rx8cited

TSB: Engine Cover Grommets Missing - Issued 1/15/04 2004 - http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-001-04.html

says the engine cover grommets may become lose and fall off. Has this happend to anyone here? Last time I checked, mine were still on.

regards,
rx8cited

PS: Thanks Tommy - keep them TSBs comin'.

JD32

I couldn't find the TSB on the ECU flash at Rosenthal. Anyone else seen it?
Thanks

Mitch Strickler

A while back, I read about a section of hose causing oil leaks often enough (under hard-revving conditions, it seemed) that Mazda had improved the design and was going to come out with the upgrade part soon -- Jan. 15, I believe. I brought my car in for service and oil pan replacement after reading that, and mentioned it to the service manager. I said it was very unlikely my car had any problem, as I don't drive it hard, but it might be worth looking. My service receipt came back with a note that I had raised the issue of a new part, the tech had checked with Mazda and found that there was no suich part.

The person who wrote the post I saw (Gordon?) said he would report back with a part number. I would like to know what happened. If Mazda issues an improved part, I want to tell my dealer about it, so they respect what I say and maybe pay more attention to what they do with my car, rather than thinking I spout misinformation.

Sea Ray

I think that was Whealy that had the problem, not sure of the thread title though.

Go4It

Front right....GONE. Dealer ordered the new ones per service bulletin.

RosenthalMazda

It's a long story but I'm not able to obtain that information at this time. Something about not being authorized....

I am working on a back door source but not promising anything.

Tommy

Racer X-8

Hello, Tommy. Good to see you actively participating in the forum! And hello to you other fellow members.

Let me start by saying that I experienced the oil light problem and got the oil pan fix painlessly. Very happy with my service dept. The guys there didn't even want to talk about it...I told them and they said OK, anything else? Done. (4 month checkup)

After reading this thread, I finish with the portrayal that you only get the false signal under high speed / hard driving. Not so. I suddenly started getting it about every time I drove it, under very normal conditions.

Also, the portayal is that the oil needs to be a little low. Again, not so. My oil was about 1/8" below the top "full" line. What, maybe about 1/4 quart below completely topped-up, if that?

Also, the portrayal is that you need to be on an extended drive. Not so. Five miles was plenty.

The first time the light came on, I was doing about 75 or 80 on straight, flat, smooth highway. I became VERY concerned because I knew that my oil level should be good. So, there I was on a highway, wondering if I was suffering a massive oil loss, or if it was this false signal that I've heard so much about. Of course, I checked it ASAP.

One thing that haunted me until it got fixed was if the signal was indeed correct, but something caused a higher than actual reading on the dipstick. I know, silly, but, you never know until you know.

I would have been VERY irritated, had my service department given me any flak about fixing it for me. I'm so glad they did it in the right way.

I HATE false idiot lights. My MX-6 has 3 idiot lights giving me false signals all the time. Any more, I just ignore them and wish they didn't exist. So, for me to experience a false idiot light from my brand new RX-8 was not a good thing indeed.

Oh yeah, the idiot light would go out if I did a couple semi-jerky left-right-left-right meneuvers, sloshing the oil side-to-side a little.

RosenthalMazda

I'm glad the fix worked out in your favor, without any grief from your dealer. You're lucky.

I'm going to compose a note in my forum in the next couple of days reflecting on comments I've received from not only my dealership techs but others I have ties with, relating to a Mazda car owner and bulletins found on the web.

Don't expect something like the oceans parting with the most gracious autocross pattern you've ever seen or anything like that....just my opinions.

And don't rush me, ok?

Tommy

RosenthalMazda

I'm glad the fix worked out in your favor, without any grief from your dealer. You're lucky.

I'm going to compose a note in my forum in the next couple of days reflecting on comments I've received from not only my dealership techs but others I have ties with, relating to a Mazda car owner and bulletins found on the web.

Don't expect something like the oceans parting with the most gracious autocross pattern you've ever seen or anything like that....just my opinions.

And don't rush me, ok?

Tommy

markpmm

Tommy,

How many oil pans do you have in your inventory?

I can check if you want me to.

RosenthalMazda

3 currently, 10 more on order

markpmm

And your tech duplicate the oil light every time prior to replacing the pan?

3 in each store..

Lets just fix theses things and not split hairs.

