BLACKOUT

In an attempt to trend the issues with the 8's I will be compiling a list and publish the results once we have a sampling. Please provide the following data for the poll.

Build date-2004

Current mileage-34,000 (however had trans issues since 10k)

ecu flash level
Any issues with the previous level? NO
Any issues with the current level? NO

MT or AT. MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? YES
Issue with gears? 5th gear not engaging clean and grindingon high RPM downshift.
Issue with the clutch?
Issue with the T/O bearing?
Issue with noise? YES
Issue with flywheel
Issue with harmonic balance?

Tires on the car
Issues with alignment?
Issues with balance
Issues with cupping on the inside?

Any aftermarket mods
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? Aftermarket mods but none that affect any of the problems i have.

Driving style normal or aggressive- normal to spirited at times. take it to redline periodicly however usually keep it from 3k-5k range for driving.

Driving cycle - %city % highway- 40%city 60%highway

Issues the car has been in for

Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth
Any issues with the motor? syncro. RoyalPurple

Transmission oil - Dino or synth
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? Noise was getting gradually worse and grinding more and more shifting to 5th so about 5k ago i drained the trans and put Royal Purple in and the noise and shift issue dissipated. Until oct.5th and goin from reverse to first box turned to sludge feeling and when put into gear started hearing a loud metalic swirling from the gearbox. Still waiting for the reply to this from mazda

Diff oil - dino or synth
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?- synth

BostonSE3P

Current mileage- 22780

ecu flash level- not sure just bought the car a couple months ago and i dont know how to check
Any issues with the previous level?
Any issues with the current level?

MT or AT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? yes it grinds in second, forth and sixth
Issue with gears?2nd 4th and 6th
Issue with the clutch?makes noise when in neutral and clutch pedal isnt down
Issue with the T/O bearing? A grinding sound when clutch pedal isnt pressed
Issue with noise?
Issue with flywheel
Issue with harmonic balance?

Tires on the car
Issues with alignment?
Issues with balance
Issues with cupping on the inside?

Any aftermarket mods
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? I have a cat-back exhaust, it doesnt effect anything

Driving style normal or aggressive- normal driving

Driving cycle - %city % highway-75% city and 25% highway

Issues the car has been in for CEL

Outstanding issues-None

Engine oil - dino or synth-Dino
Any issues with the motor? No but i found out there is going to be a recall on all 04 and 05 engine

Transmission oil - Dino or synth-Stock oil
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?I didn't cause i dont want to void my warranty

Diff oil - dino or synth
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?

Body - Any issues? bent in the door

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? My seat squeaks

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?I have a lot of brake squeakl

Soravia

Build date - 2003 Nov

Current mileage - 50K

ecu flash level - Dec 2006
Any issues with the previous level? - None on record
Any issues with the current level? - None so far. Can start from stalled engine stop.

MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? - 3rd grinds when shifting up at 30MPH to 40MPH. Doesn't not grind above 40MPH. 4th gear has similar issue.
Issue with gears? - Yes
Issue with the clutch? - Not sure, clutch seems fine on all other gears.
Issue with the T/O bearing? - Not sure. Seems to work on all other gears.
Issue with noise? - No noise.
Issue with flywheel - No issue.
Issue with harmonic balance? - WTF is that?

Tires on the car - Stock size replacement Yokohama/Kumho tires.
Issues with alignment? - None.
Issues with balance - None.
Issues with cupping on the inside? - None.

Any aftermarket mods - None
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? - N/A

Driving style normal or aggressive - Normal. 3000- 7000 rpm.

Driving cycle - 30%city 70% highway

Issues the car has been in for - Most Recalls including Ball-Joint, Damper Heat-Shield, ECU flash. Fuel Tank repair.

Outstanding issues - Tire Pressure sensor

Engine oil - Castrol GTX 5w-30
Any issues with the motor? None so far.

Transmission oil - Possibly stock.
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? - No change so far.

Diff oil - Possibly stock.
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? - No change so far.

Body - No Issues.

Interior - Only my key chain rattles.

Brakes - Time fro another pad replacement. No noise.

thered1996

Build date 07/03

Current mileage 60,200

ecu flash level not sure, was done in Jan 2007
Any issues with the previous level? no
Any issues with the current level? no

MT or AT - MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? None
Issue with gears? None
Issue with the clutch? None
Issue with the T/O bearing? None
Issue with noise? Some, in neutral clutch out
Issue with flywheel None
Issue with harmonic balance? None

Tires on the car Pirelli P-Zero Nero
Issues with alignment? None
Issues with balance? None
Issues with cupping on the inside? No

Any aftermarket mods Not really - KN air filter
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? No

Driving style normal or aggressive - somewhat agressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway 90/10

Issues the car has been in for - water pump, tires, failed coil packs, burned out catalytic converter

Outstanding issues - none

Engine oil - dino
Any issues with the motor? slightly rough idle

Transmission oil - Dino
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? Not yet changed

