First the car floods, now "check engine" light
 

Well, you can now consider me officially off the "No Problem RX-8 owner" list.

A little over a week ago, my car flooded. Completely stalled out, in which I had to get it towed to the local dealership. They dechoked it in about 5 minutes, and sent me on my way.

Yesterday, after getting back in my car after not driving it for a day (didn't drive in on Sunday), the "check engine" light came on. No loss of power, nothing for me to think I had a problem. Then tonight, after getting home, there was a horrible smell of something like burning oil coming from my engine bay. Needless to say, I'm dropping my car off (AGAIN) at the dealership.

I'm annoyed. I bought this car 5 months ago looking for something fun (which it has been) but I drive 50 miles each way to work so I also need something reliable. This is the 3rd time it will be in the shop in only 5 months.

I'm not willing to give the car up yet, but I certainly hope these problems go away.

Anyway, anyone else experience this problem? Any idea what it could be? I'm sure they'll tell me tomorrow, but I would like to know what to expect. Thanks for the responses!

thats it.....only 3 times in 5 months??

Owned my baby since the begining of May I've had her in the shop for a total amount of 30 days atleast I figure. Trust me its kinda entertaining to be driving around all these different rentals.. your neighbors and co-workers think your a drug dealer. :rofl:

LOL!!! I guess I should be bragging instead of complaining. :bigok:

lol. I don't know if my credit card can handle all of these enterprise rent-a-car holds they put on it. $250 a pop. The warranty takes care of it, but the hold stays on for like 5 days. That's what I hate the most (also, it makes me mad late for work).

maybe you need new plugs.... What year is your car?

meow. meow. meow.

beers :beer:

2004. Maybe that's it.... who knows?

Yeah, could be plugs I guess... but I would think there would be some power notice. Within 3 months of owning my '05 (that I bought with 150miles on it in Oct of '06) my cat and plugs went, the thing was crazy slow, and would not rev past 6k!!! And from what I hear, that's pretty common with foul plugs (remember these plugs have alot more revs to put up with than most if you drive hard) Burning oil smell though... if you didn't see any smoke, do you know what a clogged cat generally smells like? It's not really similar to oil, but those unfamiliar with it might pass it off as oil. Sorry I'm not much help, but that's what warranty is for eh?

It should not be doing this - make sure they have done all the stuff - make sure they put a new scrunchy cap on when they changed your oil. Make sure you've got a good battery - this is also a recall item!

On my old Mazda, the check engine light was usually an indicator for a bad cat...you may have gotten too much oil in yours and she is kicking out this signal...

You guys were right, it was the spark plugs. When my car flooded last week, I had it towed in where they dechoked it and I was on my way (they didn't replace anything). I'm guessing the damage was done to the spark plugs then, so they replaced them today (along with wiring).

While it hasn't snowed at all this year, I'm still looking forward to winter ending. Not because I hate the cold, but because my car really seems to.

i have a smell of burning oil from my car too -.- if you get yours fixed can you let me know whats wrong? cuz i'm getting worried cuz its been here for about a week or so now...and if its something major i gotta take it in asap cuz i'm getting worried now hope all works out for you man.

^ did you recently get an oil change or any fluid swap?

Make sure it has the latest recall. New plugs starter and battery, plus compression test and extended warranty by one year. It's all covered under warranty:)

responding to zoned i didnt get any fluid changes, just the regular oil change every 2500 miles so iono whats wrong with my car, i'm taking it in next monday though

how long ago did you have it changed? the filter is in a pretty messed up location and if the person isnt careful they could have spilled oil in the engine bay. it usually clears up in a couple of days though.

well the mechanic i go to is a friend of mine...he still swears his head off everytime he changes it: WTF!!! Who the HELL puts this SH!T all the F#$% DOWN HERE!!! F#@$ MAZDA F@#$ MAZDA....but he does a good job =) and i know he didnt spill anything cuz i saw him putting it in and nothing spilled or nothing...iono i still have to take my car in because of condensation in my rear light -.- so i'll just have them check that out

I've had my car since September '05...she's never flooded once....i've gone days without driving her...no flooding...i've drove her months on end...no flooding...I drive her hard...I drive her soft...no flooding...I don't get how they flood, when mines never flooded. The only thing I do is make sure shes warm before shutting her off.

KRNrx8Driver:

I got the car fixed, and it doesn't smell anymore. All they did was replace the spark plugs and wires.

Did they change your oil with regular or synthetic? Have you thought about your catalytic converter? According to others on this site, that could be the cause.

Take it in! Have them do a diagnostic for you. Probably the best thing you can do (and if still under warranty, they'll most likely pay for it!)

Yeah, I was thinking that too. Winfree guessed that also. Don't fret over it Huskyfan23 - my car came with a clogged cat (blocked solid in 6 weeks). I've had service about as much in 18 months as you've had in your 5 - don't sweat it. It sounds like the service center is still chasing down the root cause which would make this all one issue in spite of needing multiple trips.

Some of my coworkers really gave me crap about the parade of rental cars (enhanced by my accident), but dude, seriously, that's how you spot the people who are really mad jealous of your car. ;)

just a quick note, i love my 2004 8 and will never sell it. i will slowly add things to it to personalize, and eventually pass it on to someone who will push it hard and love it like i do. i've only had minor recall problems and i put a quart of oil in about every 4-6 weeks. i am a 24 year old male who has been leasing the car since it was new. (under a cosigner) and i will buy it in a year when i graduate college. everyone who bitches about hp or some other issue is the type of person who would complain aout anything. if you like the styling, drive it. you will want it bad. slowly you will personalize it and everyone will stare. don't go overboard please with the aftermarket add-ons that will eventually make it look like a cheezy high schooler's civic and keep the car classy, bc that is what it is. own one and you'll understand. later. p.s. my ride is nordic green with black windows, black motegi dp10 deep dish rims and wide tires, a 10" alpine dvc sub with the factory (non-bose) speakers, stainless steel vent flares, and chrome cap. everyone digs it, i get comments and looks all day long. get one, slowly customize it, and give it your own minor touches and if you want more power, eventually turbo it (after warranty runs out) and you will continuously have a new car. no buyer's remorse after nearly three years even when people who have never driven one ask if its fast enough, or i get beet in a race (very seldom). if you doubt me go test drive and try to keep that smile off your face.

yep,

but my bet would be with what happened that the cat is sure to follow....

beers :beer:

it might smell like oil because of the oil change. the filter is inside the engine in a retarded place but it shouldnt be an excuse for them to spill oil in ur engine. just call their service department and tell them that after u got the oil changed the car stinks. make a fuss about it and tell them whoever changed it spilled oil in the engine and everytime the engine gets hot it stinks like oil. just be an asshole about it on the phone theyll tell u to come in and theyll clean the mess they made. that smell can stay for a surprisingly long time so if u got it done recently get it cleaned asap.

Thanks for the warning guys. I've had my '07 for 3 months/2100 miles, and not one instance of flooding, or other engine problem. (The first 1000 miles were with the lower spark plugs not even connected)! Just finished adding the second quart of oil -- roughly 1 qt/1000 miles -- good benchmark?

Hopefully I'll stay lucky and it'll keep out of the shop.

It's been over a year. I'm sure the smell is gone...