getoutdaway

Edit 8/4: Please see last post where Mazda just gave me diagnosis and price. Please let me know if you think its reasonable. Thanks in advance! This site rocks!

I have a 6 speed 2005 RX8 with 46K and have had NO, ZERO, problems with it, and I've driven all 46K miles.

Today, I pull out of a parking lot, and noticed:

(1) When I engaged the clutch and hit the gas, I got LITTLE OR NO acceleration - almost like it was accidentally in 3rd gear. I double checked. It was in 1st.

(2) I released and re-engaged clutch and gas: still got little or no acceleration, then I noticed (a) Check engine light and (b) Battery light

(3) Car just stalled in middle of main street with wave of traffic coming behind me

(4) After a few seconds, the car started (struggled to start), and I managed to engage the clutch/gas, and for about 200 yards, the car was back to regular acceleration in 1st, but then stalled out again at a red traffic light

(5) I pulled over and had AAA tow the car to Mazda. I checked the book and "check engine" light can mean electrical or engine issues.

Questions:
-anyone have any clue whats up with the car?
-anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with mazda tomorrow? any pointers? my warranty recently expired in 2/10, and I read on here that, in the long run, extended warranties are a waste to the consumer
-how much $$ am I looking at?

Thanks so much for your help!

laythor

could be lots of things, wait till you hear back from mazda

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

You still have the 8/100,000 warranty on the engine core, 8/80,000 on the Catalytic Converter.
I would bet the problem would be the ignition system (plugs, coils, wires). It is possible it could be the engine itself, but this would normally happen with a warm engine. From your description, it sounds like it started happening right a way. Another common problem would be a clogged catalytic converter. However, I haven't seen one that choked off the exhaust that bad just starting up the car.

jasonrxeight

bad ground?

getoutdaway

Thanks for all the responses .

The service rep just called me and asked me what happened. I told her. Then I asked her about the CEL code and she said she wouldnt know until they sent it back to the shop for diagnostics, and she'll call back within 2 hours with more info. *cross fingers*

Mazurfer

You never stated whether or not you've ever tuned this car up or not, so here are my guesses. The first two go hand in hand. You may have changed the plugs, but I doubt you did the coils just based on reading your first post.

1.) Plugs
2.) Coils

Then

3.) CAT

getoutdaway

Ok Mazda just called back, I told them I'd get back to them soon, so please let me know if you guys think this is a legit diagnosis and fair price:

Required work
-new spark plugs and wires
-throttle body service and clear the keep alive memory and decarb the engine (I asked her if engine under warranty, she said yes, but only for replacing, and she said decarbing is regular maintenance)
-engineer is trying to keep the coils ($50.50 each, 4 of them), won't know if he can save the coils until other work is done.
-CEL numeric code: she doesn't know but she said the engineer said "random multiple misfire"

-total $726.50 which includes $110 diagnostic (so $610 for repair).

WHat do you guys think? THANKS IN ADVANCE!! I'll wait to hear from you guys before I call Mazda back!

hokie027

Most likely ignition coils.

getoutdaway

thanks Hokie, what do you think about their diagnosis and price? sound reasonable? Thanks in advance!

hokie027

Well to be honest the ridiculous price doesn't seem fair. I'd buy the parts myself--i.e. the spark plugs/wires/coils... you can pick those up from rotaryfx for much cheaper than the dealership charges. Replacing those would be especially simple too, taking only about 3 hours for an extremely unexperienced person to do. (Coils are located right below the intake and throttle body just right of the alternator, and you follow the spark plug wires down to the spark plug along the right side) So myself personally, I'd replace those (normal maintenance for spark plug/wires anyways) and THEN see if there is really any other problem. I had this same problem about a year ago, replaced my coils and it ran fine. Buying wires, plugs and coils would run you about 320ish, and the work would be free if you do it. That's just my two cents though.

Cheers

getoutdaway

They just called me back.

Looks like they can't save the coils - another $200, for $928 total
She said 12K/12 month warranty on the fixed parts. Is this a raw deal or sounds pretty reasonable?

As someone said earlier, I could save $$ by doing it myself, but I wouldn't be able to. The only thing I'm looking for is just to make sure I'm not getting screwed over.

I've already saved $640 since 2/05 by not signing up for the extended warranty, so I only look at it like I'm out $280.

Thanks for all your help guys!

Krazed_Rx8

iTrader: (5)

If u can't do the work yourself just go for it. That or buy the parts online.. wait for them to arrive and just pay for the labor charges. From what my dealer has told me the diagnostic fee gets cancelled if you go through with the repair.

getoutdaway

Thanks Krazed - I'll press them on that - waive the diagnostic fee as I'm coughing up over $800. The diagnostic fee should just be "insurance" for them in case someone decides not go get repairs or there is no issue. Makes complete sense!

Mazurfer

Yeah, press them to waive the diag fee and just go for it since you can't do it yourself, and don't have the time to wait for cheaper parts from a vendor on here.
Also.............ask them..............."Okay, so what happens when I drive out of here if something isn't right within a couple of days after paying all this money"?
Actually, you should get that in writing, but they won't do it!

