Texas 8

I know going after Mazda will more than likely accomplish zilch but, I'm gonna try like hell. Even if my problems aren't related to the original flood it is the principal of the matter. Information like that is something that needs to be disclosed and that's what I'm going to push to Mazda.

zoom44

no they have no legal responsibilty to tell you. just like they can repair a dent or change a wheel without telling you.

RX8-TX

I really feel for you but, looking at it from the outside (for now and crossing my fingers!) you are making a huge deal out of a spark plug clean up or swap and nothing more. In my book, even though the darn plugs are relatively expensive, it is still minor maintenance.

Please don't take it the wrong way, alright? I'd be pissed as well as you are....just an outside, calm, cool headed opinion.

snap-on

Thanks Charlie.

I'm not sure what Jeff can do to regain a warm and fuzzy about his car but I'm sure this is not the first time this has happened.

The issue about discussing every cars history sounds good in theory but it would really be tough to enforce.

BTW. We got a Accord in today with a CEL. I haven't checked it yet but I'm sure it is something simple. When the little blue haired woman prepares to buy that car and I go and tell her that the CEL was on when we pulled it off the truck I wonder if it will affect her decision?

My point here is that many vehicles get adjustments on the lot or during PDI.

Jeff,
I'm sorry you are so upset.

Gomez

Greg, with new plugs and a new cat, your car has been restored to a pre-flood state. IE, as new.

Time to enjoy driving it and move on. I wouldn't get too upset at the dealer, they have done all they could possibly have been expected to do.

Gomez.

Texas 8

From some of the posts, I guess I'm being a little dramatic. Does anyone feel the same way I do about this?? Just wondering if you found out the same thing with your car would you be ok with it?? Maybe I'm just being a little ridiculous....

Texas 8

Yeah, good advice I think. I had a beer and a smoke and took a little time to think about it. I think I'll sleep on it and tomm morning not be so upset and let bygones be bygones....

fray

iTrader: (1)

Just an FYI.. my cat died last week (or so). The CEL came on last Saturday and the dealer had to replace my cat.

I bought the car used around March 20th.. so it lasted about a month. Talked with the service manager and he said that my car came off the transport truck flooded. (Used 2004 w/ 16k miles.) They replaced the plugs and other services [which they told me about as a selling point], but didn't tell me about the fact it was flooded.

Am I mad, not really. As long as the only "damage" was the cat and they replaced it under warentee (and offered me a free rental vehicle) no big deal. I still love the car.

(Now if the previous flooding could have caused hidden damage to the engine or things that wouldn't have been covered under the warentee, I'd have definatly been mad.. but no harm -- no foul as far as I'm concerned.)

Gomez

Mate, I may have jumped the gun here. Has a faulty cat diagnosis been made?

bxb40

Well, is it clear what is wrog with your car, Jeff? If the catalyst looks like the one in the photo, I can see rattles and missing power issues... So maybe you do have a case by linking your car current problems to that "old" flooding.
Good luck to get it all fixed, it should be done after warranty.
I'm curious if mine was flooded too - how can I check for that? I have no friends at the dealership to check the logs on the car.... but, for what is worth, car drives fine for an AT... problems at 15000 miles are rattles and poor mpg (15, after the last flash, down from 18 on M flash). But at around 12000 mils, the oil shot into the stock air intake and filter - reason to hook an oil trap and a drop-in K&N filter.
On the bright side, it handles better than when new, so I see some progress too

Buffalo66

Im going to travel a ways to look at a new 2004 this weekend. I noticed a Carfax report comes up on it (unusual since its a new car), but no registration by anyone. It also says that with 5 miles on it miscellaneous service was performed at a service facility. Do they flood sometimes when the dealer first gets them, could that be what this entry means? Or does every car in California probably have service done when they first come to the dealer?

How can I check the service record to see exactly what was done before I buy it? Should I just ask the dealer, or call Mazda USA? The car first came to another Mazda dealership and then was dealer-traded, so should I check with that dealerships service dept. instead of the one I'm buying from? If no one will show me the service record or say they don't have such a record should I walk away? If it drives fine with no rattles or lack of power am I probably OK or does this problem turn up later?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just concerned, but if anyone has suggestions or an answer to any of them I'd appreciate it.

Gomez

They couldn't reproduce the problem?? So they took it for a test drive and it drives and accelerates ok? Were you in the car?

Gomez

Buffalo, you really need to start another thread for your dealership questions.....

snap-on

That would be totally unacceptable in my book. When a customer complains of a problem they should (at least) call the customer in to duplicate the issue.

PaulieWalnuts

Yeah, that kinda blows. I had about 200 miles on mine and got a CEL for cat inefficiency so they replaced the cat. Probably was flooded sometime during the 75 miles before I got it. Oddly, it starts right up. Unlike so may people who have said they need to crank theirs for 5-10 seconds. I'm still pretty happy with it so far though.

Texas 8

They took it for a drive and no I wasn't in the car. I was told the lack of power was noticeable but the loud rattling I heard was not. When I picked it up it was definitely better but nowhere near as good as it should be. Loud banging is gone (for now) but acceleration is still way down. I'm hoping when they replace the cat it will cure it.

Gomez

Okay then. But they have given the car back for you to drive until the cat comes in? I wouldn't be driving it.

Texas 8

Officially?? No. He couldn't replicate the exact problem so I don't think he took an in depth look @ the cat. But, I did mention some of the info that you guys had told me and he ordered a new cat. Did he order because I said it MAY be the cat or did he order it because he deduced that it was faulty?? I am not sure but either way, I get a new cat and hopefully that will fix things.

Gomez

All they have to do is drop the exhaust to get a positive diagnosis...

Texas 8

Yes they did. I was told it would be ok until the new cat comes in. I am wary about driving it.

Texas 8

Mods. My two threads have slowly merged into one where we're talking about the same thing. Can we possibly close this one to make it a little easier?? Just a thought.

Gomez

No No....ditch the other one. The original is always the best!

If the exhaust blocks completely while you are driving, you risk serious damage. Park the thing.

Air Force RX8

Texas 8, thank you for your service!

Service Before Self
Excellence in all we do!

PM me some time and we'll chat about what we do...

Texas 8

Good advice, and I think I'll heed it. Time to take Mama's suburban.