RosenthalMazda

I never said we need to see the light....

doccable

When I went to check my oil level tonight, it was after I had read the grommet TSB, I was looking for the TSB that has been allegedly coming regarding the oil line between coolers as seen in
this thread, but obviously didn't find one about the oil issue. Anyway, when I pulled the cover off, I found that both of the front grommets were missing. Needless to say, I'll be placing a call in the morning... Thanks to Rosenthal for keeping us updated on the TSB's!
-Doccable

rx8cited

Last time I took my engine cover off, I noticed the grommets were not on the engine cover. Rather they were in the four holes that the cover fits onto. Are the grommets supposed to be attached to the cover or the cover mounting points? The cover fits snuggly when I put it one.

Thanks,
rx8cited

RosenthalMazda

There is no TSB on the cooler lines, nor have I heard of one coming down the pike. What Mazda has done, like thousands of other part numbers, changed it in some way in the form of a normal part supercession.

In other words, someone else may be manufacturing them or they just made some simple modification to the hose. Maybe a rubbing issue is the reason. (?)

Any change whatsoever causes a suffix change in the part number, sometimes a new number is issued altogether.

Sea Ray

Hey Tommy,

We have been talking/wondering (in another thread) about the true policy on ReFlashing the ECU. What is your shops take on it and what do you do if I come in and want a reflash for any updates or improvements?

Do you guys get weekly updates via Mazda, minor versions?
Major versions on a monthly or quarterly basis?

Thanks if you can help clear this up.

Dean

RosenthalMazda

Would they simply update just to update? I would call my service guy Steve Miller at 703-749-6550 xt 366 for that answer.

I would imagine that if one came in with a complaint and there was an ECU update for the problem, they would certainly do it.

I don't know the regularity of updates from Mazda. I think we only have one team of techs that deal with the ECU issues...

Sorry I don't have concrete answers. Steve is my guy in service for those questions.

canzoomer

One of mine went astray. Dealer replaced with the new larger one.
Much better.

markpmm

FYI

I did a search on this and it has been mentioned in the past but not in this section..

FRONT CUP HOLDER / CENTER CONSOLE BECOMES HOT
Applicable Models
Model Starting S/N Ending S/N
2004 RX8 00000000 40113124

Some customers may complain of the front cupholder area of the center console becoming hot after extended driving, causing cold drinks to warm. Due to the heat from the exhaust system (catalyst), the center console (cup holder area) becomes hot. This is due to insufficient insulation between the floor panel N cup holder. A insulation pad is available to reduce the heat transfer to the center console. 1. Remove the upper panel, hole cover (cigar lighter) and storage box from the vehicle. (See WSM 9-17-8) 2. Remove the six screws from the upper panel and remove the rear console. (See WSM 9-17-8,9) 3. Attach the heat insulater pad to the bottom of the front cup holder in the rear console removed at the above step #2. NOTE: Be sure to attach the heat insulator pad so that the bottom of the cup holder is wrapped. 4. Re-install the parts reverse order of removal. Parts information: F151-55-161 Heat insulator pad

Sea Ray

Thanks Mark for the update. I'll wait until summer cause it's nice to have the donut warmer in the winter

brothervoodoo

This is great, Mark where did you find this? Can you direct me to a link, thanks.

markpmm

I'm afraid it's not that simple =(

RosenthalMazda

I've seen this info as well.

I'm privileged to be able to log in and see certain info that has not been issued in the form of an official parts or service bulletin. I'm assuming that the poster is as well, or knows someone that is.

While I won't deny it's existance, I have a problem posting this kind of info for fear of my source being shut down. It's not an X-Files kind of conspiracy or nothing but it was told to me this way:

Mazda recognizes there are "issues" pertaining to a 'thing' relating to 'something'. They issue a dealer accessable 'written thing' (i dunnow what the official term is), stating that a customer may experience 'it'... If you experience 'it', correct it with 'this'.

My belief is that when 'enough' experience 'it', it will become a bulletin of either a recall, service bulletin or a simple parts bulletin. It's also been in insinuated to me that I should watch what I post regarding unreleased information.

Now, those that know me know that I'm not afraid of no ghost.

But I will stifle myself to keep info flowing when need be.

On that note...

Go4It

Thank you....Coffee does stay warm......