Diff oil - dino
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? Not yet changed

Body - Any issues? none

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? door sill clips never fit properly, front two center console slide parts failed by 30K miles, minor rattles all around

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? had to replace at 35K (used Hawk pads), rotors slightly warped by 25K miles but not yet bad enough to replace

staticlag

Build date Aug 2003

Current mileage 39K

ecu flash level - Racing Beat
Any issues with the previous level? - No
Any issues with the current level? - No engine immobilizer, CEL

MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?
Yes, broken
Issue with gears? 6th
Issue with the clutch? Chatter
Issue with the T/O bearing?
Issue with noise? Whine from rebuild
Issue with flywheel? No
Issue with harmonic balance? No

Tires on the car
Issues with alignment? No
Issues with balance? balance weights came off at track day
Issues with cupping on the inside? no

Any aftermarket mods
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?



Driving style normal or aggressive aggressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway 40/60

Issues the car has been in for
leaky windshield
transmission rebuild



Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth 90% synth, 10% dino
Any issues with the motor? No

Transmission oil - Dino or synth synth
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?
No

Diff oil - dino or synth Synth
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?
No

Body - Any issues?

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc
Climate Control cracked

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?
No

Q121825

Build date 11/03

Current mileage 120,000

ecu flash level? Unknown, last flash Nov 2006
Any issues with the previous level? no
Any issues with the current level? no

MT or AT - MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? None
Issue with gears? None
Issue with the clutch? None
Issue with the T/O bearing? None
Issue with noise? Some, in neutral clutch out
Issue with flywheel None
Issue with harmonic balance? None

Tires on the car:: General Exclaim UHP
Issues with alignment? None
Issues with balance? None
Issues with cupping on the inside? No

Any aftermarket mods? None

Driving style normal or aggressive - somewhat agressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway 15/85

Issues the car has been in for - Replaced failed O2 sensor at 9k miles and that's been it

Outstanding issues - SSV stuck open CEL

Engine oil - dino
Any issues with the motor? slightly rough idle

Transmission oil - Synth, changed ever 60k
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? No issues

Diff oil - Synth, changed every 60k
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? No issues

Body - Any issues? None except for idiots in parking lots, one minor dent on front passenger wheel well.

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? The center console slide never really held well, minor rattle somewhere in the dash.

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? Pads replaced at 35k, new RacingBrake discs installed at 70k with Hawk pads. Checked pad wear/disc wear at 120k miles and everything is "green".

Beren682

Build date - 2005

Current mileage - 47000

ecu flash level - Never

MT
Any issues with the transmission? Yes
Issue with gears? No
Issue with the clutch? No
Issue with the T/O bearing? No
Issue with noise? With clutch pedal not being touched, bearings whine. If you applied any pressure to clutch pedal, noise disappeared. At 36931 miles, had trans front countershaft bearing, input shaft bearing and pilot bearing (due to abnormal pattern on input shaft) replaced. Noise completely gone. Everything much quieter. At 45487 miles, had all 3 bearing replaced again for same noise, after beginning to hear it again approximately 3000 miles before. I'm at 47000 miles, and am hearing it again but a little worse than before. I have no problems shifting, my clutch is operating great (still a solid 50-60% left). Basically, nothing wrong with the car at all, but this irritating noise. Something makes me think there is something unfixed causing the bearings to go bad. But also, the above statement of changing the pilot bearing the 1st time due to abnormal wear on input shaft, makes me think that the abnormal wear is still on input shaft, and it's forcing the bearings to go bad the 2nd two times.
Issue with flywheel? No
Issue with harmonic balance? No

Tires on the car - all purpose bridgestone 225/45ZR18
Issues with alignment? No
Issues with balance? No
Issues with cupping on the inside? No

Any aftermarket mods - None

Driving style normal. Recommended shifts in heavy traffic and residential zones. Open highway or 1st car at light, 5000-6000 rpm shifts. Occasional red line when feeling spirited.

Driving cycle - 50%city 50% highway

Issues the car has been in for: see above trans

Engine oil - dino
Any issues with the motor? Had recall tweeks made (but no repairs, just reconfigs)

Transmission oil - whatever mazda is using these days. They've switched it up on me.
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? No


Body - No issues

Interior - Fit and finish. Quiet.
Brakes - Normal wear

Bishop

Actually, I have an AT and I just started getting this weird "stutter" between 2nd and 3rd today. Scared the crap outta me. 2nd revs way to slow and high before switching and the same with 3rd into 4th. I have NO idea whats wrong but recently the check engine light came on and the service guy at Burlington Mazda told me it's likely that the gas cap was loose and it'll take about 71 turn overs to reset the computer to turn off the warning light. It's still on but not flashing which I'm told is the "get to a service bay ASAP!" warning.

fedno5

Build date cars in the shop dont know the build date this second
Current mileage 31500
ecu flash level ? dont know
Any issues with the previous level? N
Any issues with the current level? N

