Hey guys, just had a quick question. I am away in college and I left my 8 at home. My dad tried starting it but didn't work. Got it towed to the dealership fixed the loose contacts, but they also said the engine was flooded and it needed new spark plugs and needed to clean the carbon build up. They are charging $600, does this seem about right? Sorry, I have a couple of midterms coming up so I do not have much time to research at the moment. I will appreciate any help you guys can give me! Thanks in advance.

 

That does sound about right (unfortunately!!). Is your car auto or manual?
If your dad wouldn't mind the effort, I'm sure he could fix the issue for much less!
Purchase the plugs/ coils from Mazmart (a vender here). Install yourself (easy-peasy)

 

My 8 is a stick. It's flooded too and he doesn't know how to de-flood it. I told him that me and him should start doing the oil changes, but he's scared we might f it up so we just always get it done at the dealership. Thus, I am highly doubtful that he will even want to learn how to change the plugs himself. Also, how would we able to eliminate the carbon buildup ourselves if we were to do it? I always try to redline at least once a day when I was back home too SMH. Should I have a compression test done as well just to make sure it ain't fucked?

 

After your midterms are over, do the research for the deflooding and carbon cleaning procedures.

For now, pay the $600, and tell your dad to park your car someplace where he doesn't have to move it over and over again, which is what probably caused the flooding in the first place.

Then, buy a new set of ignition coils and spark plug wires, and this will help prevent the flooding again in the future.

BC.

 

For dealership price? that sounds about right.

for DIY? F-NO !

Plugs 80 Max shipped, coils if Mazda "box" maybe 200 these days/aftermarket about 60-70. Wires brand new less than 40. De-flood 20 dollars to buy the "OFFICIAL" cleaner, 2 hours of your time--- FREE.

Add a case of beer to the list to chill with your friends while doing all this.

 

if it's stick, try push/pull starting it. Just turn the key on, throw it into 2nd, push/ pull the vehicle and drop the clutch. Very simple procedure. Check this vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d07mJQVrXZ0

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the help guys, the 8 hasn't been driven for a while since I am rarely home. Do you think that contributed to the flooding? He knows to always let it warm-up before even shutting it off to prevent this stupid flooding and voila, it happened smh. Yeah, I am gonna learn a lot more once this quarter is over and summer hits. Thanks, a lot for the help guys!

 

Oh Jeez..I'm in the same boat. Out in Afghanistan...car won't start...folks couldn't get it de-flooded...towing it to the dealer tomorrow. 150 bucks just to get a diagnostic test....fuggers...at least they're polite about it...so far.