hiroyukiiwaasa

Okay guys here it is...

Where I live there is only 1 Mazda dealer around, the next being 2 hours away. The first time I went to them, it was for my brakes squeaking. They told me they could resurface the rotors and it would fix the problem for $300. After they resurfaced only the back rotors they said there was a pin missing from the front caliper causing it squeal and they could order the part for another $300 and that they would finish the front rotors once the part came in. Needless to say, I was not going to spend $600 to have my brakes stop squeaking so I had to pay for the work they already did which was only the back rotors and they still charged me $300 for not even fixing the problem!! Later on looking through the threads I found out there's a simple TSB out for front squeaking breaks and the dealer didn't even tell me about it, and charged me $300 to resurface the back rotors. WHAT A JOKE!

Anyways, this is what I'm having to deal with now... I posted a forum asking for help on why my car was losing so much power and why I couldn't get past 6K rpm. Replies came in saying to first try installing new coils plugs and wires before anything else, and other replies said that it could be a bad cat, or possibly loss of compression. Well I took the advice and put in new coils plugs and wires, but it made no difference. I then took it into the dealer, but I reset the cars memory beforehand because I had a check engine light for an O2 sensor and I didn't want them to try and push me around by saying the 02 sensor is causing the loss of power when I know that's not the case.

So they took the car in and they said I had crossed wires when I installed them and put them onto the wrong terminals. They put them on the correct terminals, but it made absolutely no difference. They said because there is no codes that I would have to drive it around and bring it back in week for them to be able to look at the cat and test compression. So when I left I had to pay for $125 for the diagnosis even though they weren't able to fix the problem. They then told me they may have to charge me diagnosis fees again when I bring it back in a week, and I made a scene in front of their customers and said "ABSOLUTELY NOT! YOU ARE NOT CHARGING ME FOR DIAGNOSIS TWICE WHEN I ASKED YOU SPECIFICALLY TO DIAGNOSE ONE PROBLEM WHICH YOU DID NOT DO" and then they agreed not to charge me a second time.

So I brought it back the next week, and they said that the codes the car pulled up determined a bad cat. Which is what I told them from the start. They said they would send the numbers to Mazda to get it approved for warranty on a new cat. One week later they still hadn't called me back so I sent my dad in to go and demand some answer and they told him "Sometimes it can take weeks for Mazda to send approval, and because the wires were crossed when he brought it in, they may void the warranty"

Excuse my language, but that is B*** ****!!! There is no way that having those wires cross could have caused the cat to have problem when I installed the wires two days before i brought into the shop, and I installed the wires because the problem was already there!!!

Anyway, I am very upset about this whole issue, and just thought I would share my experience with you guys to see if you had anything to say about it.

Thanks guys!

mscamp02

iTrader: (3)

looks like you messed up and paid 300 dollars to resurface rotors that most auto stores will do for next to nothing if not free...just need to pull them off which takes 2 minutes.

From the get go you should have realized you were getting completely ripped and then just gone to a normal repair shop and it wouldnt have cost nearly that much.

Bladecutter

Well, did you actually hook the wires up to the wrong spark plugs when you changed the coils?

At this point, you would be best served driving the 2 hours to the other shop, as it doesn't seem that your dealer wants to help you in any way, shape, or form.

And next time, don't erase CEL codes that have to do with the problem you are describing. You needed that code to get the cat replaced. You shot yourself in the foot for that one.

You should probably double check to see that they haven't hooked your wires up incorrectly on you.

BC.

Novoken

iTrader: (7)

wow clift notes? im lazy today lol

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

The dealer is being fairly typical, but, unfortunately, going to them with crossed ignition wires is giving them grounds to deny warranty on both the cat and the engine.

And yes, it's possible.

I agree with you that it was probably the cat giving you issues to begin with, and the wires didn't cause it, but, it hurts your case quite a bit.

Good luck.

YaXMaN

Life experience is expensive.

Nothing you've talked about is out of the realm of standard operating procedure.
You keep taking your car to the dealership, and expecting them to diagnose and fix your problem with laser precision at a bargain price. It's not going to happen, dude.