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

That's the thing...you are getting screwed over...because you can't do it yourself. You could probably cut that price in half by doing it yourself and use better parts.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Hell man, if you were here I would do it for you for free. That price is a rip off. You should be able to get plugs and coils for about $200.00. What a rip off.

Mazurfer

^.............price you have to pay when you can't or won't do it yourself.

If he had the time, he could still buy elsewhere and then take it to a shop and probably reduced that at least in half, but what are ya gonna do??????? Seems like he's got to pay the man at this point.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah I agree, I guess its kind of like when I have to pay for Commercial Air Conditioning repairmen and the like.

getoutdaway

Thanks guys for all the responses. She said they wouldn't waive the diag fee, and that the dealership never has. I'll insist on the 12K/12month in writing, and if they refuse, insist on waiving the diag fee. Its the only leverage I have at this point.

They told me
(1) it would be best to wait until morning because the decarb chemicals need to set?
(2) until I drive it 25-50 miles, it will be "off" until the memory(?) is set right? huh?

Is all that pretty standard? any suggestions when I get it back tomorrow?

Mazurfer

1 = True
2 = If I understand what she means.........You may have some idling issues while the ECU(computer) re-learns the fuel trims. This happens after a reset or a disconnect of the battery.
I am not familiar with it going away by mileage, but rather in terms of drive cycles(which is usually two to three).
What's a drive cycle, well, it's the car seeing the temps go from "cool" to "normal" operating temp. This usually means driving, then shutting it off, allowing it to cool, then starting again and letting it come up to operating temp. What I just described would constitute two drive cycles.

getoutdaway

Thanks Mazurfer!! I didn't realize you are in Melbourne!! I'm in Orlando and went to Classic Mazda East. Do you know any top-notch Mazda places that don't charge an arm and a leg and are good quality in Orlando-Melbourne area? I get 100 miles free towing with AAA What's your hourly rate?

Thanks for the info on those two items. She just called and said its all ready to go and they drove it 25 miles to break in the memory for me (cool). gave me the price breakdown:

$879 total (better than $920)
*I've saved $640 in the past 6 months by not getting the extended warranty (thanks to this site!), so I only look at it like I'm out $230

$110 diagnostic
$98.50 labor on plugs/coils/wires
$150 for plugs, $82.50 for wires, $202 for coils
decarb engine / throttle body / keep alive memory: $147 ($0 for chemicals)
disposal fee: $37

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Several owners in the area...what is the reason you can't do the work yourself? Could another member do it for a 6 pack?

If I was in the area, your price breakdown would be:
$110 diagnostic (can't avoid that one now, just to get your car out of the dealer)
$80 for plugs
$60 for wires
$140 for coils
$15 for engine decarb
= $405 (including their diagnostics)

~an hour of labor tops, and an hour + letting the decarb sit.

No joke.

You can even get all that shipped from Mazmart, who isn't all that far in Atlanta, so the shipping time would be much reduced.

Hell, Race Roots is a vendor and located just west of Orlando, and he can get the same stuff, though his reputation has been shot to hell recently.

hokie027

You silly man, for that price you may as well provide the Coils/Wires/Plugs and go through BHR to get the ignition system ($560 as opposed to the OEM $435 and you'll get a far better coil setup). Also ever think of trying your insurance to see if they'd help cover it? Then you'd only be responsible for a deductible, and I wouldn't just say insurance will never cover something like that... you'd be surprised what they'll cover you for. Just food for thought.

getoutdaway

haha yeah you guys are right -- this has been an eye-opening experience. my first major issue with my first car, so I guess I get one freebie at being a schmuck, no?

for the future, though, since my car knowledge is barely sufficient to check the oil, what do you suggest?
-once an issue happens to my car: have it towed where? my house? then log onto RX8 club and email a member in Orlando? but without a formal diagnosis, how do you know what parts to order? I guess the idea is meet up with an RX8Club member in Orlando and have them check it out and do the work? on my driveway? anyone you guys recommend? just check out the SE USA Forum section? haha I know you guys are laughing but I'm not good at this car stuff. I love to drive it, not to fix it. Call that what you will.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Collectively, the forum members here have FAR FAR more experience and knowledge about the RX-8 and the Renesis than any individual Mazda tech. Quite a few members here individually have more knowledge and experience than an individual Mazda tech. We have access to the same Mazda technical manuals, OEM parts, etc... And most Mazda techs are piston techs for the other Mazda cars, and at best, only a quick glossing over of the RX-8. A portion of techs aren't even Mazda techs, if they share a dealership service area with another manufacturer. It is a rare thing when you find a tech truely knowledgeable in the RX-8, and even rarer that a tech enjoys it and is an enthusiast.


If you have an issue, SEARCH here first, you aren't the first one. We haven't seen a unique new problem in probably over a year.

If you really can't find it, post here. We can diagnose it

IF you need wrenching help, the SE forum has a thread for Orlando members I believe, ask around there, and offer beer. You will get people wanting to help. Even if for no other reason than that they love to work on RX-8s, even if it isn't their own. Like a sexy woman, any excuse to touch her