Magic words to use when describing problem to dealer??
 

Well I took my 8 in last week to fix my starter, they put in a new one and replaced the plugs.. but I also mentioned to them that the car seems like it has no power at all anymore until it hits around 4-5k rps. Even first gear no longer 'moves' off the line at anything but a crawl.

At higher speeds it's not really noticible, but since my warranty is almost up I figured I should get it looked at.

Sadly, the dealer simply said "We can't see any problems". However I was waiting there and KNOW they didn't even take it for a test drive to see the issue.

One example of how I know something must be wrong, is about a year ago, I tried pulling out in traffic at a uturn and almost spun out because I wasn't paying attention. I recently tried the same 'stunt' (making sure it was during early morning and no one was around), and I coudn't even get my tires to spin much less have any chance of losing control. Not that I want to drive like that, I've a perfect record and don't ever take chances, but the fact that I can't do so makes me think that there is something very wrong.

My question is, since I've already brought it in, I obviously didn't explain the problem well enough. I thought perhaps someone might recognize this loss of power and might have an idea what I can tell the Dealer to look at so they can actually find the problem.

Any help would be appreciated..

If that doesn't work try going to another dealer in your area.

keep trying.
I'd go back there again and tell them the car suddenly has NO power. Sounds like it could be a clogged cat?

If that doesn't work, try another dealer.

Make sure they document your complaint of loss of power, and that it is on your service record so that if they pussyfoot around and then find the problem after your warranty is up they're still obligated.

Then insist on a test drive with you in the vehicle. Then when the mechanic says they don't see anything wrong (note, typically the car must be on fire or have major parts fall off for them to "see anything wrong"), insist on a second drive with a new RX-8 on the lot for comparison.

Then if they still drag their feet you need to continue to be insistent. You may want to note that this represents a safety problem if you cannot accelerate at normal speeds and that you will not accept their refusal to address the problem.

You may need to contact MBNA if the dealer won't cooperate.

There are a number of things that could cause poor power at low rpms. There could be a vacuum leak, or an intake valve stuck open, injector problems, plugs, coils, poor compression, etc.. Some are easier to address than others. Some could be quite expensive so you really need to make sure it's documented now that you're still under warranty and have the record show that they have not yet resolved the issue.

I would think the 'magic words' would be exactly as cited in the TSB No: 01-014/08:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...4-08-1924g.pdf

I need to go in for the starter recall and rough idle this week or next and i'm just printing out the TSB's and handing them to the service writer

Wow I must have missed this TSB when going thru them. Considering I live in SFla, you can't get much higher ambient temps than that in the US.

Time to head back to the dealer , Thanks all.


NOTE: I double checked my last invoice and there was NO mention of my power loss complaint (Bunch of other crap related to the starter issue so I didn't realize it wasn't on the final bill). It was on the one I remember signing at the start, which I've since thrown away, not sure why this one was different now that I'm looking at it, it only has my sig for the paid/delivery section.