j9fd3s

there are 2 reasons why the cat is fragile behind a rotary engine.

1. the cat likes to see less than 650c exhaust temperature. this requires that the engine be run really rich, as the engine wants to run around 800c

2. the Rotary engine ports open and close much faster than a piston engine, and there is no valve in the way, so the initial opening is probably close to supersonic.

so its like hitting the cat with a hammer.... its also why mufflers live a short life, and why a baffled muffler like a flowmaster is just a no no

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

The California emission warranty covers all the smog componets for 7/70 with the exception of the catalytic converter, it is warrantied for 8/80. Here's a newer document explaining it: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/warranty.pdf
btw, after looking at your vehicle report, it looks like you have a build date of 4/05 and a in-service date of 8/05.

Edenney

**UPDATE** (cross posted to the other thread as well)

Got off the phone with Mazda North America after a very long time spent on hold. The Cat is absolutely covered for 8/80K, even in the People's Republic of California out here on the left coast.

Shortly after I got off the phone with them, I got a call from one of the two guys that sent me packing yesterday from Galpin Mazda in Santa Clarita, saying it was 7/70K. One was the service manager, one was just working in the service dept., but I'm not sure which it was that called me today. Mazda North America had contacted him to correct his misinformation and he apologized for his screw up, and said he'd already ordered the part for me. He's a bit ahead of himself because I wouldn't take my car back there unless it was the only dealership within at least 50 miles of me, and it definitely isn't. I'll be taking it to the dealership Mazda transferred me to originally, Galpin Mazda of Van Nuys. They're both under the same ownership so you'd think that the reviews and quality of service wouldn't be so drastically different at two dealers only 20 miles apart, but it is. That's usually a good indicator of poor management at that location.

Thanks for everybody's help! I was pretty dejected when I first posted the question, believing that CA. must just have different warranty standards than the rest of the country as usual. Btw, after I spoke to M.N.A. I also found the warranty booklet finally as well, and it DID specify the 8/80K on those 3 major emissions components that the Federal EPA law outlined. The booklet was hiding in the trunk near the spare tire. It's now back together with the owner's manual in the glove compartment where it belongs.

Lessons learned: All Cats in every U.S. street-legal car built after 1995 are warrantied by Fed. Law for 8/80K, period, end of story. And, never take your car to Galpin Mazda of Santa Clarita, the negative reviews are all accurate and there will soon be one more.

Edenney

Thanks for this btw, it would have been helpful if I still hadn't resolved this issue. And yes you're correct, the build date was 4/05 and the first sale was 8/05. I didn't have the paper in front of me when I originally posted that the build date was 8/05, and the person that provided me the information was incorrect. Of course the first sale date is what the warranty goes by, although I didn't know that yet when this mess first started.

Edenney

Just a follow up. Dropped the RX-8 off yesterday at 10 at Galpin Mazda Van Nuys. They were completely aware of the 8/80K warranty on the Cat., though he said it took them a few hours to get the approval from Mazda N.A. to cover the repair. They didn't have any Cats left in stock so they did remove the old Cat yesterday but had to wait until this morning to install the new Cat. He called me around 10:30 this morning and told me the car was finished, tested, and ready for pickup. He mentioned that the old one was completely broken up inside, and also said this was a very common problem with the RX-8s.

While they had the car there they inspected the vehicle, and he provided me a list of issues that needed to be addressed whenever I can get to them, including some trouble codes that they pulled (3 or 4 U codes, nothing significant). The customer service was great and very professional (except perhaps for the women working at the cashier), there was no charge at all for the Cat replacement, inspection, or testing, and I will definitely be taking my car back to that dealership in the future if I have any problems. It's a little further away than the one nearest me, but the service is night and day.

Oh btw, the guy at the Valencia dealership that originally denied the coverage and sent me away, called me this morning to tell me the Cat had come in and asked when I was going to bring my car in. I never once told him that I was going to have any work done there, I only asked them to scan the codes and confirm what I'd already been told at Midas and Pep Boys, that it was the Cat that needed to be replaced. If it was confirmed and was under warranty, then I would decide how and when to handle it, and I had no intentions at all of leaving my car there the day I went in. Since he incorrectly told me it wasn't covered under warranty, we never even discussed having it repaired there and I left to go research the warranty further.

Not only did I not say I would have the work done there, nor did he ask me if I wanted him to order the Cat., but he asked ME what he's supposed to do with the Cat that I never told him to order! I informed him that I'd already dropped my car off in Van Nuys yesterday and that they said they keep the Cats in stock or can get them in no time, as opposed to the "up to a week" time frame that he gave me for getting the Cat.. Valencia is only 15 miles from the Van Nuys location btw, plus they have the same owner, so there's no logical reason for one dealership to be able to get a part days faster than the other. I also told him that they were already installing the Cat. and that it would be ready for pick-up today. Amazing how different the service can be at two different dealerships, even under the same owner.

For any Mazda owners that live in my area, take heed of the reviews at the Valencia location, and take your car to the Van Nuys dealership if you need to take it to a dealer for anything.

Grace_Excel

iTrader: (5)

^

starbucks

I have an 04.

I had my replaced under warranty at around 60k; now the replacement seems to be going out, the cat light has been going on and off on the dash. I have about 110 k now.

I remember the dealer telling me the new cat wouldn't be covered by the mfgr's warranty. Is that true?

Bladecutter

Just with those two pieces of information, you are outside of warranty.

