oh boy...here we go again

 

If I want to take the car to the dealer but I haven't gotten any letter in the mail to take it there. Can I still just take it there? I got a letter for the emissions recall, but I never got one for this recall. Thanks

 

you can call and ask them to look up your vin to see if you need the recall, then just take it in

 

I'm confused.

This thread is about the 'emissions recall'. So if you've had that done, then you're all set. What recall are you thinking of?

But either way if you call your dealership & give your vin they will tell you if there are ANY open recalls on your 8.

EDIT - ok part of the confusion is cuz I'm a dumass. You just got the letter for the emissions recall. There is only 1 recall, and that's what your letter is about. This whole thread (2000+ posts, damn) about the engine/oil metering stuff IS the emission recall.

 

I'm in Michigan, and still have not received ANYTHING about this.

And my car is running great.

 

Lol Sorry about the mess up, I thought there were different recalls.

 

Mazda made it more confusing than it needed to be. They're the ones who decided to call it an "emissions recall" when it really wasn't. Prlly just to sound better to the consumer. The majority of 8 owners prlly still have no idea that some engines have been replaced based on the recall testing.

 

Just took mine in for the 4206F. Hadnt sooner because I have been travelling a lot, and so wasnt driving it. My wife could have, but she doesnt drive stick so well.

Anyways, got a POS Chevy Malibu for a rental.... asked about the CX-7, yeah uh no I guess.

Hopefully they at least wash and top the gas off.

Damn dealers.

 

I talked to the service department at the Pensacola dealership yesterday. I had already had my test done (my manual passed). I asked about the cars that had been recalled and was told that only automatics brought to the dealership had required a new engine; no manuals. I'm not sure the percentage of automatics that had needed a new engine.

 

I wonder what percentage of engines on all RX-8's were replaced. Judging from what I read here, I'd guess, what... 65% - 70%?

 

Just when I thougt it was safe to go outside again. Somebody tell me when the sky is done falling . . .

 

Newbe type question here - do the new 2007 models have something intrinsically new/different in their rotary engines? Did Mazda improved/changed the engine once they started doing the replacement of engine in the older cars?

Will

 

The simple answer is yes - your 07 will be fine.

The longer, more honest answer is - we'll see. The current ECU settings *should* take care of the problem w/oil metering, lubrication, and seal protection (and maybe CAT clogging). But when it comes right down to it we really won't know for sure for a while if those corrections will be enough to *completely* eliminate the issues.

But the % of affected 8s is very small.

 

Actually, the answer is no. Engine is the same. It's the ECU programming that's different.

 

The engine was not the problem—the ECU programming was. And that was changed.

 

Thank you guys

As with many questions, this was a loaded question. Let me explain ...

I would of course love to buy a new RX8, specially now with the rebates, MAC financing, etc., but I am also considering an used RX8 that already has taken the depreciation hit - something close to $20K used would be great!

From my research, these are the things I care about:
- 6-speed manual
- DSC/stability control
- the 18" rims/tires
- no sunroof
- Red, White, or Black would be the only colors for me
That is it. I don't need/care for anything else at this point.

Ideally an RX8 Sport 6-speed manual with the 6-speed Performance Package would be almost perfect for a new car, except for the 18" rims/tires - can these be ordered as an option? Do dealers actually order/stock "plain and simple" cars like the one I describe here?

Will

 

I'd guess, what. . . maybe 1/10 th of that.

 

^^ Base model has no DSC. I don't think any 6MT's came w/17 inch wheels, but I may be wrong (& if I am it prlly was AT and Base model MT that came w/17s.) Basically - I don't think you can find MT & DSC w/o 18 inch wheels.

You shouldn't have any issues finding what you want used for under 20k. GL

 

Yeah.. I'm in Michigan as well and I didn't get any recall letters....

But I took my 8 to get the work done anyways to my local dealership.....Just told them I wan't the recall done back in September, and they changed the plugs and re-programed the ECU.

