, I live in Wash state....Hills - and, I drive 100 miles a day for work to home....The hotter it gets, the crappier she runs....I have kept up on reg maintenance with the dealership where I bought it...Until i moved south of Seattle...Took it to the dealership here for them to change out the rear diff fluid - etc...well they screwed me as well,,,,they charged me 200.00 and never touched it......Yes, they cut me a check when I proved it....Sorry if i'm a bit pissed off....I bought this car with 30k on her...I love her, but am so very tired of not being able to trust people.....

MzMedic

I'm well aware NOW how finicky these cars are....Sorta like me as a female...lol....I've done a lot of research trying to figure things out - It's hard....My days are 17 hours long by the time i get home at night.....

Loki

iTrader: (1)

I suppose you mean P2096 (because 0296 would mean you have a 12 cylinder, which you don't). That's common with a simple intake leak, are there any loose hoses or obvious gaps in the intake pipe? Remove the engine cover, you should be able to get a good look at it. Could be a 30 second fix Your flutter noise could be that as well. A mechanic (any mechanic worth his salt) should be able to confirm/deny this by hooking up a scan tool and looking at the fuel trim at idle. If it's higher than 10, you've found part of your problem.

MzMedic

Thanks Loki......Will take it to the non-mazda mechanic whom has done stuff for me in the past....He said the same thing this last week.....Thanks for your help....Much appreciated.....:D

LB2739

You would be best off taking your time and talking with people here before you go to a shop with a mechanic that hasn't even seen a rotary in his life. You would be surprised by how many issues could be fixed yourself with a few questions and a cheap tool box. If you just take it to a random shop you will pay but not to get it fixed only to have parts thrown at it.

I wouldnt really say these cars a finicky.

Best thing you can do for yourself is get a cheap obdii reader and post the codes. That will give you a starting point of what to look for.

These cars are not to bad on repairs if you do it yourself or pay a friend a case beers to help.
If you do take it to a shop take it to a mazda shop that at the least should have someone trained on 8's.

MzMedic

LB2739......This guy races Mazdas......He actually drives an RX8 everyday. That's why I went to him, he's the only person close to where I live besides a dealership. I don't work on cars, I'm a girl. I'm smart enough to do basic maintenance, but beyond that - Not so much. i posted the code above P2096. Before that - it threw a Cat code.

wannawankel

I bought the Mazda C coils and such b/c by 2010 Gt is still under engine warranty. I would rather have gone with the BHR but wanted to keep it stock under warranty