I bought an '04 RX-8 a coupla weeks ago from a tiny used car dealer. I had the presence of mind to check the A/C (even in February) and found it to be NOT working, at all. The used car dealer had me call the local Mazda dealer and they said sure, the A/C is covered under warranty. A week after buying the car in VA, I bring it the local N. Carolina Mazda dealer for a free fix, only to find out that a stone (or some other foreign object kicked up off the road) had punctured the A/C unit from underneath, and that is NOT covered by warranty. $750 later I am trying to get the used car dealer to pay up, but I doubt I'll have much luck.

Just thought I'd warn others about this possible mishap, since the Mazda dealer said they had seen other 8's with A/C units damaged from underneath.

 

Its a KNOWN problem with older RX8.

The A/C Condenser is NOT protected. meaning any tiny rock(or small rock) from the roads can ruin your Condenser with EASY.(and dont forget the oil coolers from the side.)

Newer 8 , as reported by some users, has a "1/2 way condenser mesh protection pre-installed from factory".

After you repaired your A/C Condenser. I suggest you to go ahead and get one of the screen that RB made to protect your "newly installed" condenser to avoid another "damage" Its a small investment, and you can even install it yourself (takes about 2 hours if this is your first time)

http://www.racingbeat.com/resultset....r=SCREEN%20SET

 

How 'new' of RX-8's have this protection?

I'd like to know, and then get details of how to check mine.

 

Thanks, nycgps. Wish I would've known sooner (or been informed of this possibility by the Mazda service rep when I called!!)

At less than $100, the under-guard is money well spent. Thanks for the link- looks fairly simple to install.

PS- I love my 8 so far! had a '79 and a '94 RX7 previously.

 

My RX-8 with a 8/05 build date has the factory installed protection for the lower 1/3 of the a/c condenser. The OEM screen is an improvement over nothing, but some people have reported condensor damage on the upper 2/3's, so I am planning to add additional protection via either RB or Hymee. Oil coolers are still unprotected from the factory. We'll have to check with Bunnygirl or one of the other early recipients to see if Mazda has made further improvements for 2006.

Original thread with pictures of the factory-installed screen:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/mazda-factory-installed-condenser-protection-2005-a-84510/

 

Racing Beat's condenser and two oil cooler screens cost $100 (shipped). I have them but haven't had the time to do the install. FWIW- The A/C condenser + install from the dealer was $777.

 

Has anyone who has had a problem with damage to the condensor or oil cooler had luck getting an insurance company to cover the damage??

 

My AC condensor is currently punctured too. I just spent an hour searching the government database to see if anyone else has this problem.

Well, as far as the government knows, I am the only person with this problem.

And then I searched rx8club and found a lot of people have this problem.

Come on guys!! Speak up! Don't be so shy.

I want to encourage everyone with this problem to report this design defect to the US government web site.

If a few of us report this problem, Mazda looks bad (like they should) and put some real pressure on Mazda to do something about it.

Mazda could make a grill to fix this problem. This makes it a design defect. Mother nature is not an excuse when the fix is so obvious.

Putting your complaints here on rx8club is nice but is ineffectual. Put your complaint onto the government site where the sh(t has a chance to be heard by more people than just the small number of rx8 owners who use rx8club.

The web address for the government complaint site is:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov

I am going to go back and lodge my complaint today. If a few more people join me, we could combine our powers and send a real message to Mazda.

Come on, join me and speak up. We can do this.

 

You cant really say this is a design defect. Just like world trade center, you cant blame the original designer of the building that why didnt he design the building to withstand "plane crash and burning oil which can melt the building" kind of impact ?
(I use this for example cuz I live in NYC, nothing against anybody okie?)

You can say Mazda could've just put a screen that cost maybe 10 bucks to them in the first place. but Its not their job to keep the car running, YOU'RE.

At least they "want to do something about the problem" and put a 1/3 screen on the Condenser. Its not enough but I'll give them credit for that.

I didnt even know my crap was unprotected in the first place (I found this forum after I got my 8) . but hey I got the screen right after I read stuff on here.

So just get the screen and be happy !

(If you're going to get the Mazdaspeed Bumper, dont get the oil Screen, just get the A/C screen alone. cuz the MS bumper has oil cooler screen on it.)

 

Seems like they could do something about the older build model cars though. Like offer an install under warranty to keep the problem from happening to those without the screen?

 

^^ I agree with that..

 

I wonder if my 11/04 build date 2005 model had the fix already?