Wakka,

So did you get to see Michael in the pit area? That was a good race on Sunday. Everyone was worried about Ralph but he seems to be OK.

I noticed a lot of empty seats though on Sunday.

 

Actually the turn out was good..the sections of the grandstand they showed on TV were not sold..

I know seat 7 row FF section 12 of the corner terrace had a occupant!!

 

Ferrari is delivering their best season ever, aren't they? That Michael and the whole team including Rubens are just fantastic.

 

I just checked the coils and they seem fine, i'll get the car checked out mid july when I get the air conditioner fixed.
Thanks for the reply.

 

Hey Plato -

It might also be fouled spark plugs.

I attach the below thread.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...5&pagenumber=2

 

Yup, but I know what he is talking about. When I had my car flashed to L after ten thousand miles or so on K, the thing was spitting all over the place and wouldn't get out of its own way. The flash helped only very slightly so I got fresh plugs. After the clean plugs, my car went like hell eg: Very Fast. I believe that he has a legitimate complaint, and cleaning the plugs, since new plugs are prohibitively expensive, will help. That's my two cents.

 

My dealer cleaned the plugs when I got the M flash. Car ran great and after 500+ miles it ran even better. Another benefit of the M flash is the plugs do not foul when car is subjected to long periods of city driving.

 

Thanks guys for the info, I`ll change the plugs when I get back from holidays. I took the car for a 400 mile drive and it goes better now, I`m not sure if the drive cleaned up the plugs a bit but I will get them changed anyway. Thanks

 

My understanding, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but after the flash, the car really has to completely re-learn how to act. It may take 100 miles or so to start acting correctly. Also, I had a computer changed in my truck. It ran poorly for about 50 miles, then got worse. The plugs were fouled. It seemed as if while the computer was learning, it was flooding out causing the bad plugs. ???Just my 2 cents???

 

OK, I have a question... How do I know what Flash I have without going to the dealership?

 

My car runs great after the M flash. Much more low end and mid range. So far, on just one tank, the mileage isn't any better than the K flash; 13.87 mpg on my last tank, almost all city. I've previously done anywhere from 13.xx to 16.xx in town.

I usually run up to 4500 to 5500 in the gears with occasional short shifting and a few beeps every day...

My best tank, almost exactly 20 mpg, all highway.

 

Ditto that for me. I haven't seen a mileage improvement, and I don't know about flooding because I never flooded the K and never had L, but I'm getting around 12-13 in town, and I've noticed what feels like improved low-mid-range power. I don't really notice less top end power, but it definitely seems to by dying out above 7K or so.

jds

 

I still have the same question... how do you know what flash you have without asking? I have noticed a couple slightly long starts, but nothing major. Gas mileage in town SUCKS (about 15-16mpg). My car was manufactured 2/04... Any ideas withoug taking 'er to the dealer?

 

I have a question that I have asked a few people, but can't seem to get a definite answer. I have been to the Mazda website, and they say there are no recalls for my vehicle. Are there? Another thing is this M Flash everyone is talking about. I have had my car abou 1 1/2 months now. It was manufactured 2/04... How do I know what flash I have? I haven't had any of the symptoms. It might take a few seconds extra to start, but nothing major. The car gets 15-16 MPG in town, but I don't know if that's normal or not. Anyway, I am just trying to get caught up as I am still kinda new to the car.

 

go download the service bulletin in the tech M flash section, and bring to your mazda dealer, and they will do it, or contact mazda u.s.a and let them make a appointment for you

 

Try this for recall and TSB info: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ocs/index.html

The only recalls you might have are for airbags and transmission. But I think your tranny should be OK with that build date.

EDIT: Looks like the airbag recall went through build date 1/28/2004, so you SHOULD be OK there too

The M flash is a "campaign," not a recall. So it's not listed on the mazda site.

Look under your hood for labels, especially the airbag recall label. You may also have the M flash label.

You can call service and have them check your car in the Mazda database.

Try the famous brake test (turn key to ON, stomp on the brakes quickly at least 20 or so times and see if the oil gauge moves over and back)... that should tell you if you have at least the L flash.

 

Your car falls into the range for the campaign:

2004 RX-8 vehicles built prior to March 12, 2004
• VIN Range: JM1FE17**40100001 - 40135536

Look for a label under your hood (see pic).

Or try the brake test. But that will only tell you if you have at least L, I believe...

 

I was told that all 8's that come through port are updated at the port if not previously complied with prior to leaving the factory.

Take that for what it's worth though. I noticed that when i registered the wifes car on mazdausa it also said there were not any recall for the vehicle.

 

OK... Also after reading through the threads I have mentioned a weird sound at high RPM's. I am now led to believe that it is a knock, it just sounds different on the rotary. Any comments?

 

what is the sound and do you always hear it at @the same rpm? if so, what rpm?

 

Yes, same RPM. I hear it at about 6,000 to about 6750, then again at about 8k to redline. It sounds like a mini saw or something. I don't know.. a buzz maybe

 

I did mine last week and it was unplanned. I showed up for an oil change and the svc. mgr. advised that there is a campaign for my car. He said this is for cars that report:

1. difficulty starting
2. loss of power

I had none but told them to do it anyway.

The car feels MUCH better after the flash, the power delivery is much more linear and stong all the way to the redline.

As to gas mileage, have not seen any improvement but as you know driving is different from tank to tank so it would be un-scientific to report any change at this time.

 

My car was manufactured July '03. I wonder what version flash I have? I'm going in to ask for an update all the way to M. I hope this goes smoothly, but if not, i have some ammo from these posts thanks to y'all.

 

i know i already said this to you but in case others haven't heard- read my thread on the S-DAIS.