Need Help: Car @ Dealer for 'Hard Start' - Can't find TSB
 

Heys guys.

I took my car into the dealer for the hard start issue yesterday, because it's always worse in cold weather, and well, winter is close at hand.

Anyways, I know there was a TSB (Mazda was actually replacing this stuff free on its own for 8s under warranty) for the more robust plugs, battery and starter motor.

Here's the thread (post #12 by Mugatu):

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ter+tsb+recall


I can't find the TSB and/or recall on the FinishLine list that's stickied.

I think the dealer will replace these things, but don't want to be unpleasantly surprised in case they don't, and with the print out TSB in hand, can ensure that they do before I return the rental and pick up my 8.


TIA.

I wouldn't want to be accused of being lazy, so I kept searching.

Is this it?:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...48-06-1691.pdf


TIA

Yep, that's the one. Pretty dated tho'. My late March '05 built '8 came with the new starter and battery.

Okay, thanks.


Mine is an '05, but with a 2004 build date (late).

What battery did your car have? My understanding is that if you had the Panasonic, Mazda replaced it with the Interstate.

And did you get the upgraded starter motor and plugs?

That's correct, replaced with Interstate, as shown in the TSB. Mine came with the Interstate and 'new' starter. I got the new plugs in a later TSB, the emissions one if memory serves.

Note how to check your starter model in the TSB as well.

Thanks, Huey.

I now an ably equipped to deal with any problems should they arise before picking my car up.

This is a brand new Mazda Dealer that I took my car to.

I have to say that the service manager has been totally cool and responsive, but I also have to say that one of the techs came in while I was dropping my car off and made a few comments that didn't exactly fill me with confidence about whether he's intimately familiar with the Renesis.

I want to give the tech the benefit of the doubt on a quick learning curve, and besides, I am confident the service manager will call the shots anyways.

Sometimes a new tech is a good thing, as he's more apt to take it slow and follow the shop manual to the letter. Of course on the other hand there's no substitute for experience. Good luck and stand your ground on TSB's. I generally feed them precisely the complaint indicated in the TSB; saves allot of useless chit chat. ;)

Finally got the ECU reflash.

Tech said one coil was not firing properly at initial startup, but normalized within a matter of seconds.

They didn't want to replace battery, starter motor or plugs NOW (since I haven't had a true failure to start), but I have 12 months left on my Bumper to Bumper warranty, and they assured me if I have continuing problems (hard start), they will replace all three no questions asked.

The service manager also told me to bring the car in 6 months prior to expiration of the BtoB warranty, and they will go over everything with a fine tooth comb.

I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but the 'hiccuping' (which was mild) that I experienced before at idle or low speeds seems to be gone. Reflash?

Anyways - Dealer was totally cool.

It could very well be the new flash; one of the things they did was to increase apex seal oil flow at idle.

Engine Lack of Power bulletin 01-014/08 "Lack of engine power and low engine idle during ambient temp's." "Poor sealing of roter chambers due to carbon accumulation..." "... [flash] increases oil metering ...

As I pre-mix (Idemitsu), hit redline often, and use a fuel system cleaner regularly (Seafoam, Gumout, etc.), I've never had a problem tho'.