Last week I took my '04 RX8 in for new plugs (40,000+ miles on them). I also had a check engine light which I'm told is from the O2 sensor. The dealer informed me that they suspect that I may need a new motor. They said they needed to flush it with some solution to clean the seals and then run a compression test. Since i was not prepared to leave the car, i will schedule this for another time. The new plugs were not installed as the dealer suggested i wait until after the test. The O2 sensor also was not replaced because the new engine (if needed) would come with one. They did however flash the ecm with an upgrade that they said was to address a los of power issue.
they said what made them want to check the motor is the long cranking time(4-6 secs approx). I pointed out that that has been the normal starting time for that engine as long as i can remember. Also, I don't feel that i have felt any loss of power as it seems I should have with bad compression (although that may be because i got used to it like bad shocks).
The final bad news to this story is that I have 106,000+ miles on the car and have exceeded the waranty. The dealer suggested i call corporate and plead my case if the engine is indeed bad.

any suggestions?

 

Replacement engine doesn't come with sensor's, don't know where the dealer came up with that. Since Mazda already extended the engine warranty 50,000 miles I doubt they will extend it again for you but the worst they can say is no. Getting that compression test will be important, Mazda will not do anything without that info. So the first thing I would do is get the test. If it fails try Mazda, if they will not cover the engine drive the car till it blows then get a rebuilt from Mazmart.

 

Did you ever have the MSP-16 recall performed. Basically a seafoam engine clean-out. I would do that before any engine change out. It drastically changed my engine's performance. If you can't get the dealer to do it...I think there is a DIY around here somewhere.

Good Luck

edit: I just saw where you said they were going to "flush it with some solution". I'm guessing that it will help. You could also look into pre-mixing. It may help with the compression issues and save from a new engine. It won't fix your problem and is more of a band-aid solution to a compound fracture...

 

a new motor? that's awesome! Can't wait!

 

I sure hope you get everything sorted out with your dealer.

 

You can try to call corporate up and see if they will cover the engine, if its original and has 100k+ miles they do like to see the wear on everything for research reasons and may assist you on that. No guarantee on it though. If your at 100k+ on the original chances are your compression is down some also, you should call corporate to start and see what your options are assuming you have the original motor and 100k+ on it, if its been replaced chances are they wont help you much but there is a warranty I think on rebuilt enignes with 100k+ on the odometer. Just tell them you were unfamiliar with the lifespan of the rotary and you would have had the compression checked prior to 100k+ had you known it had a limited life, tell them you experieced loss of power and hard starting around 90k miles or so for the hell of it. Just trying to help you save a buck.

 

Well, at this point they don't know anything about you needing a new motor, because the 4-6 second cranking time is really no proof. Do you have the upgraded starter already?