Interior Smell - cant seem to get rid of it
08-20-2011, 04:45 PM
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Interior Smell - cant seem to get rid of it
Hello to all you Rx8 lovers!!
I am having a weird problem with my 2009 Rx8 GT. It is a 6Speed manual and has about 8-9K Miles on it, bought it brand new. It has been babied for the most part since I have had it- and I am the first and only owner of it. Ever since day 1 of having this car it has had this burning smell in the interior which I will describe as a hydrocarbon like burning smell. After having driven this car for a 15 minute trip I realize my clothes stink like I was sitting in front of the exhaust the entire time. It does this on every trip. I have taken it to several different dealer and complained about it probably 5 or so times. The dealers usually contend that there is nothing wrong and they don't ever smell anything.
Except the last time I went to the dealer- they noticed that the oil drain plug needed replacing as it was the head was rounded. After I got the car home- it was leaking oil a little bit- so I took it back to the dealer again and they said that they spilled a little oil on the skid pad and they had not cleaned it. Today I put the car up on a hydraulic lift and unscrewed the skid plate myself to see what was up. I found that the oil drain plug is once again rounded and that two small drops of oil were hanging on the plug. There was a tiny amount of oil on the skid plate too and I mean tiny. All of this seemed like it just was not enough to cause the amount of stink I have been getting the last two years. I looked over the exhaust manifold, the cat, and the oil injection lines and all looked crystal clean. I cleaned up the skid plate and drove it home.
It still stinks! I know it's not just my imagination- because when my wife drives it - she complains of the same thing, the clothes just wreak afterward!
I just don't know what's next. I live in a hot part of the country- maybe it's the smell of the leather seats? Is there a way to test if exhaust is getting into the car somehow?
It seems to be worst with the AC on recirculate. I know that the drain plug needs replacement again (not a big fan of the hex head design), but it seems to be on tight enough.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Mark
I am having a weird problem with my 2009 Rx8 GT. It is a 6Speed manual and has about 8-9K Miles on it, bought it brand new. It has been babied for the most part since I have had it- and I am the first and only owner of it. Ever since day 1 of having this car it has had this burning smell in the interior which I will describe as a hydrocarbon like burning smell. After having driven this car for a 15 minute trip I realize my clothes stink like I was sitting in front of the exhaust the entire time. It does this on every trip. I have taken it to several different dealer and complained about it probably 5 or so times. The dealers usually contend that there is nothing wrong and they don't ever smell anything.
Except the last time I went to the dealer- they noticed that the oil drain plug needed replacing as it was the head was rounded. After I got the car home- it was leaking oil a little bit- so I took it back to the dealer again and they said that they spilled a little oil on the skid pad and they had not cleaned it. Today I put the car up on a hydraulic lift and unscrewed the skid plate myself to see what was up. I found that the oil drain plug is once again rounded and that two small drops of oil were hanging on the plug. There was a tiny amount of oil on the skid plate too and I mean tiny. All of this seemed like it just was not enough to cause the amount of stink I have been getting the last two years. I looked over the exhaust manifold, the cat, and the oil injection lines and all looked crystal clean. I cleaned up the skid plate and drove it home.
It still stinks! I know it's not just my imagination- because when my wife drives it - she complains of the same thing, the clothes just wreak afterward!
I just don't know what's next. I live in a hot part of the country- maybe it's the smell of the leather seats? Is there a way to test if exhaust is getting into the car somehow?
It seems to be worst with the AC on recirculate. I know that the drain plug needs replacement again (not a big fan of the hex head design), but it seems to be on tight enough.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Mark
09-03-2011, 09:03 AM
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Updates:
I have figured out the smell.
After having put my RX8 on a lift and unscrewing the skid plate, I found that there was oil dripping into the skid plat, which caked up and when the plate got hot (since it's just under the exhaust manifold) it started to smoke up. This smoke was then inhaled into the cabin of the car through the ventilation system. After cleaning the oil from the skid plate and any residue from the plug- I did not smell any more oil smoke.
Bottom line: It was a faulty oil drain plug that the dealer had stripped and then used vice grips to tighten. I had the dealer remove it and replace it with a Fumoto drain plug. I goofed and bought the wrong one though- I thought the one with the drain hose nipple would work- but it hangs down below the skid plate. So I had the dealer cut off the nipple (you can't just unscrew it from the housing - otherwise the ball won't seal)- this seems to work so far, but I might just replace it with the right version to absolutely sure.
I have figured out the smell.
After having put my RX8 on a lift and unscrewing the skid plate, I found that there was oil dripping into the skid plat, which caked up and when the plate got hot (since it's just under the exhaust manifold) it started to smoke up. This smoke was then inhaled into the cabin of the car through the ventilation system. After cleaning the oil from the skid plate and any residue from the plug- I did not smell any more oil smoke.
Bottom line: It was a faulty oil drain plug that the dealer had stripped and then used vice grips to tighten. I had the dealer remove it and replace it with a Fumoto drain plug. I goofed and bought the wrong one though- I thought the one with the drain hose nipple would work- but it hangs down below the skid plate. So I had the dealer cut off the nipple (you can't just unscrew it from the housing - otherwise the ball won't seal)- this seems to work so far, but I might just replace it with the right version to absolutely sure.
Last edited by mmiliano; 09-04-2011 at 03:25 PM.
09-03-2011, 09:10 AM
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Lesson here is change your own oil?
You seem quite capable after all you wrote.
F'ing retards at the dealer rounded off the plug originally...............@sshats!
You seem quite capable after all you wrote.
