hiroyukiiwaasa

Hey guys,

The guys at mazda are telling me that the diagnosis is not covered by mazda warranty even if the diagnosis is related to the cat or the engine which is covered by warranty...

Do you guys know the truth behind this? Is there any documents I can use as proof?

Thanks guys!!!

lilring

iTrader: (11)

if you go in and ask for a compression test. You will pay for it but if it fails warranty will give you your money back.

hiroyukiiwaasa

Is there any document to prove this? because their telling me no to the test being covered even if it fails.

lilring

iTrader: (11)

how many miles do you have on your 8?

ken-x8

Look up the TSB for the problem you're having. See what the symptoms are supposed to be. If you car is doing that, then tell them that. Then it's up to them to figure it out.

In general, it's best to tell a shop what symptoms your car has, rather than giving them your own diagnosis or telling them what tests to do.

Ken

monchie

Whatever the Mazda dealerships tells you that the diagnosis is not covered under the warranty, is because they are telling you that your vehicle does not have the warranty for it. You could pay for the diagnosis, but if they find something wrong, then it really depends on the warranty coverage of the problem. Anyway, what year and mileage is your car anyway?

ken-x8

If something is covered under warranty, diagnosis of the problem should be under warranty.

The last time I stepped into a Merchant's tire (literally the last - they're on my permanent **** list) was to check a battery that was still under warranty. They wanted to charge me $20 to check it, refundable if it was bad. In the screaming match that ensued, I finally said "This battery has failed. I don't care if you test it or not - are you going to honor the warranty?"

They agreed to not try to charge me. But they decided that they were backed up and would I mind waiting two hours.

Anyway, the key to warranty service is to walk in and spout the complaint in the corresponding TSB. And, of course, to still be within the warranty period.

I get the impression that a number of people just shy of the 8 year engine warranty go in with no actual problem, but the hope that they can score a new engine. Not saying that's what the OP is up to, but there are enough posts here with that attitude. I can see that giving dealers their own attitude.

I just had my cat replaced under warranty, no charge for the diagnosis.

Ken

xexok

Dealers are just that way, my car is still under the 36k mile bumper to bumper warranty but if I hear a weird noise or notice something strange they would still charge me the $100-150 diagnostic fee, refundable if there was actually a problem but I still don't like it.

ken-x8

That's not right. You should find another dealer.

Ken

xexok

Its actually the best dealer around here, there are only two. One is horrible and the other is decent. I have not checked with the decent one in awhile, it changed owners so it may have changed practices and gotten better now.

hiroyukiiwaasa

Hey guys to answer some of your questions and concerns:
My car is 2005 with 88,700 km's on it. They already tested everything else, and said I need to bring it back so they can test the Cat and compression but they needed to drive it for a week so the cars memory can store some drive cycles in order for them to check the Cat and test the compressions to see if I need a new cat or engine, both of which should be covered under warranty. However they are telling me the diagnosis fee will not be covered even if the problem is related to something that is covered under warranty.

From what Ive read here, the if the problem is related to the cat or compressions, then the diagnosis fee should be should be covered by the dealer, but the dealer is telling me thats not the case. Is there any documents I can show them to back me up?

Thanks guys!

8upbad

iTrader: (3)

I'm at 92K, I really need to get a compression test done.

xexok

hiroyukiiwaasa you should just call up mazdas 1-800 number and complain about that dealer trying to charge you for diagnosing warranty work.

ken-x8

Read the appropriate parts of your warranty. The emission warranty would be with your original owner's manual. The extended warranty on the engine would be in the material you got from Mazda when they issued it. If you don't have that, there's a copy on this site...probably in the sticky thread on the topic.

Those are the documents that say what you're entitled to. Diagnosis may or may not be covered after the bumper-to-bumper is over.

Also, browse through the TSBs whose titles seem to cover your issues. Sometimes there's a gem, like one of the "crank no start" bulletins saying Mazda will cover the tow-in even if you're past B-2-B where roadside assistance is included.

If it turns out to be the engine, be prepared to pay for a bunch of external parts that are not covered but need to be replaced.

Ken

monchie

When do you really need to get a compression test? When you know your engine is loosing compression or loosing power? Any certain mileage or specially the year the car is made (usually an 04)? Just curious...

I ask this to avoid preventive maintenance on the car. Avoid serious damage to the engine as well. Just a thought...

xexok

What I don't understand about that is you see some people post and say everything is covered and they got it free, then others post saying they had to pay upwards of 1k for stuff. There is another post where someone just got a new engine at 79k miles and they say it was at no cost to them.

ken-x8

When you think there may be a problem. There are a number of folks here who plan to get a compression test soon before their engine core warranty expires, in the hope of results coming out low enough that they'll score a new engine.

I think I've mentioned this in other threads, but in the old days when cars got an annual tuneup (plugs, points, condenser, rotor) it was common to do a compression test as part of the ritual. Especially if there was a rough idle.

Ken

ken-x8

Depends on the dealer and your relationship with them. Besides the difference in paying for the peripherals on an engine replacement, there's a huge inconsistency in whether the warranty is honored at all.

It helps to be a regular customer. The service department at the dealer where I bought my 8 turned out to be excellent, so for the first time in my life I've brought my car there for everything. They do good work and I make sure to give them high ratings when I get a customer satisfaction survey. Dealers don't seem to be the cheapest place for service, but if you find a good one it pays off in the long run.

Ken

pianoman-1

iTrader: (1)

I've been going to my dealer for 23 years and they wouldn't even compression test it at my request. They said it probably needs plugs. It is now at another Mazda dealer and it might be on it's way to failing.