Major engine problem
01-10-2013, 07:26 AM
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Major engine problem
Hi Guys, Please assist. My 2005 RX8 (Spain) engine blew 5 months ago. It had a complete new engine and cooling system. It since broke down and it was sourced as a old water pipe. Again it has broke down no power and now I am told it is 4 "bombinas" (I have it translated as distributors + cables). I have so far spent 7000 euro on the engine replacement etc, now they want a further 1100 euro?? They have also sat that the CAT looks bad. Will it ever end?
01-10-2013, 07:31 AM
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Shoveling money at a dealer to try to fix it rarely gets anyone anywhere with the RX-8.
I assume from the translation that they are referring to your ignition. How old are the coils, wires, and plugs? They typically fail every 30,000 miles or so (~45,000kms?) Most dealers and other shops are only aware of the need to replace wires and plugs, and don't know about the coils.
Coils are easy to change and cost ~$120-130 USD here (unknown what your conversion rate would be, and any market variances in price you will have). Failing ignition (which can happen at the coils, wires, or plugs) will fry your cat very quickly, and if your cat becomes clogged and it isn't addressed (removed, gutted, or replaced) then sensor damage, engine damage, and possibly car fires can result.
What are your emissions regulations like?
I assume from the translation that they are referring to your ignition. How old are the coils, wires, and plugs? They typically fail every 30,000 miles or so (~45,000kms?) Most dealers and other shops are only aware of the need to replace wires and plugs, and don't know about the coils.
Coils are easy to change and cost ~$120-130 USD here (unknown what your conversion rate would be, and any market variances in price you will have). Failing ignition (which can happen at the coils, wires, or plugs) will fry your cat very quickly, and if your cat becomes clogged and it isn't addressed (removed, gutted, or replaced) then sensor damage, engine damage, and possibly car fires can result.
What are your emissions regulations like?
01-10-2013, 08:06 AM
#3
Unfortunately you over paid for all the services performed on your car, that's often the case in europe.
They're indeed referring to the coils. They're overly expensive here so just buy them from the US along with new wires and spark plugs (way cheaper in the US). Since they don't last that long some companies such as BHR offer upgraded coil kits that will probably outlast your car.
Catalytic converters die as riwwp pointed out. Don't even think about buying a Mazda one, it costs over 1000€. Contact BrainKat in Italy and buy one of their replacements, it's way cheaper
On a sidenote, don't follow the scheduled maintenance routine found on your owner's manual. It's plain bullshit. Divide the service intervals by at least 2.
They're indeed referring to the coils. They're overly expensive here so just buy them from the US along with new wires and spark plugs (way cheaper in the US). Since they don't last that long some companies such as BHR offer upgraded coil kits that will probably outlast your car.
Catalytic converters die as riwwp pointed out. Don't even think about buying a Mazda one, it costs over 1000€. Contact BrainKat in Italy and buy one of their replacements, it's way cheaper
On a sidenote, don't follow the scheduled maintenance routine found on your owner's manual. It's plain bullshit. Divide the service intervals by at least 2.
01-10-2013, 10:04 AM
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Thank you both for your replies. The dealership said 2 had gone and best to replace other 2, so advice please? Can you also send me link to BHR and a link for Brainkat not in Italian or a direct link please? I am gutted as it is my wifes car and she loves it!
01-10-2013, 10:23 AM
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Unfortunately, any symptom that has anything to with power loss, idle stability, stumbling power, etc... could be any one of a LONG list.
If you haven't replaced your coils in the last ~45,000kms/30,000miles, order 4 of those.
If you haven't replaced your plug wires in the last ~45,000kms/30,000miles, order 1 set of those (4 in a box)
If you haven't replaced your plugs in the last ~45,000kms/30,000miles, order 4 of those (2 leading plugs, 2 trailing plugs).
If you are going with OEM parts and want to be sure you get the correct parts, call up Mazmart and he can make sure you get the exact parts you need, and you will not be steered wrong or overcharged. (or a local parts store for you, though bse said it's probably still better ordering from the US? I can't provide reliable advice on that point)
If you are going with BHR's ignition kit, you will get coils and wires in the kit, and you can add in the plugs as well if needed. If you add the plugs, you will get the correct plugs.
While you are waiting for those, or if you have replaced all of those recently, clean the e-shaft sensor and the MAF sensor.
If you still have problems, come on back with some more details. You will not have wasted the money on the ignition parts, because they are needed regularly as part of normal maintenance. If your ignition is old though, there will be largely nothing we can do to pinpoint the problem because ignition health is SO critical to these cars.
If you haven't replaced your coils in the last ~45,000kms/30,000miles, order 4 of those.
If you haven't replaced your plug wires in the last ~45,000kms/30,000miles, order 1 set of those (4 in a box)
If you haven't replaced your plugs in the last ~45,000kms/30,000miles, order 4 of those (2 leading plugs, 2 trailing plugs).
If you are going with OEM parts and want to be sure you get the correct parts, call up Mazmart and he can make sure you get the exact parts you need, and you will not be steered wrong or overcharged. (or a local parts store for you, though bse said it's probably still better ordering from the US? I can't provide reliable advice on that point)
If you are going with BHR's ignition kit, you will get coils and wires in the kit, and you can add in the plugs as well if needed. If you add the plugs, you will get the correct plugs.
While you are waiting for those, or if you have replaced all of those recently, clean the e-shaft sensor and the MAF sensor.
If you still have problems, come on back with some more details. You will not have wasted the money on the ignition parts, because they are needed regularly as part of normal maintenance. If your ignition is old though, there will be largely nothing we can do to pinpoint the problem because ignition health is SO critical to these cars.
Last edited by RIWWP; 01-10-2013 at 10:25 AM.
01-15-2013, 04:22 AM
#11
Send him a private message or email at Paul (at) Mazmart.com , I don't think i ever needed their website to place an order. Paul is great at dealing with his customers directly via mail!
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