nycgps

iTrader: (1)

They will probably charge you an hour of labor to do a compression test.

As for numbers, Im sure you have the right to know. but compression test is not 100% accurate anymore. Some engine had bad numbers, it went to Mazda it turn out to be within spec. So they introduce Vacuum test. It should be able to tell ya right away if the engine is good.

2tone

iTrader: (3)

thanks ny. so i should get a comp test AND a vacuum test to be sure?

here are my thoughts for now. pull the car from the dealer, do the de-carb myself to save money, maybe check the sparks and coils but hopefully they're fine. the 2 power loss issues were random, and about 6 months apart. i have 10 months left on my p/t warranty, so there's really no rush for me to figure this out right away, ya know? so i think i'll pull it, de-carb myself, then live with it for a few months. if it happens again, or more frequently, i'll bring it in a get the tests done right away, b/c that probably means engine failure. but if it doesn't happen at all, then i can just smile, and take it in when my p/t warranty is almost up and pay for the testing then!! i mean, why break the bank now when it's a random problem and i have more time to draw it out?!

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I think you should keep complaining about power loss at another dealership until they go ahead and run the test.

Then you will have something on the record, in case anything happens in the future, u will have a case.

2tone

iTrader: (3)

mazda na update:

got a hold of na today, the rep was nice, but she didn't know **** about the car. she called the dealer, talked to the service manager and basically confirmed the story. basically, b/c it's a tsb and not a recall, the p/t warranty doesn't cover it. she said it's to prevent anyone and everyone from coming in any given day and saying 'de-carb and test my engine, i felt power loss' ... which i get. but my counter argument was, my problem has been documented as far back as 6-8 months ago, when i DID have the full warranty, and it's not my fault mazda just now brought out a new tsb to potentially alleviate the problem! she didn't care for that, ha ha. so she said to take up the possibility of a comp'd compression test w/ the dealer, but the de-carb was categorized as maintenance, and being out of warranty it's not covered.

the funny part was when the dealer quoted her that it would cost me $250 to do the de-carb, and that's all i needed done. they told me originally that i had to get the de-carb AND new spark plugs, totally $360 ... F that, they totally tried to scam an extra $100+ by selling me spark plugs. THAT, is shady. I'll be picking my car up tomorrow from this dealer...

2tone

iTrader: (3)

that's a good point. i might take it to the original dealer where i complained of power loss ... that'll take the dealer-to-dealer talk out of the equation. if i go to them and say, 'look, you tested this months ago and said it was fine, but it's not, so you can at least test it' ... maybe that'll work....

robrecht

I don't think it's an issue of bumper to bumper vs powertrain warranties. Neither automatically covers a TSB. But if the power loss issue is real, the dealer will do the TSB as part of the powertrain warranty. The problem is only getting the dealer to take your power loss issue seriously. That's why it's wise to talk to different dealer service departments. If you had this complaint looked at previously by a different dealer, yes, I'd go back to them. Go to as many as you want. Even write a letter to Mazda NA to document your powerloss complaint now before your powertrain warranty runs out.

2tone

iTrader: (3)

latest and greatest:

around 11am i got a call from the service manager at the dealer ... finally! i was literally going to go there at lunch to pull my car from them. he wasn't he nicest guy in the world, but he was direct and explained the situation fully, unlike the na rep and the service tech.

so, for those of us outside the main warranty, but within the p/t warranty .......

tsb's are not recalls. they are not mandatory, they are just to possibly "help" you maintain your car. as such, they are NOT covered under the p/t warranty. however, if you (like i did) have documented compliants pertaining to the issue that the tsb addresses, then you'll be in the following situation: you have to pay for the tsb, BUT, if the tsb does not alleviate the issue, THEN mazda na will fix it at no cost AND reimburse you for the original tsb billing. that makes sense to me, and i'm ok with it.

the other issue i had to take up with him was the lack of clarification of what they were going to do. the na rep said the de-carb was $250, and that was it. the serv mngr said it's $250 for the entire tsb, including the de-carb, re-flash, and all the appropriate testing (vacuum, compression, etc.). my initial concern was they would to the de-carb, then do a "drive-test" and say it was fine, thus sticking me with the bill b/c the issue was "fixed". but the do a full test for that price, and will give me concrete info whether the engine's numbers are good or it needs to be replaced.

sigh, i'll update tomorrow when i get the numbers back...thanks again for everyone's input.

dmc27

I can't really argue with his explanation. My initial thought was pretty much right along those line - Mazda can't just pay for the de-carb TSB work for every 8 owner who walks in and says the words "power loss" or "hard-start."

Ask for copies of all the info so you have the results in hand - print outs, not just in Mazda's/Dealership records. Just make sure they are testing before & after the decarb, so you know if it even made any difference.

