TALAN7

Well it seems all my speculation was right on. After 3 visits and $1500 Mazda tells me I need a new engine at 98,550 miles. Let me break it down for you.

1. 2 weeks ago my engine light started flashing in the morning and I would get a rough idle. This would go away after a few revs and then rev fine and run fine throughout the day. I took it to Sansone mazda they said I needed a tune up and a new cat. They tried to tell me I needed a new cat last year when all I needed was a o2 sensor. They quoted 2000 for part alone. They offered to sell me the RX8 techs used cat (for 500 cash on the side of course). i said do the tune up, if I needed the cat after I'd think about it. Cost, $738. 2 days later the flashing cel and roough idle returns.

2. I made an appointment with Mazda for Monday. Over the weekend I decided to get my code pulled from Sears. I get P0303 2nd cylinder misfire, nothing regarding cat. I take it in, tell Mazda They tell me I need coils and they perform the tsb where they use the spray to break up the carbon in my engine. Cost $670. Get it back the following morning, lunchtime I go out, flashing cel, rough idle is back. I call Mazda fuming, they tell me to bring it and that whatever it is they'll fix it at no cost.

3. Went to go pick it up this morning, the manager takes me back to have tech tell me they ran some can of stuff through engine 2 or 3 times. Mazda now tells them that apex seals aren't sealing causing the misfire until the engine reaches 65 degrees upon which the rotor expands creating a seal and the engine runs fine. They say I need new motor. Quoted (reman) 4727.37, and a core price of 1000, so 3727.37 for parts and 11 hours for labor at warranty labor price. Comes out to about 1000 labor so back to $4727, almot 5 grand.

I now have Mazda 800 number and am going to try and get Mazda to cover the engine. I will also get another opinion. I used premium gas, I revved it before shutting down, I added oil when needed and I drove her pretty hard on many occasions. I kinda have a lead foot.

Any suggestions? I put $1500 in her and can't afford to put another 5 grand in. Me and my wife are already shooping for a suv (we have a 1 year old) and was going to trade in her 99 Galant with 140,00 miles. I can't sell it needing a new engine. I've got a year left to pay on it. This car has been a pain! Sorry for my raviing but I'm just frustrated.

digitalSniperX1

These are kinda obvious questions, but I'm guessing if you answer yes to these then you may have a chance at them covering the new engine. Manufacturers do that when they know they have an issue.

1. Have you had the car serviced at that dealer since you owned it? If not, have you been maintaining all your service records? Are you the original owner?
2. Have you followed their maintenance schedule precisely (or better)...i.e. 5w20, severe service schedules?

Minimally, that dealership should give you back the 1500 you've spent on their experiments. I'd argue that one loudly resulting in a disputing the charges with my credit card company (that may not work, but it's worth a try) if you can't get a satisfactory agreement.

It seems to me that Mazda specifically outlines exactly how and what should be diagnosed with these cars when they act up as yours has. That 1500 dollars somewhat indicates they were not following Mazda's directions.

TALAN7

This dealer and one other before I moved. I kept all of my paper work I think. I did a couple oil changes out side and probably have that paperwork. I am original owner.

Nubo

$670 is ridiculous for working a can of cleaner through the engine, but there's labor and it ain't cheap. Since it ultimately needs to be replaced, I'd agree that Mazda should eat the cost of their wrong guesses if you do go ahead and get the reman through them.

But, unless you have some extended warranty I can't see how at 100,000 miles you expect a new engine for free.

Check elsewhere in the forums, places like Mazmart, iirc you may be able to get a much higher quality rebuild for significantly less than Mazda wants.

digitalSniperX1

Let me say this. Any manufacturer who doesn't cover engine damage known to be a problem with their design. that was maintained by one of its dealerships, would never get my business again. Furthermore, they are not a reputable company unless of course they tell you up front the engine won't last but 100,000 miles, if you're lucky.

I owned a Saturn SL1. I opened the hood one day to check the oil and noted that oil had gotten into the radiator (I could see it through the translucent radiator fill container). I brought the car to Saturn, it had 95,000 miles on it. They said....cracked cylinder head near a camshaft journal and it's a KNOWN problem and they fixed it....for free.

Now, the question remains; "Does Mazda back its products as well as a lowly company like Saturn (GM)? "

If they don't fix your engine, the answer is a plain and simple "No".

Romeo

I rebuilt mine for about 2.5k a grand for labor
pricey, but cheaper than 5-6k Mazda will charge you.

xsnipersgox

dosen't mazmart or something do engine rebuilds? for like starting at 2k i think + core.

digitalSniperX1

If Mazda dealers are not required to maintain a maintenance database on its customers cars....perhaps someone other than a Henry Ford descendant and one that knows something about computers should be running Ford/Mazda.

