zoned

So should I drain my RP before taking it in on the recall? These bastages have got me synthetic paranoid now. :-(

dmc27

I didn't switch to RP b/c of the same concern. Who's to say they aren't going to test the oils? Seems a bit over the top to me, but then, it must be cheaper than passing out *new* engines.

rotarygod

Mazda already knows of the potential for carbon buildup in this engine. The proof of that is in the shape of the closing edge of the exhaust ports and the wedge shape of the side seals. You know they did all of their testing on conventional "genuine Mazda oil" yet they still have carbon issues and have always had them. These problems are nothing new. It is just them coming around and finally admitting that it is an issue that needs to be dealt with. Back in the 70's, Mazda experimented with the side exhaust port but did not do it. Why? They had carbon issues that resulted in carbon collecting in the ports and breaking seals. You know they used conventional oils back then too as practically everyone did. The modern day solution to it was to use more accurate oil metering techniques than just dumping it down the carb like the old cars in the 70's, wedge shaped side seals to help remove any carbon buildup from sticking them in place, and the gradual closing edge shape on the exhaust ports to help scrape away any carbon. None of this is a new issue and none of it is a problem that didn't exist before synthetic oils. That is just their scapegoat for it.

Come on Mazda, just admit what the problem really is and make us all happy.

rotarygod

Yamamoto-san specifically said last year at Sevenstock that RP was one of the good synthetics to use in the rotary. He did say not to use Mobil 1 but did not say why. I've used RP for years with no issues. So have many others and so has Racing Beat. Don't sweat it.

We need to ask ourselves something very important. If there are certain oil companies out there that make synthetics that we shouldn't be using due to carbon deposits, should you really feel any better by using that same brand's conventional oils??? That would scare me. It's not the base stock that makes and oil an oil. It's the additive package. It is many of these that are leaving the deposits. I'd be scared to use any oil from any certain company if one of them were found to cause problems.

As we all know, I have and always will endorse Royal Purple. My favorite conventional oil though is Havoline.

Ajax

I'm pretty sure I got this flash last time my car was in. They were testing it here in TX and some people report more oil consumption, some report less. My car definitely burned more for the first 1000 miles, but I also noticed something else. The oil light now comes on earlier. It comes on at exactly a quart low instead of 1.5 or 1.7 or wherever it came on before. I thought this was a fluke, but the last 3 times it's come on, it's been exactly at a quart low. I've put in 3 quarts since I got the flash and I'll have to check as to how far I've gone since then.

I have the maintenance paperwork at home.

Sea Ray

Hmmm, you wait until the light comes one? Isn't that a bit too low?

otherside

Personally, I will be glad if my current engine is fine. I dont want to replace it. If you have no symptoms of a possible damaged engine, i.e. severe loss of power, low vaccum etc...You will be fine with the reflash. The recall procedure is pretty comprehensive. Expect to leave your car for half a day.

Ajax

The light is there for a reason. Mine came on twice before I got this flash in the 2.5 years I've had the car, and both times it took approx 1.7 quarts. Now it comes on at 1 quart low and it's come on 3 times since I got flashed. Each time, I've checked it, added 1 quart and then checked it again and it's been at the top of the dipstick. It's very odd, but it makes sense to protect the engine.

Sea Ray

To each their own, I top my oil off about every 3rd full up and it generally takes very little.

But I need to get in the habit of "one redline a day keeps the Mazda mechanic away"

dmc27

So even thought I had the reflash done 2 weeks ago I'm going to have to go in for this testing b/c the "vacuum test" will be required, correct?

Otherside - Should I expect a loaner/rental on Mazda's tab?

missinmahseven

I hope you like chevy aveos.. likely they'll put you in such a clunker, or a comparable clunker. My ex-dealer stuck me in aveos, focus, neon.. etc. blah. 30k and you get treated like a bottom-feeding entry-level customer. x.x