Feel lucky you're out some bucks, but you learned a few things. If you're going to have a sports car, you HAVE to learn about how work on it yourself and know when you're in over your head, or else it's going to cost you. It's that simple.

Brake stuff? Holy ****, man. Do it yourself. You did the right thing by researching, but you did it too late. You won't do that again... live and learn.

A few years down the road, you'll have your friends asking you for car advice, but you have to commit to learning as much as you can.

monchie

Dealerships could be nice or they could be mean. Usually, they have their ways to pass thru the system without us knowing it. Yes, there is a TSB about this problem, but the dealerships will ignore it and won't tell you about it, unless you knew about it. From my experienced, i never had a problem with my local dealership here in Vegas about warranty work because i know if this issue is covered under the warranty or not. If i were you, i will call the Mazda headquarters and complain about your situation about that dealership and they might help you with your issue. Good luck.

YaXMaN

No, that's not a good idea. They haven't said "no" yet. You take it to Mazda NA, and I bet they'll go by the book, and you could diminsh a chance at getting the cat replaced under warranty.

I had to work with Mazda and MNAO quite a bit when I had my 8... in fact, I got them to replace the whole damn car with a new one. The deal with "we can't get approval for weeks" has to be bullshit. There's a regional guy that approves the service, and if his dumb *** is on vacation or something, you raise hell, but do it with the local folks first. Know the process. If they continue to screw you, then go MNAO, but not until they officially say "no", and don't let them drag it out.

Just what I think...

hiroyukiiwaasa

They can actually deny me warranty for a clogged cat because I crossed the wires 2 days before the diagnosis when I was trying to restore power to my car???? Wow...

What is the MNAO you speak of? is there anything I can do to help my case?

K1NeT1C USMC

working on your car sometimes voids warranty. i take my 8 to the dealership for everything, even oil changes. that way when the cat or the engine decide to crap out ill have paper work to back it up.

SpIcEz

Thats the wrong way to do it. It only ends up costing you too much in maintenance fees.

As they arent cheap.

I do all my own work, when I can and still managed to get everything covered under warranty. If I count the reman engine they are putting in, the 3 cats, the ABS sensor, multiple engine mounts, center console, 4 times the rear lights, all the recalls, headlight sensors, oil lines, etc... etc... etc...

I'm sure they have put in close to 10 000$ of warranty work into my car.

K1NeT1C USMC

then they havent cuaght you messing with your car or they are just nice. 9 out of 10 times working on your car voids warranty. why? b/c your not certified to work on it....

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Hardly.

Take a look at your owner's manual. See the section where it allows you to keep records of your own maintenance in case of future warranty claims?

That right there, if nothing else, carries the understanding that they can accept self-service as valid.

And we can prove that plenty of Mazda techs aren't certified to work on the 8.

I do my own work, and my dealer not only knows it, but appreciates the fact that I know my car so well.

When my cat failed, I brought it to the dealer, in the trunk. He ordered one under warranty on the spot.

Yes, this is an example of a fantastic dealer, but then, that is why I drive an hour and a half to them when I need to. There are 7 closer that are much more like the one the OP is dealing with.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/MNAO
Basically, Mazda in the USA.

SpIcEz

You are just simply 100% wrong. You are assuming all of these things you are saying without knowing any facts whatsoever.

Seriously, if someone at the dealership has told you this, plain as day, you should bring it up with his manager and ask him to send it to you in writing and CC Mazda north america.

Lets see what his response is to that...

My dealership, knows very well that I do my own work. When I brought it in, I told them I had changed this and that part recently and it didint fix my problem, then after their first diagnostic (which I didint agree with) they said it might be my battery or starter, so I took the car back, replaced both myself and brought it back in and told them to look further.

They are currently installing a reman. engine. and my warranty is in no way voided.

hiroyukiiwaasa

So what you guys are saying is the only advice you can offer is to go to another dealer even if the dealer is a couple hours away?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

If you are willing to pay $1,300 for a cat out of your pocket instead of driving a total of 4 hours, I question your sanity.