 

I purchased my 2006 BRAND new it had the DSC feature, 18 inch rims, cloth, no sunroof, in Winning Blue metallic. So yes, you can get that straight from the dealer depending on what they have in stock at that particular dealership.

-Jim

 

I also have not received the recall notice. I did get the other letter stating that the drivetrain warranty had been extended, so I know they have my addy in their system. Should I get the work done now, or put it off? I've been pre-mixing for quite a while now, so I have more lubrication than stock...and I live in Wisconsin, so heat is not much of an issue either. My thought was that as long as I haven't received the letter and have had no problems, I might as well wait. That way, if I do have issues later on they may still be covered by the recall.

 

Kind of a catch 22, but the new flash changes the lubrication with the intention of preventing the issues that have lead to engines crapping out. So it seems to me that it's in the best interest of your engine to have it done. But others have expressed the same sentiment as you - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

It's your call.

 

Well after reading a lot of comments by people who have had similar problems as I have, I am feeling a little less lonely in my RX-8 trauma. I have a 2005 with over 60,000 miles on it. The first of this year, it started acting pretty funny -- idling really rough and just generally not feeling right. In March, the terror started. Since then, it's been at the dealership at least 6 weeks out of the past 4 months. The problem is that it will, on occasion, decide that it does not want to be on any longer. I will be stopped at a stoplight and the rough idle will start to get pretty bad, and all of a sudden it will turn itself off. This has happened eight times and in very unsafe and inconvenient situations. Of course, the dealerships (I tried four) did not know what to do for the longest time. Just yesterday, they decided to replace my engine.

So this is to answer one person's question from much earlier. I did have the recall mentioned to me last year, but the tech said they did some sort of test and my car did not need a new engine. Well... now we see how that played out. The question was whether Mazda would pay for a new engine if someone's car had not needed it then but later on down the road would. In my experience, after much much trouble, they are agreeing to.

 

Good to know.

So to be clear: You had no problems. Took it in for the recall & they did 'test' it - do you know if they did the vacuum test? Not sure how much of this monster thread you read thru, but most times there was no vacuum test done UNLESS the owner had previously reported some of the issues you had this year. So I'm curious if they tested your 8 or just checked the plugs & re-flashed the computer. (it would give you instant supercool status if you could find out & let us know )

& now they are replacing your engine at no charge & out of warranty, right?

almost forgot - Welcome to the club!

 

Okay, I did not start having any problems until the beginning of this year, and even then it was just that the car was feeling really funny. No mechanic would have listened to any girl or woman come in complaining of that, so I left it alone. Then in March it did the whole idling extremely rough, troulbe accelerating, and eventually cutting off in the middle of the road.

They had mentioned the recall to me last year (around Sept?) when I went for the ever-often oil change. The only person I got to talk to was the person who gets and returns your keys to you, and her explanations were not very helpful. It was awhile back, but if I remember correctly, she told me that the technician took the car for a quick -- very quick -- drive to see if it was exhibiting any of the symptoms. It was not at the time. To the best of my knowledge, they did not do a vacuum test, and I didn't know any better to make certain they did.

To answer your other question, my car is still under warranty because I purchased an extended 100,000 mile warranty (because I was driving it so much). However, I think they would still be replacing my engine even if I didn't because it relates to the recall -- which is their responsibility. I'm not sure. That's something that the dealership and the Mazda corporate people (or whoever) had to work out. I think they ultimately got sick of having me pull up every week or two needing my car to be in the shop for another week -- with no results. It also became a huge liability for me to be driving on the interstate every day in stop and go traffic with the possibility that the car would shut off there. There would have been some SERIOUS repercussions if I had gotten hurt as a result of this problem.

But it's all such a shame, because I really did love that car. Now I just have a bad taste in my mouth. I am looking to replace the car and was eyeing the CX-7, but I'll probably never buy another Mazda now. I guess the smart thing to do is to keep the RX-8 for at least awhile since it will have a brand new engine, but it still makes me nervous. Hope that answers your questions!