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

i got put in a Nissan Xterra..... it was weird bodyrolling all over the place lol

ibfubar2000

WOW 11 pages of speculation in 1 day. Its amazing what will happen on the web. When a lot of people start rumors. Let me clarify a few things. YES there is a new recall coming out. #4206F we do not have any paper info on it yet. YES there was a webinar (like a seminar but online) that every Mazda tech, service manager and service advisor was supposed to listen in on, it was an hour long webinar last Thursday/Friday. No not every car is going to get a new engine. mazda predicts less then 1% of vehicle will need a new engine. less then 5% will need a new catalytic converter but 100% will need a new flash, even if you had a flash 1-2 weeks ago, you will need another new flash. The test takes about on hour or so to do for each vehicle, expect your car to be down 2-3 hours though depending on how busy the dealer is that day. The cars are being tested for lack of power. the cars will be tested at high RPM to see if the RPMs drop rapidly, yes high RPM but they will be driven safely (lets not start speculating on the certified technicians damaging your engine because of high RPMs either)if the RPMs drops rapidly for no reason, ie your foot is still on the pedal, then you will get a new engine, if it does not drop you will not. If you have had experience in the past where your car has lost power then perhaps you are the 1% that will need an engine if you have never had a loss of power then you will just get a new flash. All Rx8 owners will get a letter in the mail next week (Aug 28th they get mailed to customers) DO NOT KAMIKAZE YOUR ENGINE!! DO NOT SABOTAGE YOUR ENGINE!! DO NOT PUT SYNTHITIC OIL IN YOUR ENGINE AND JUST EXPECT TO GET A NEW ONE BECUASE IF YOUR CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY OF THE PROBLEMS MENTIONED ON THE RECALL YOU WILL NOT GET A NEW ENGINE AND YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW ONE YOURSELF.
Yes it is a recall and EVERY car will be covered under warranty FOR THE RECALL.
I would really like to just say relax right now and just wait until next week when the recall actually comes out and PLEASE PLEASE STOP SPECULATING AND/OR TELLING PEOPLE THAT EVERY ENGINE WILL BE REPLACED BECAUSE THAT IS NOT THE CASE! Just relax and enjoy driving your RX8 like you always have.

dmc27

I love aveo's, what's wrong with aveo's?

I'll pay the extra $10 bucks and get something nice.

Rhythmic

So aside from getting the vacuum test, is it safe to say that if you are not experiencing power loss, and you in a moderate climate, that your engine should be ok?

I too am very scepticle about getting a reman engine. I guess I would go in for the test, but I have had no problems what so ever (knock on wood) with my engine, or other parts of the car.

wantan8

Yeah but HOT CLIMATES?? I mean ar eyou kidding, these cars have summer rated tires. Why even make an engine that can't handle hot climates? You live in Houston and I live in Dallas so should we just not have RX8s then? I mean, there has to be a ton more about this. Hell, it probably reaches close to 100 anywhere in the country at some point.

I was dead set on buying an 8 soon, but what the hell? I can't have a car in a hot climate without worrying about oil leaks from the engine into the catalyst? Jesus.

RexApex

I would presume that if they're doing an engine recall, that they've got a solution to the engine failures. "Banning" synthetic oil appears to be part of it, but certainly isn't the full solution. Are there new specification parts going into the remanufactured engines? Is there something in the current ECU flash thats supposed to fix the prblem? Does anyone know what the fix is?
--R.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

let's see how many prospective buyers we can scare away just from this thread lol

RevTo9K

Yes, the new flash injects more oil into the rotors at lower (cruising) rpms. But in addition to that they are trying to find and replace engines where the damage has already been done.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

i think once the official recall letter is sent out next week, the few Mazda contacts we have on this forum will reveal more insight... be patient for now and don't spaz out *too much* lol

Ike

I will never trust someone that puts a Zoom-Zoom sticker on their windshield...

ibfubar2000

LOL.

wantan8

Anyone not dumb enough to buy an engine that lives in "hot" weather. We'll wait til all the facts come out, but I mean if engine problems are caused because of hot weather....sad.

otherside

ibfubar2000 devulged alot of information in detail about the recall and I agree with his perspective on dealing with it. I can pretty much guarantee We will not be replacing any engines in our area. Yes you will get a rental car. If you get an aveo so what, its better than walking (almost). I think it is great that Mazda is stepping up. This is a voluntary recall after all.

alfy28

btw i was jking about putting synthetic oil in the car thinking i would get a new engine :P. im never really am serious about anythng about the 8. any how thnanks for the heads up zoom zoom. btw are we ever going to see antoher rotarty 2 seater :P