GreenRX8

I'm the 2nd owner of an 04 with 75k miles, & the non-mazda dealer that I bought it from said the oil lines rotted causing the engine to blow. Any thoughts on this before I get on the horn with mazda? Think there's any chance of that being covered in the 8 year/100k warranty?

expo1

Be prepared to answer why you continued to drive the car with the oil warning lights on. A major loss of oil such as rotted lines is something that would be noticed.

GreenRX8

I pulled over on the highway & put the spare quart in & it didn't even make it to the next exit. Not sure what else I could have done there, but if there was I'm all ears.

CyberPitz

Turned the car off and called a tow truck would have been my first thought...Driving a rotary with oil like that is just asking for trouble.

CrazyJek

Thanks a bunch mate.

mikebrow74

Read Royal Purple's website on the issue.

http://www.royalpurple.com/faqs-rotary.html

expo1

You have something to think over, the extended warranty covers Internal parts. If Mazda feels the damage was due to an EXTERNAL issue (no oil due to leak) they could deny the claim. You might wish to fix the oil leak before taking it to a dealership.

Lane03

If the warranty for 2009 and 2010 models is also 100,000 miles on the engine, why doesn't it state this on the window sticker or on the mazda website? I would feel better if I could see some documentation of this on the official website or something, as my windows sticker doesn't say anything about 100,000 on the engine...

Mazda RX-8 Warranty

DLASH15

nyc and mike, thanks for the advice. I will do both of the recommendations.

So, I spoke with the dealer today and he informed me of a few things. First, the regional rep denied my claim due to a full synthetic oil. I did also have another oil change that a place used a synth blend but that wasn't a "big" factor. I then called the 1-800 mazda number and spoke with the associate who has been dealing with my claim. I asked for him why in my owners manual it doesn't state to not use synthetic. His response " when the manual was made we were unaware of the affects of synthetic oil to the engine." I then asked him where does it say I cannot use synthetic oil. He responded with "Sir we recommend not using synth oil." I ask him to ensure me that he understands the difference between not recommended and not authorized. I then asked him why I was not informed of this being a legality and he responded with, "we don't have to inform you of anything, you should have called and asked if it was acceptable." hmmm, why would I call corporate when it doesn't seem necessary based from what I read in the manual? I then asked him if I could speak with the person who denied my claim, he responded "I can put in a request but cannot guarantee he will reply to you. They don't have to speak with you." After all this he ensured to inform me that regardless of all this my warranty is still denied and that I can take whatever legal action I want, but I am still denied.

Second, the dealer handed me a paper that was an add-on to the driver's manual. In this manual it says not to use synthetic. No date was given for when this was added. But wait...we don't receive that manual. GARBAGE.

My car has 64k miles on it, this oil change that voided my warranty was done at 50.5k miles. I'm pretty sure if it caused the "said" problem then it should have occurred much earlier.

Also, does anyone believe this falls under the Magnuson-Moss warranty act?

expo1

I do, but the Magnuson-Moss warranty act is just a bunch of words on a piece of paper. To enforce the act you will have to pay for an lawyer. You might want to mention to Mazda that your ready to do so and it would be cost effective to work something out.

You also might have a second option but you would have to pay for the new motor first then go to smalls claims court. In your state the dollar limit for smalls claim is $7,500. If you file a claim name as many people from the dealership as possible. The owner, the GM, Service writer, sales person etc. They might settle just to not have to spend all day in court.

Mazurfer

I could be wrong here, but I don't think it has been extended to the 09/10 models as of yet.

Mazurfer

I'll have to go read the entire act again, but my gut feel is that "no, his exact situation would not be covered under that act".

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

not surprised at all.

some ppl still have no idea they have a rotary engine/designed to burn oil as lube then complained about "losing" engine oil/etc.




For warranty claims, as long as the previous owner did not do something to void it, you should be fine. most dealership might ask you for proof of maintenance, which means something like oil receipts, oil change receipts, etc.

jmc23200

Full synthetic oil will not void the warranty. Call Mazda Corp again and ask them for the documentation that they haver that states Full Synthetic will void your warranty. They do not have such a document. Then reference SSP 67 and SSP 77 which are the documents your engine is covered by. Technically, they do not need to inform you about any changes to the manual they have made. However, they do have to provide you with such information verbally and HARD COPY if requested. When they cannot produce an official copy of this "synthetic oil kills warranty" thing that they speak, insist that

1) You will be filing a complaint at the BBB against the dealer, regional manager and the rep who also misinformed you at Mazda Corp

2) That they will replace your engine

3) You will get the court involved if they continue to provide you with false information so they do not have to provide warranty work ie Fraud


Edit: If you put your case number down with the mazda corp number, I'm sure a few of us would love to call and harass mazda I'm one of them. I just when through a similar situation and I got everything covered in the end

Spirograph

DLASH15, it sucks that they're trying to pull that on you. Give them hell and let us know the results.

jmc23200, would MazdaUSA have any legal grounds to refuse warranty coverage based on using Shell Rotella 15w40 Heavy Duty "diesel oil"?

Lane03

That's what confuses me. Throughout this thread many people have said it applies to the 2009 model, as does this car and driver article, as well as this press release. But nowhere in my 2009 owners manual, window sticker, or on the Mazda website does it say anything about a 100k engine warranty.

jmc23200

My guess would be that Mazda will void your warranty if you tell them you use diesel oil as it is specifically engineered for diesel engines. Just like they void warranty's for full synthetic oil, cold air intakes, exhausts and so on. Whether or not you can convince them to perform the warranty work is another matter.

jmc23200

Also, to the best of my knowledge, SSP 77 is only for models up to 2008. Due to all of the reliability changes made in the 09+ RX8's, it would only make sense for Mazda to wait to extend the warranty. I think Mazda would wait until engine failures start getting called in to extend the warranty as if it does prove to be reliable, there is no need for free work to be handed out.

Edit: All I can seem to find on 09+ RX8 warranties are the Basic: 3yr/36,000 mile and the Drive train: 5yr/60,000 miles.

Anyone have any documentation to offer?

Lane03

See my post above, which is why I am confused...

jmc23200

I know, thats why I asked if anyone has any documentation. I can't seem to find any.

Mazurfer

Bump................just to keep it fresh. I'd like to know this answer even though it doesn't apply to me, but I think you hit it on the head earlier in that they haven't seen enough to warrant it at this stage........given all the changes made.

Lane.........I'd think that you would've gotten something in the mail if this had happened since those of us that bought our cars new and the addresses were on record got the extended warranty paperwork on the earlier models.

mscamp02

iTrader: (3)

I want to get a compression check done just to see where my engine is at but I have a catless midpipe. Do I need to switch back to my OEM cat before I go to the dealership?

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

I would swap back in your cat. That is a good reason to void your warranty

mscamp02

iTrader: (3)

thats what I was thinking but I know I read somewhere on here that the dealership cant prove that the cat caused internal damage to the engine that is typical to engine failure.

Ill just switch it to be safe and wait a week to go to the dealer to let the ecu reset

jmc23200

^But it is illegal and they can/will tell you to go screw