I have a 2004 RX-8 manual 6 speed with 42K miles. Car is garanged and usually used daily. Was out of town and did not use for three days. Garage reported car would not start when they tried to wash it. They tried to jump - failed. I tried to jump start as well and tried rolling down hill to start. No luck, AAA also tried to get started and could not. Car now back in garage until Monday. Not sure what is best option:

1) Let general mechanic next to garage try to start - not on warranty but no towing required.

2) Tow to nearest Mazda dealer. Will need to pay for towing and I do not trust this dealer at all.

3) Get to my regular Mazda dealer - 50 miles away.

I have no idea what might be wrong so I dont know where to start. Fully open to ideas. Car clearly got juice when connected to other batteries but would only click at best - never came close to starting. May have flooded engine in process. Garage had tried hard to start before I arrived, and I tried afterwards.

Interesting side point is that I had similar issue a few months ago where garage said car would not start and failed to boost after I was away 2 weeks. next day it started fine though.

ideas or thoughts/

 

Flooded. The spark plugs are ruined.

It says in the manual to not jump the rx8 by rolling it down a hill.

 

wow... haven't heard of someone flooding in a long time.

 

Did you get the upgraded starter/battery from Mazda?

 

The new recall gave me new spark plugs / starter and battery Try that lol.

 

Dealer is replacing starter and plugs on the recall. Should I fight for new battery too?

 

I dont think any auto company would recommend you to do that because you might be end up killing someone else or yourself.


Well, they will not replace your battery unless it fail the test and/or is the *problematic small *** battery*

 

Car has been at dealer for two nights / three days now. Still not done. Been given a "loaner" Pontiac G6 - great trade... Seems like Mazda could do better. I paid $100 to get car towed to dealer too. Starter needed to be ordered. Not sure why recall item not stocked.

 

Do you not know about Mazda Roadside Service? Would have saved you some bucks.

 

You might want to have a talk with the parking Valets...if they start it to move it or to wash it and shut it down cold......perfect recipe for flooding!

 

Problem with Roadside Service is they take you to nearest Mazda dealer. Mazda dealer in NYC is Manhattan Ford, who treat you like like sh_t and said "we might get to your car this week - no promises". NYC dealer is major problem, and their existence makes Roadside Assisance useless.