Need advice! Cat/Engine Failure and Warranty
 

Hi everyone,

I have a 2007 (my 2nd RX8, first had the engine replaced and then was crushed by a tree during Hurricane Sandy....I got this one to replace it).

I took it for state inspection last week (PA) and it needed two things to pass: a new catalytic converter (the original one is completely empty....I didn't gut it, it just broke apart) and rear shocks. I got an aftermarket Walker catalytic converter, which was put on yesterday.

The engine has been showing beginning signs of failure over the last month or so (stalling out when hot, sluggish acceleration, rough idle...all the same things that happened with my 2004 before the engine died), but after the new cat was put on yesterday the engine actually overheated several hours later. Now the car will not start, at all (turns over...I think it's even firing but suspect there is no compression).

The original cat is no longer under warranty (I'm at 89K) but the engine is. My question is this....before I have it towed to Mazda, do I put the old stock cat back on? It's completely empty, so I know they're going to tell me I need a new one. Or do I keep the aftermarket one on? Which would give me the best shot at them not voiding my warranty for the engine?

I have to have it towed soon (between now and tomorrow) so please...I'd really appreciate some timely advice.

You should probably take the new one off, since it sounds like you haven't fixed the problem that ruined the other.
It's possible it's already clogged, causing you're current problems, although you probably should have had a CEL already.

I'm with bigC sounds like you got other problems. There's a reason your first CAT came apart and not fixing that might have ruined your new one. You need to fix the first problem before the second one before you loos another engine if you haven't already.

.. and that reason is probably ignition coils.

Took the new one off...it was towed off to Mazda today. The coils are pretty new, so that really shouldn't be the issue (unless the person who had it before me killed the cat because they didn't change out their coils....).

Thanks for your help! Please keep your fingers crossed for me that they'll replace the engine under the warranty. :/

Did you inspect the new cat for damage?
If it's ok then you may have a more serious problem.
Have you had the OBD scanned for codes? Sometimes what seem like major problems may have minor causes.
Be sure to get anything the dealer says in writing, & ask for opinions here before committing to anything.
This site has more knowledgeable & honest members than most dealers
For example, don't pay $1000 for plugs, coils, & wires (or even more, it happens) when someone else can do it at a fraction of that price.
Good luck!

Also, if the previous cat was not intentionally gutted you could have pieces of the old strata lodged in your exhaust pipe or muffler that could cause similar problems.

Thanks for that! I will definitely ask Mazda about that on Monday.

Here is a update....they are going to replace the engine under warranty. : ) That's the good news. The only thing is, they won't warranty it UNLESS I purchase a new cat for them to install. BUT they aren't going to charge Me to put it in, just for the part. All in all, not too bad!

Thanks again for your help and input. xo

There was no strata in the exhaust or muffler (great thinking though, BigCajon!). New engine is in, new cat is in. They then could get it started but not running....needed 2 new coil packs and spark plug wires. Here's the best part: they wanted to charge me **$800** for just that! lolol Seriously? would you like me to suck your d*** with that too, Mazda? While I'm at it, let me bend over for you too. Yeah, that's not happening. Soooo ridiculous.

$150 in good parts, friend put them in after hours in Mazda's parking lot, and it's running beautifully now. : )

That's good news!
Now, if I may make a suggestion;
Try to save another few hundred dollars, buy a midpipe, (BHR is mine)
have your friend replace the new cat with it, & keep your new cat for inspections if needed, or any other warranty work.
#1 reason;
Peace of mind. Clogged cats are one of the main causes of engine failure.
Bonus reasons;
Better performance, gas mileage & sounds great!
Love happy endings.:)

And one other thing, did you replace all 4 coils?
It's recommended by us, not the stealerships, to change all 4 coils, plugs, & wires every 30k miles as a maintenance item, ESPECIALLY if you plan on leaving your new cat on.
Again, peace of mind.
Good luck!

I actually haven't had it long enough to change the coils etc. at the next 30,000....they were all (supposedly) changed (as in coils, plugs, wires) right before I bought it, about 20,000 miles ago (I did ask, having had an RX8 before this one and religiously changing all those things out every 30k).

I will change out the other two coils and the spark plugs probably in 2 weeks when I get paid again...just couldn't swing all of that after paying for the stock cat. lol My battery decided it was done today, so I am just about tapped out right now! I also need a new O2 sensor. This car is killllling me right not. ha ha ha

BTW....BigCajun, you are the sweetest. Thanks so much for everything. xo