Granted, I would see if you can get any info on that other dealer to see if they handle things more sensible. If they are the same, no, I wouldn't advocate going to that other dealer.

neXib

No dealer/mechanic will know more about your RX-8 than yourself if you read up and take an interest in it. The lack of mechanical experience isn't the worst thing to lack, because many people have had similar problems before you. Live and learn

hiroyukiiwaasa

So then would it make sense for me to call the dealer ship first and ask them if they could help me out? or would they not give me that information over the phone? and would it make a difference which dealership I go to if mazda has already declined my warranty? like wont the vin have already been recorded, therefor mazda would just be like, "no we already told you its void"

SpIcEz

For 1300$ the least you could do is try.

Maybe contact Mazda north america and ask them to look over your file and explain their refusal of your warranty claim. Dont even bring up the reason your dealership gave you.

You know if they are as crooked as they seem, maybe they didint even put in a request and just dont want to deal with you, or they want you to bend, accept to pay for it, then turn around and claim the parts and labor from Mazda and charge you at the same time...

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

well, if they took picture of your "crossed wires" they can void your warranty.

but if they didn't, take the trip to another dealership and see what happens.

1300 is pretty "normal" dealership price for the CAT. I wouldn't pay for that tho. at least not if your car is still under the emission warranty, which is 8 yrs 80K miles whichever comes first.

obviously this dealer is taking advantage of "I'm the only dealer within 4 hours driving range, bite me bitches!"

so it might be painful, but you should go to another place where it has at least 2-3 Mazda dealership nearby (or within 1 hour driving range around the area), go in, act innocent like "o what happened to my car it runs like pure ****, I came from 4 hours away, I know the other dealership are pure **** and I heard(make it up) that you guys are good and take care of people blah blah blah(kiss their *** somewhat)" and see what they say.

Just make this a 1-day trip. go really early in the morning, get there around 11-12. they should be able to tell you if your CAT is bad or anything within an hour or 2, and usually they will be able to tell you if it's Deny/Approved instantly. a CAT is not even a big f-king deal. it happens all the time.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

That is very possible. consider they're the only dealership within 4 hours range.

Aseras

The cat/emissions warranty is a FEDERAL issue. I don't think they can deny it at all within the 8yr 80,000 mile warranty period for any reason whatsoever. For the emissions related equipment only.

Here's what you need to do ask them for all of this in writing

1) Ask for a detailed explanation, in writing as to why emissions
warranty coverage was denied; and

2) Ask for the name(s) of the person(s) involved in the decision
to deny coverage, including anyone from the manufacturer's
regional or zone office; and

3) Ask for the name(s) of the person(s) with the manufacturer you
should contact to appeal the denial of coverage under the
emissions warranty.

4) Contact and, if necessary, write to the person mentioned above
requesting coverage and giving the basis for your request. Repeat
and continue the appeal process until you are satisfied or have
exhausted all means of appeal.

Remind them that under FEDERAL LAW Proof of maintenance is not required in order to obtain
coverage under the emissions warranty

I'd also send a letter here U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Vehicle Programs & Compliance Division (6405J)
Attn: Warranty Complaints
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460

yiksing

Most of the issues that you thought you have arent really issues to begin with, you could have saved a lot of effort and money if you are patient enough to read through this forum's wealth of knowledge and solved them easily yourselves. In my 5 years of owning the car, this forum have never steer me wrong as long as I done my fair share of homework before asking for help.

ken-x8

Two questions:

1. Where do you live and who is the dealer you've been going to? Who's the dealer two hours away? If you post your location it's likely someone here can give specific dealer info/experience.

2. Is there anything unusual about the history of your car that you have not told us?

If you get a heads-up that the dealer two hours away is a straight shooter, then calling them and telling of your woes with the local place would be worthwhile. If you call, make sure you come across as someone they'll want to help.

BTW - if you never get satisfaction from Mazda, there are cheaper third party cats available. Rock Auto lists one for under $300.

Ken