Car flooding beyond 60k (warranty). Roadside Assistance beyond 50k. Covered?
 

So this morning my RX8 didnt start. I'm 99% sure its flooded yet again. This is the 4th time in the 3 years ive owned it.

I called roadside but the guy told me that mazda will not cover the tow because my car has 51k and they only cover until 50k.

Since my car is covered under warranty until 60k, will Mazda still pay (or reimburse me) for the tow and a rental?

Thanks for the info!


[edit] I got the car started, but still have doubts and questions about this issue beyond the warranty coverage on both the 60k mazda powertrain and the 50k roadside assistance [edit] read below....

Just ask one of your friends to hook your car to an SUV and pull start it. Works every time. It will de-flood your engine in a few seconds second. It is the best way to get it running again.

Bit of a waste of time getting it towed - if you spend five minutes reading the owners manual you should find the "deflood proceedure" in there ....

rotorocks - where is the front towing point ? I've been pulled out of sand traps at the track a few times and they always have trouble finding somewhere to attach the tow rope

hah GENIUS!! I got it started! Push started it. I could of sworn I tried this the first time she flooded with no success.

Now, question is... is everything ok? Spark plugs... etc. Car sounded fine... she stalled once when I tried turning around about 30 secs after the push start but I then took her for a drive, warmed her up... rev'ed it at a steady 3k then turned it off. Started it again just fine although there was a hint of burned clutch smell, probably from reving and slow clutch depressing.

do i have nothing to worry about? or does it still need to go to the dealer?

Further...

So now that the car started. I current have ~52k miles on my rx8. Of course I am already looking into considering and extended warranty, but...

Does mazda cover the charges for a flooded rx8 after the 60k mile warranty is expired?

How about mazda reimbursing you for the tow after the 50k roadside assistance has expired. I called RSA with 51k miles on the car and they said the tow would cost me $73 because they only cover up to 50k under the RSA program.

Any stories about cars flooding beyond the 50 and 60k miles point.

Thanks in advance...

Flooded
 

Hey,i've Got 57k Miles On My 2004 Rx-8 And Called Roadside Assistance To Get Towed Cuz My Car Was Flooded Also.they Said They Couldn't Help Cuz I Was Past 50k So I Called Mazda Customer Service Line And They Got On The Horn With Roadside Assistance-"which Is An Independant Co." From Mazda And Mazda Got Them To Tow It To My Dealer And Now I've Got A New Engine Going In Cuz It Had No Compression,thats Why It Flooded..it Took A Little Bit Of Phone Work But Mazda Did Say That Sometimes The Road Assistance Line Isn't Up To Date Sometimes..just Some Fyi

Mine flooded on me last about six months ago. 2004 with 94k on the odometer at the time, not only would Mazda not cover the tow they wouldn't cover the de-flood nor other work required due to wear from this and previous flooding incidents.

De-flood plus new starter, battery, two (trailing side) spark plugs and an oil change ran me $1200.00 US plus another 50 for towing. They did cover the parts and labor for the leading plugs under some kind of recall (Yay...).

I'll keep my RX and drive it till the wheels fall off (at the rate i'm going, that won't be long). But I'll never buy another Mazda vehicle nor any other vehicle from that dealership.

Why would you expect them to keep accepting warranty charges after the warranty expiration? The original warranty which includes towing and rentals only goes to 50K. Powertrain goes another 10K - no loaners or towing. Call AAA or your insurance. When I had Geico they had a roadside assistance plan for one or two dollars a month. Included locking your keys in your car which saved my butt and $125. Well worth it.

BTW, this isn't a Mazda issue, it's a rotary issue. Mazda already made good with a TSB for a new starter, battery & plugs.

Mine cost me $7.....for the entire 12 month policy.

i feel bad for your dealer. did you honestly think that MAZDA/your dealer would go good for a warranty claim on a user error. WHEN YOU ARE DOUBLE THE MILEAGE AND POSSIBLY THE TIME PERIOD ALSO.

if you let your car warm up and dont do a quick start and stop you chances are wont have issues with flooding. im not personally attacking you but this is a known issue with a rotary motor. ITS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, i feel like its not following the guidelines of your maintence schedule when your car floods.
This car isnt a honda civic or a 350z its needs some tlc, you need to stay on top of plug changes and coils.. and the like.

end of my rant.

In the trunk (somewhere) you have a little kit. Inside it there are a couple of tow hooks that are threaded on one end. There is a threaded hole on the front and the rear of the car that these screw into. Every rotary for at least the past 29 years has had tow hooks!

Unfortunately my repairs weren't covered under the TSB. It was already out of mileage limits so saying they 'Made Good' is BS.

The only one made good on this deal is Mazda. If it's a known issue repairs/fixes should be covered period end of story.

I thought 24 hour roadside assistant was 60k? and 100k for extended? I could be wrong

Rant all you want, but as a matter of fact the issue with flooding is NOT in my owners manual. I was first made aware of this 'known issue' the second time my RX was into the dealership for a flooding problem in the form of a TSB and a manual addendum handed to me by the shop foreman. Explain to me how exactly I am supposed to follow recommendations I am not aware of?

a TSB is a Technical Service Bulletin, not a recall, not a warranty. It is just to inform those working at the dealership of a new procedure, part or part number.

I was under the impression there was a TSB recommending replacing the original starter with one having a higher torque and a higher output battery since the original equipment was deemed a contributor to the flooding problem.

If that information is correct then I stand by my assertion that Mazda released a defective product that should have been repaired regardless of warranty status.

If my information is incorrect please tell me and I'll rethink my position.

Stop whining and do some searches. This is what you'll find...
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...48-06-1691.pdf

Cross reference your VIN with page 7 (or 8) above. Does it match? Then get under your car and check the # on the starter. If you've got an old school starter call Mazda and complain. If your starter # is kosher then replace it. It's a wear part.

Now read page 11, print and put in your owners manual. BTW, page 7-20 of your owners manual describes flooding.

Brettus, see attached.

ahhhhh - many thanks savedsol . That will save much greif next time . I never got an owners manual with mine so probably would never have found the little removable plastic inserts without that pic. Only problem is that I have tied up my RB duct through the tow holes :(

and to the OP :

flooding
 

MY RX8 just flooded, I just did what I use to do with rx7's, pulled the fuel pump fuse and turn the motor over for about 10 seconds, then put the fuse back in--and she started up striaght away.
Brettus--cheers for posting that page, haven't read the manual yet, may be a good time to read it...lol

would make sense to know how to deflood and change the plugs yourself.