tjbourgoyne

Last June had a dealership change the differential fluid. It was getting about that time according the the service manual. Everything was fine until a few weeks ago. Started hearing a whistling sound but though it was either my old tires or the fuel pump since I'm at 104K. I have no mods and never had any issues with the car so I was fairly confident it wasn't a show stopper issue.

So I replaced the tires with a local shop and they noticed the noise and hinted at the transmission. I immediately dropped the car off at a different dealership since I had moved recently knowing good and well I was about to pay a small fortune to fix it.

They call me today asking when did I get the differential serviced because the plug was not screwed in all the way and the fluid eventually leaked out over time. I told him who did it and then called them. The service manager there remembered me and he seemed to acknowledge that it was more than likely their fault. He asked for the number and POC at the new dealership and later left a message on my phone stating they were going to assess the damage and keep me updated.

The car is an 05 MT. Good condition, never flooded or broke down, no mods, and I have the dealership do the majority maint except oil and tires. I'm crossing my fingers they do the right thing but I always prepare for worse case scenario.

If they pay for it I'm two for two this month. Public works fixed a home leak that was borderline my side of the pipe lol!

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

so far it sounds like they are taking care of the issue. i havent had an issue with my local dealer. i even get parts at a 20% discount..

tjbourgoyne

I hope so. They could drag it out but the evidence is all right there, slow leak caused by a unsecured plug that took almost a year to develop into a problem because I drive on mostly flat terrain. I think the problem got worse when I moved because there is a large hill going to my new residence. Everytime I went up it the leakage increased but I never saw one drop in my garage on level ground. Should find out today how it's going to go down.

Uncivilizedracer

Wow talk about carelessness , but hopefully they take care of everything. I'm sure if they wasn't right off they would have put the blame on you asking had you messed with it and taken it anywhere else since your last visit.

tjbourgoyne

Updated me today. Needs a new differential $2500. I hope they pay for it but man, that's a lot of cash for them to admit guilt and someone would get a serious *** chewing so I'm not getting a warm feely right now. He's in the process of calling the dealership that started this whole mess but wanted to inform me first. The other dealership's service manager should be calling me later today.

tjbourgoyne

Differntial replaced, brand new. Talked to the new mechanic, he said it was a slow leak and eventually the plug just fell out. If the plug would have been out the entire time oil would have sprayed everywhere under the car. That wasn't the case.

He also said he's never seen anything like it and he's fixed a lot of RX8's. He gave me the old differential and showed me the gradual damage of the worn gears.

My next step is likely to get a lawyer since the original dealership is standing down. Does anyone have advice on my next move. I have the paperwork from the orginal work, the old differential, and the statement from new mechanic stating no way the plug just fell out with no oil splash under the car and the gradual wear over a long period.

Vlaze

iTrader: (14)

This is why, I prefer to fix stuff on my own unless I absolutely have no other means to do so. I rather something fail under my wrenching since I double check everything than a dealer mechanic who will not care as much since it's not their car.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

This is why I am afraid to have someone to work on my car, Dealership or not.

Cuz no one cared about your car more than your own self

Good luck

tjbourgoyne

Would have done it myself but at that time, not possible. I was recovering from Afghanistan wounds.

I don't like getting lawyers involved but I think I have a good case. What I don't get is it's such a small amount of money they should just settle beacuse by the time they start paying legal fees win or lose, they are going to pay roughly the same amount the way I see it.

Never again will I let a dealerhsip touch my car unless it's a last resort. What a freakin mess.

tjbourgoyne

On a side note, it's not easy to get a brand new differential. Mazda doesn't sell them from what I was told. I was lucky they found a new one. If a new one can't be found one has to be aquired from a used or wrecked car.

adamwzl

iTrader: (3)

wow that sucks man.. Hopefully all gets worked out for you soon.

rx8_4TWin

try call MNAO and explain to them what happened. If you can have the new dealer back you up, you may have a good chance of getting (at least part of) your money back.

tjbourgoyne

What is MNAO? Not familar with that acronym. Mazda North America ?

maskedferret

iTrader: (1)

Mazda North American Operations


"Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is a generic organizational name which comprises of Mazda Motor of America, Inc., Mazda Canada Inc., Mazda Motor de Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., and Plaza Motors Corp.":

http://www.mazda.com/profile/group/rd.html