MT or AT - MT
Any issues with the transmission? Yes
If so, what?
Issue with gears? yes - 2nd grinding
Issue with the clutch? - Yes makes noise
Issue with the T/O bearing? yes makes noise
Issue with noise? - Yes
Issue with flywheel: replaced once
Issue with harmonic balance? no

Tires on the car - potenzas in the front falken ziex in the back (LOVE THEM)
Issues with alignment? no
Issues with balance no
Issues with cupping on the inside?no

Any aftermarket mods - No
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive - Normal

Driving cycle - %city % highway - 75% Highway, 25% city

Issues the car has been in for
1. Transmission grinding
2. O2 sensor went bad at 27000 miles

Engine oil - dino or synth - Dino

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? - switched to ceramics no squeaks but the car has always pulled a little when coming to a dead stop. About to put on drillled and slotted rotors

fire_wing95

Build date: 05/03

Current mileage: 105k but has a brand new engine with 5k mi on it.

ecu flash level: L
Any issues with the previous level?: ?
Any issues with the current level?: NO

MT or AT: MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?: Replaced pin and needle bearings inside bearing housing of tranny
Issue with gears?: grinds 2nd gear from 1st above 5k rpm @ NOT
Issue with the clutch?: No. New clutch installed recently
Issue with the T/O bearing?: NO
Issue with noise?: Squealing sound from somewhere but goes away has the clutch pedal is pushed in. Squealing noise comes back as clutch pedal is released.
Issue with flywheel: NO
Issue with harmonic balance?: NO

Tires on the car: OEM
Issues with alignment?: NO
Issues with balance: NO
Issues with cupping on the inside?: NO

Any aftermarket mods: NO
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive: Aggressive but highest shifting occurs no more than 8k rpm

Driving cycle - %city % highway: 30% city/70% highway

Issues the car has been in for: Noted above.

Outstanding issues: When turning through sharp turns at high speeds, the brakes seem to apply themselves and slow down the car, (while turning right, seems the right side brakes are being applied and vice versa for left turning.) Rotors have been recently replaced and new brakes.

Engine oil - dino or synth: Dino
Any issues with the motor?: Nope

Transmission oil - Dino or synth: Dino
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?: N/A

Diff oil - dino or synth: Dino
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?: N/A

Body - Any issues?:

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? NO

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?: NO

terrypk1

Build date 2003 August

Current mileage 56286 km

ecu flash level not sure maybe still at the original level.
Any issues with the previous le NA
Any issues with the current level? NA

MT or AT MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?
Yes, recently, it started to be harder to shift into gear under high load (acceleration)


Tires on the car No problem.
Issues with alignment?
Issues with balance
Issues with cupping on the inside?

Any aftermarket mods
BHR Flywheel, Agency Power pully system, Agency power stainless steel brake line (which is too short)

Driving style normal or aggressive Agrressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway 20/80

Issues the car has been in for
Bad gas cap providing little seal. Dealer mistakenly replaced gas pump while damanging the car causing the one way valve to be stock and gas will not go in to the tank easily unless time is taken.

Outstanding issues

Broken key remote receiver, tail light condenstation.

Engine oil - dino or synth synth
Any issues with the motor? NO

Transmission oil - Dino or synth Redline MT90
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? NOPE

Diff oil - dino or synth Racing Purple forgot which one
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?

Body - Any issues? NO

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc
some rattle here and there. nothing important
Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?

No

Gingernator

Build date- will have to check, but model 2004

Current mileage- 57676

ecu flash level- stock? (no change since i've owned it)
Any issues with the previous level?
Any issues with the current level?- no

MT or AT- MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? hard shifting into 2nd at high RPM, grinding 4th sometimes, fights a little going into 6th
Issue with gears? grinding 4th
Issue with the clutch? none
Issue with the T/O bearing? a little whining when stopped and clutch out
Issue with noise? a tad noisy (layshaft bearing i'm guessing)
Issue with flywheel no
Issue with harmonic balance? no

Tires on the car- Michelin Pilot
Issues with alignment? no
Issues with balance- no
Issues with cupping on the inside? no

Any aftermarket mods- front license plate removal? lol
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? N/A

Driving style normal or aggressive- mostly normal, shifting at 3-4K, but always like to have fun so I usually go ***** out and redline thru 3rd and sometimes 4th at least once per drive

Driving cycle - %city % highway- 80/20

Issues the car has been in for- maintenance, auxiliary port valve and auxilary port valve train, misfire brought on by old wires and coils, collapsed engine mount, taillight condensation, previous owner replaced engine at 40-45K i'd have to check, bad tire pressure sensor

Outstanding issues- sunroof rattles sometimes

Engine oil - dino or synth- dino
Any issues with the motor? buttery smooth (now, see above for previous)

Transmission oil - Dino or synth- dealer recommended
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? slightly better

Diff oil - dino or synth- dealer recommended
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? smoother

Body - Any issues? chipped up front splitter?

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc- the center console lid slides forward under moderate to heavy braking

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?- nope