BC.

greekunit690

iTrader: (2)

If you're still looking have a very good condition oem cat. Sold the car with an AP midpipe and still have it lying in in my garage. Drop me a pm if you're interested.

theashtraysays

I bought an 04 manual trans RX-8 last year from a local owner. The engine had been replaced under warranty just before I bought it. It barely met the 8yr cutoff. On the paperwork from the dealer on the engine replacement work it also lists something about the cat. Here's what it says:

F0702ARX Oxidation/Three Way/Warm Up CAT
Converter R&R N/C

So... does that mean that the actual catalytic converter was removed and replaced? I'm a little thrown off by the "Oxidation/Three Way/Warm Up" description.

Thanks,
tas

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

sounds like it was replaced.
not sure what they mean by the oxidation / three way

77mjd

Since all the junk CATs still come with a warranty, couldn't you keep getting them replaced for free if they only last 5,000 miles?

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hi there, ICYMI, the last post was from a year ago, but good job on not starting a new thread.

When you buy an aftermarket cat, the warranty has fine print that says the cat is warranteed only for defects in manufacturing/workmanship.
NOT against damage caused from improperly tuned engines, which is what kills cats probably 99% of the time, which makes the warranty basically worthless.
The high heat & inefficiency of the rotary's emissions will almost certainly destroy cheap cats.
I just bought a Walker aftermarket cat for less than $200 just to pass inspection, then immediately took it back off. They will not last.
I'm running catless until I'm due for my next inspection.

77mjd

If that's the case, they shouldn't even be selling those CATs for RX-8 use. I don't see how they could claim the engine is tuned improperly if the thing fails quickly because it isn't.

I was thinking about getting the Walker one, just to make the CEL go off and pass emissions. I know my OEM one is junk and needs replacement but I'm not spending the money on it at this point. My 8 it nearing the end of it's life and I plan on getting rid of it soon so I'm not spending a ton of money on it anymore. It's not worth it.

hoosier1104

iTrader: (2)

I would do what BC does. I had a Walker cat on mine and burnt that **** up real quick. Just because you are getting rid of it does not mean you should screw over the next owner.

RX-8 Monty

mazda rx 8 catalytic converter
I have a '04 rx8 with about 60k on it.

I have not done any performance upgrades yet but plan to get exhaust, intake etc.

I went to autozone b/c my check ingine light came on, it had a huge loss of acceleration and they advised me my catalytic converter had a lot of build up in it. Only way to fix it was to replace it.

The longer I wait is it going to hurt my car?

I went to the Mazda dealership and they want 2,100 for a new one w/o install.

What do u guys think about aftermarket catalytic converters such as magnaflow, flowmaster, etc.

I would like to spend about 3-6 hundred on it. Can u guys please recomend some?

Lastly will I be able to replace this myself? is it bolt on? weld?

Please any info u can give me on the subject will be much appreciated!!


I am the owner of a 2007 RX-8 and have come to this forum many times for advice. My thanks to all who have helped me over the years. My latest problem was a loss of power at around 6000 rpm's. I first tried replacing the coils, plugs and leads however this did NOT remedy the problem and I was now getting a code p0411. I ordered a Magnaflow catalytic converter from Amazon and attempted to install it myself as it isn't that difficult. However the magnaflow cat bung hole for the O-2 sensor is not positioned properly and CANNOT be re-inserted as is because there isn't enough space there between it and the transmission. So obviously I would NOT recommend the Magnaflow. I had to have a new bung hole made and the old one covered as Magnaflow has a restocking fee and I would be stuck for shipping costs plus loss of time to return it and re-order a different one. To summarize my problem was resolved....power restored but not without additional delays and costs because of Magnaflow's error in design.

Steve Dallas

^ My guess is you have an automatic transmission. The Magnaflow cat is specified for manual transmissions only.

RX-8 Monty

It was not specified. I returned to original order and type of transmission was not asked. A "Will not fit RX-8's with Automatic Transmissions" should be plain to any ordering customers.

OnebaddRx8

I have an 2004 AT and had to relocate it farther back. No CEL even with empty CAT.
Read the post Magnaflow 23909 vs. 49150
In short I have the 49150 was installed when engine was rebuilt with completely new ignition system and air pump only lasted @ 13k. Pulled down to check completely hollow. So unless you want a future $600 midpipe don't buy this one. My friends has the 23909 it has lasted close to 4 years and its half the price.

Dave04

Question for those who are running without a cat.. Does your exhaust smell really rich due to not having it? I Know mine is coming apart inside, I had to disconnect the mid pipe and empty broken pieces out. My exhaust really smells rich when the car runs, you can smell it right away when you come to a stop or leave it running for any length of time. Just curious if the cat was to blame or not.

Thanks

David

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

When you remove the cat, you will notice a gas smell. Some people can live with it, while others can't.
You should also check the condition of your ignition components to ensure they're functioning properly. A damaged cat is often caused by weak ignition.

Dave04

Thanks for the response, Plugs, coils and wires were replaced last month. I guess it's just the cat, the car still gets around 20mpg so I doubt it's an under the hood issue. I plan on replacing the whole exhaust this winter when I pull the engine for a rebuild.

edrod75

I have been reading through this thread, and I would like to know if anyone has installed a magnaflow Cat and in a Automatic and how long has it lasted?

Steve Dallas

Are you sure you have been reading through this thread? I ask, because those questions are answered only a few posts above yours on this very page.

UnknownJinX

AFAIK there aren't any cheap cats that last very long. Some won't even last in a piston engine(especially if it burns some oil).

If you drive nice and easy all the time, some cheap cats may last, but your engine won't last that way.

The ones people have confirmed to work in a long run are HJS ones. Yes, they are expensive, but it's "buy once, cry once"(as Steve would put it) sorta deal.