2tone

iTrader: (3)

I can't either. i can see everyone coming in saying "do this, i swear i had power loss". my main beef was two fold:

1. b/c i had the issue documented earlier, BEFORE the tsb came out, then mazda "fixes" the issue 2 months after my full warranty expires, i feel like i should be comp'd by na for the whole process. essentially, i am being punished because mazda couldn't figure the issue out sooner, ya know? i see how it's there to prevent new ppl from just showing up claiming power loss, but having had the issue before, i should be grandfathered into tsb, i think.

and 2. they just weren't clear at first. i'm fine with paying $250 for the full tsb, with the possibility of it being comp'd if my engine is toast; but originally they said 360, then they said 250 for the "de-carb" only, without explaining that it would actually cover the entire tsb (testing, reflash, and de-carb).

so anyway, i feel better about the dealer now after talking to the service manager. i'll post tomorrow as soon as i hear something back.

good idea. i made that clear on the phone so i'll make sure to get the papers. oh, w/ regard to the before & after, i made that point too, and he kinda glazed over it. i got the impression that mazda na doesn't care about b & a, all they're concerned about is after the relevant tsb, are the engine's numbers satisfactory or not, at which point they'll decide it's good or that they need to replace it.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

I don't see any barometer vs vacuum readings chart anywhere, did I miss it or is this some top secret Mazda mojo ...

2tone

iTrader: (3)

just got word -- na decided the tests were bad enough to put a new motor in! hopefully i'll get it back mid-next week!!

i'll get the specific numbers when i pick it up to share with everyone. dealer said the numbers were "borderline", so good thing mazda na decided to replace it.

suh-weet!!

all that arguing w/ them is now moot, na picks up the bill for the $250 tsb!

Haze

Did they do the tests before or after the decarb or both?

2tone

iTrader: (3)

as far as i know the tests were only done AFTER the de-carb. at which point they were "borderline", and na said put in a new motor.

the dealership called me about 8:20am, saying they faxed in the tests to na last night, and they normally take 24 to 36 hrs to respond. then he called back about 8:45am and said na had already gotten all the info and to put in a re-man! that's fast work!!

Haze

Thanks. Sorry about your engine, but I am very happy for you that it will be covered. As someone who is fully out of all warranties, I am hoping that my engine will not go the same way.

dmc27

It's good to hear that Mazda is taking car of you. Sucks about the engine, but hopefully the new one will work out well.

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

doesn't the testing kit use the stock baro as the reference pressure?... thats what it kinda seems like to me in which case they only need to go by a voltage number

2tone

iTrader: (3)

thanks dmc. it IS good to hear they're taking care of it properly! I'm super relieved.

i WAS hoping i'd be one of the 75k+ on-the-original-engine-owners, but hey, i'll take it while it's under warranty i guess!

i'll post next week once i get behind the wheel...

2tone

iTrader: (3)

thanks for the kind words.

fyi - from 0 to 49k, the only issue i had with my 8 was a faulty cat, which was replaced under warranty somewhere around 20k i think. anyway, i had no other issues or signs of this problem until about 47k - had my first power loss issue. got it tested then, and dealer said it was "good". ran fine for another 2k, about 6 ot 8 months. then had a random power loss again, this time with the marbles-in-a-can. that's where i am now. point being, i sincerely HOPE it doesn't happen to you either, but my seemed to have jumped up out of nowhere i guess i'll never know how much longer I could have lasted on that engine if i hadn't brought it in, but mazda na decided it's bad enough to replace...

oh, i did have 2 or 3 random stalls-at-a-stop-light on a hot day in the past year, but no other real signs of what has happened, until it happened, if that makes sense.

Haze

My car is running well at 66K miles so I can't complain. I haven't done the new reflash yet. I am waiting until I need an oil change so I can do it all at once. Thanks for the response and enjoy that new engine.

robrecht

Glad to hear it. I wouldn't be surprised if your own discussions with Mazda helped them make that quick and responsible decision.

Dominicano

I dont know if they where trying 2 rip you off man but for my TSB they are not charging me anything, including the de-carb i already called and found out. When i asked the service tech he told me it was no charge because it came down from mazda. If you search on some of the forums there have been members still in warranty that have been charged at certain dealers and others that have not. Just giving you a heads up. I used to work a dealer and i know how they can be when it comes up to trying 2 get the custmors money.

XRX8X

it seems so sad at times when we all might get help from the dealer(ya i work for ford) from time to time then when that wro runs out at 50,000 things seem to turn for the worst as far as help.i say this for i am glad i know better and how to get around these fools who think they can charge out the behind for things that were aready covered but they want to charge you for.i am talking about tsb's that seem to pop up at very odd times after the wro is over and the problem comes to light !(sun visor dealer wanted $253.00 to replace!)i never even use the damm thing and the day we get a 75+ temp. the piece of you know what was dropping down like it got shot so i took it down and apart super glued the damm thing and problem solved.this only proves that if you take the time to do it yourself sometimes your better off.sorry bout the long *** thought but these guys really **** me off.

XRX8X

all in all should not the tsb's stay in effect for the life of the car regardless of miles for they know they made the mistake in the fist place and time on defects vary car to car?still blowing off steam!!

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

TSBs are NOT recalls.
They are simply notes to the dealers that cars that come in for other things should be serviced as indicated.
They are designed to help dealers address complaints.

They have no obligation to perform the procedures on out-of-warranty cars.

2tone

iTrader: (3)

well said -- it's that simple.

my main beef WAS that my complaint stemmed back to when i was in warranty, so i didn't like being penalized b/c the tsb came out later than when my problem started. but you're right, it's not a recall.