In other words, having papers or not, your current dealership should have access to ALL maintenance performed on your vehicle from ALL Mazda dealers that have touched it. I'd chalk it up as absurd if they don't.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Dude, First mistake.

Why the HELL did u paid 670 for that "Engine clean up" ???

I hope you know that the *cleaner* that they use, Mazda Engine Cleaner, you can get it for 20 bux (I got a bottle.)

and labor ... lol ! All you need is just take the nipple on the side out, take 2 connectors out, then have someone crank the engine while the dude holding the cleaner (me) press the button down ...

man, if u're willing to pay for my gas and toll and the cost of the cleaner maybe an extra beer, I can just come over and do it for u, its only 1 hour drive from where I live. (if you really live in Roselle, NJ) but too late now.

Do you have MSN or AIM kind of stuff? Lets talk about this online, PM me ur info

TALAN7

That price include new coils

TALAN7

Where? Details please!

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Thats STILL nuts.

110 bux can get u 4 brand new coils

and 20 bux for cleaner ...

It takes about maybe 1 hour something to do all ... assume u have the 10mm socket, extension bar and a rachet ...

Took this pic couple days ago ... dont have time to put them on yet ...

Dive Bum

Just reading over the OP.... check this TSB out:

Romeo

There here in California.

Lucky 7 Racing located at............. um... El Monte, Ca.

they do really good work, small shop. all they do is rotary.

I over paid for labor cuz I had a buddy do a custom install with some other ****, but Lucky 7 charges about 2.5k for the motor with new seals and everything, new rotars, and like $700 to pull the motor out, do the work and put it all back in :D

but like I said, there here in California.

Romeo

yeah, I wouldnt go and get a new motor till you have no other choice.

I think my car could have been saved before I just jumped the gun and got a new motor.
sometimes you think a problem is 1 thing and it ends up being the gas cap not clicked 3 times! lol

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

sent ya email.

Romeo

my car was running rich on top end and would sputter so i bought new coils. $100. put them in (very simple install). and................. didnt fix the problem.

Ive learned now to research the **** out of things before letting my wallet lead the way.

Ive put so much junk money into my car its not even funny....
..... not sure why it would be funny in the 1st place... but its not even funny.....

Troubleshoot it troubleshoot it troubleshoot it.

I trouble shat my car till I found all the little bugs inside of it (and still at it)

Romeo

what does the 'Engine Cleaner' actually do?

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

it cleans the engine.

google seafoam.

TALAN7

yeah it's a can with a straw on it that they spray into the fuel line uor engine. They did me to or 3 times and asked Mazda if they should do it again upon which Mazda said no, the apex seals are fouled.

TALAN7

They told me I could drive it after it warms up to65 degrees but the plugs keep getting carboned up.

Celronx

iTrader: (1)

Don't buy their reman. Those things are, or were, supposed to be pretty bad. If it really does need to be rebuilt have it done somewhere you can trust. Much cheaper and you'll have a better motor in the end.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

They're full of ****.

I wonder did they even *clean* the engine right in the first place.

Cuz they're not suppose to just *spray* the whole can. They should just spray some, let it rest for an hour, clean, and spray again. I doubt they did that.

Dont get Mazda's Reman,

check ur pm.

digitalSniperX1

Not so fast on buying another engine, even if it is better.

Get your 1500 dollars back and demand that Mazda do it (assuming you have followed the manual). Regardless of what Mazda does, you should get ALL of that 1500 back. They did not repair your car.

Oh, and I'm not saying the owners manual is gospel with these engines. I am saying, if you've not done what they said, then they have that to blame, and not the engine's design flaws (which apparently it has).

FYI, Consumer Reports indicates a much worse than average repair record for RX8 engines years 2003-2006. That's a statistically significant study they do and not based upon what your uncle's best friend's RX8 which blew up.

Cite that to your dealership and Mazda when they try to deny you a rebuilt engine.

TALAN7

I think I'm just going to cut my losses and see what the bank and Mazda can do to get me into a new Mazda. The thing is, I have a 1 year old and we were waiting for our return to buy a crossover for the family. We've been looking at th CX-7 and CX-9. The plan was to maybe buy one of those for her to drive to work. I would then have my 8 and her old Galant to drive so I didn't have to put too many miles on my 8. If I trade my 8 for a crossover I'll be stuck with driving a 99 Galant with no 8 for weekends or whenever, that sucks. We can't afford 2 cars either. Me thinks my sport car days are numbered.