F'ing retards at the dealer rounded off the plug originally...............@sshats!
09-04-2011, 03:32 PM
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Yeah- I have to tell you- I spent a LOT of time trying to get the dealers to fess up to their bad service. I finally had the dealer tell me what they did- and after seeing it for myself after putting the car on a lift. I think it took a little time for the oil smell to escape the cabin. I have been driving it for a week now with no smell.
I totally recommend the aftermarket drain plugs as the dealers just dont know how to work with hex headed plugs.
Also- what's the deal with the do it yourself oil changes might void your warranty? I would much prefer to do my own oil changes after this fiasco to prevent future issues, but if it might void my warranty- I will have to continue bringing it to the dealer.
Plus- I have to say that the dealers service department this time was hugely improved since the last several times I have been there. They are apparently changing their attitude toward customers (at least in my area) . ALL of the service staff came out to greet myself and all of the folks waiting in the lobby, and to proclaim that Mazda had changed out all of the employees recently and that they wanted to recommit the company to better customer support. I am ecstatic about this change-
because their old staff was abysmal.
I totally recommend the aftermarket drain plugs as the dealers just dont know how to work with hex headed plugs.
Also- what's the deal with the do it yourself oil changes might void your warranty? I would much prefer to do my own oil changes after this fiasco to prevent future issues, but if it might void my warranty- I will have to continue bringing it to the dealer.
Plus- I have to say that the dealers service department this time was hugely improved since the last several times I have been there. They are apparently changing their attitude toward customers (at least in my area) . ALL of the service staff came out to greet myself and all of the folks waiting in the lobby, and to proclaim that Mazda had changed out all of the employees recently and that they wanted to recommit the company to better customer support. I am ecstatic about this change-
because their old staff was abysmal.
09-04-2011, 03:41 PM
#7
changing the oil will void your warranty if you don't document it.
Keep receipts (and scan to computer, as they tend to fade)
Make sure you mark down mileage on those receipts. Or, use your service manual.
Orrrr, register to mazda usa and record your info electronically.
Keep receipts (and scan to computer, as they tend to fade)
Make sure you mark down mileage on those receipts. Or, use your service manual.
Orrrr, register to mazda usa and record your info electronically.
09-04-2011, 04:30 PM
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They are apparently changing their attitude toward customers...
It took some dealers longer to others to figure that out.
On records for oil changes... keep anotebook where you write down all service, with date and mileage. That and receipts will cover it. Or, as RX8Soldier suggests, log them on Mazda's web site. I do both, since I also keep track of things that wouldn't make sense to record on line.
Ken
09-04-2011, 06:14 PM
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changing the oil will void your warranty if you don't document it.
Keep receipts (and scan to computer, as they tend to fade)
Make sure you mark down mileage on those receipts. Or, use your service manual.
Orrrr, register to mazda usa and record your info electronically.
Keep receipts (and scan to computer, as they tend to fade)
Make sure you mark down mileage on those receipts. Or, use your service manual.
Orrrr, register to mazda usa and record your info electronically.
I am thinking of doing my own oil changes then. It seems that the dealer overfills the oil every friggin time they do a change. Just last weekend I had it changes and I just checked the level and once again- it's overfilled by about 1/4 quart.
09-04-2011, 06:21 PM
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Ahhh yes- the mazdausa.com electronic record keeper. Thank you RX8Soldier for reminding me about that. I looked it up and all of my records are there YAY!
I am thinking of doing my own oil changes then. It seems that the dealer overfills the oil every friggin time they do a change. Just last weekend I had it changes and I just checked the level and once again- it's overfilled by about 1/4 quart.
I am thinking of doing my own oil changes then. It seems that the dealer overfills the oil every friggin time they do a change. Just last weekend I had it changes and I just checked the level and once again- it's overfilled by about 1/4 quart.
I use the mazda site for everything I do with the car, although some stuff I put in is a bit cryptic for certain reasons.
I document each and every oil/filter change along with brand of oil, viscocity, filter type, where bought, and the cost.
I even do this if I put an LED in the car somewhere. I just list everything.
Last edited by Mazurfer; 09-04-2011 at 06:23 PM.
09-05-2011, 08:59 AM
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There was a time when dealers had service departments only because they had to in order to have a franchise. Money was all in sales. In the 1970s they realized that they could make money from service if they promoted it and tried to make their customers happy.
It took some dealers longer to others to figure that out.
On records for oil changes... keep anotebook where you write down all service, with date and mileage. That and receipts will cover it. Or, as RX8Soldier suggests, log them on Mazda's web site. I do both, since I also keep track of things that wouldn't make sense to record on line.
Ken
It took some dealers longer to others to figure that out.
On records for oil changes... keep anotebook where you write down all service, with date and mileage. That and receipts will cover it. Or, as RX8Soldier suggests, log them on Mazda's web site. I do both, since I also keep track of things that wouldn't make sense to record on line.
Ken
2005 with 34k miles and I have well over 30 entries on the Mazda site.
08-07-2016, 08:54 AM
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Still fighting this issue!
We'll believe it or not I am still dealing with this. I love the car so much I have been trying to fix it for the last seven years, but my patience has written off this last week. I put my rx8 up on a lift to see if there is a leak... nope! Car only has 20k miles on it (mostly because it stinks to drive it). There is no oil leak under there, it has to be an exhaust issue. I think it comes and goes due to the change in heat on the exhaust system - crack in something maybe? Well I am crafting an email to Mazda, but I do not know where to send it, I am in southern California.... any suggestions?
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