Well I have recently had my 8 in for service a couple of different times for the same issue.... hard starting, stuttering while driving, even stalling out when coasting to stop w/ clutch in. I asked them to check several things both times, such as the cat, the coils, the plugs, the fuel pump, compression but was told that all those were okay and was told it was the ecu reflash, the carb cleaner, and a slipped hose on the air pump. I was very doubtful of these, and just got tired of getting charged for the very first thing they seemed to stumble apon. It seems my doubts were confirmed when it started gurgling and died while driving the other day.
I had it trailered into the dealer for the work and let them know I was not real pleased w/ their service in the past and I hope things go a little better this time. Now I am being told it is at least a bad cat (pissed off, because they should have already checked that) and they want the service records to send off to corporate. When I heard this I just sighed as I have read this story many times on here. Who the hell keeps receipts from several years worth of oil changes??? I have located a couple of receipts but since I do all the work at home and buy the filters 5 at a time it has no bearing on when I actually changed my oil.
I really hope I am wrong, but I am dreading how this story usually goes. This has no real bearing on anyone else, just thought I would share my misery w/ those who wish to read about it.

 

Good luck Jim.. I think it is stuiped when they want your receipts from every oil change.. who the hell keeps those? keep us updated on this!

 

sucks....but they want oil change receipts for a cat replacement? or engine?

 

That is the odd thing, never said anything about the engine yet. I think they are just seeing if it would be approved before they mention that it is screwed.

 

Well, just received word from the dealer that Mazda approved the new cat..... and the new engine. Unfortunately it appears Mazda is out of engines (at least manual ones) and it will take 3 weeks to get one here, on top of the week they have already had it and however long it takes them to install. They are checking on getting me a rental car (at their cost) or finding a loaner car (which they said Mazda had taken away from them in May). This looks like it is coming together with minimal pain, but I will have to wait until the end to see if that plays out.

 

Dam Dinosaurs

 

Just thought I would vent a little and give an update for anyone who cares.lol Mazda got an engine earlier than though and were able to replace it last thursday. So far so good! Then it was running like crap, sounded like a freaking lawnmower! After 2 days of consulting w/ Mazda technicians here in Indianapolis and corporate engineering, it was decided it was a clogged fuel injector and bad seal on the injector (not covered by warrenty and not cheap). I posted on here, and talked to friends and was very dubious this was the problem, but kinda at the mercy of Mazda here since I don't have the time to learn how to switch these out myself. It was to be done today.
Just got off the phone with Mazda.... and what do you know..... still a problem. The injector was clogged and repaired I have great fuel flow now but car still running like ****. They ran another compression check, and well to put it short I am going to need another engine! This has got to be a record.... two engines without ever driving the car. Of course with the holiday being monday, they cannot get the new engine here until tuesday at the earliest.
I was really hoping this was not going to go like this, but my thread title from 8-14 shows that I feared it would, and so far my fears are coming out right!

 

sorry to hear but when you get the new engine it should run like a dream providing everything is ok

 

^ That's what I thought would happen after they replaced it on thursday. lol

 

Seriously, wouldn't you think getting a brand new engine would solve problems?? Why does this keep happening with mazda? I hate to hear how people have to go through these situations, I feel bad dude. Hopefully everything works out.

 

Oh my god that sucks. Sorry to hear about this. Painful.

 

Oh wow man that sucks. Good luck on the 3rd one