New engine in my new 8
 

I'm pretty new here, I don't really post, I can usually get what I need from searches. But now I have questions that I'm having problems finding answers to...

I just bought this car, maybe 2 months ago. 04 MT Liquid Silver GT with 64k miles on it. When I test drove it, I noticed I had to crank it for 5-7 seconds before it turned over. It kinda felt like it lagged in the low end, but I had done research and the lagging seemed to be a 'common complaint' about the low end power. I figured i just needed a new starter, so I talked the guy down in price and bought it.

The crank problem continued, but it didn't seem to be anything to really worry about. I knew the car would use more gas, but this was ridiculous. I can get to NJ and back on a half tank in my 03 Celica GTS, but it cost me an entire tank in the 8.

The other day I moved it to a better parking spot at work and then shut it down without it getting warm. I know, what was I thinking.... Went to leave work, and it wouldn't start. Came on here, got the restart procedure, didn't work. Went to a few other sites and checked their restart procedures, they didn't work either. Did more research...

Found the recalls and tsbs, and posts from other users describing similar problems. So I had the car towed to Mazda and I asked them to check all the recalls and told them I wanted a compression test.

They called me up and said I have no compression in rotor 1 and 1/2 compression in rotor 2. They're replacing the engine for free. Kinda sucks, but at least I don't have to pay for it.

But then I did a lil more research on engine replacements on here, and I'm getting kinda worried. I was kinda excited at first about getting a brand new engine, but then I read about the remanned, I never even considered that. Should I be concerned about which they put in? It seems like you either have tons of problems or no problems with either one.

And it also seems like a lot of people have problems with the dealers during and after the replacement. I didn't buy my car from a Mazda dealer, but the dealership I had it towed to has been pretty nice so far. When I first called and talked to the service guy, he wanted me to take it to the place I bought it from. But after I told him everything I had done and found he said he wanted to look at it. He said he probably wouldn't have time to take a look til Monday, but then called me about 2 hours after it was towed on Friday.

I'm hoping this is an indication of how my engine replacement will go, but I doubt they'll relate :) He said he ordered it on Friday and expects it to come in on Tues or Weds. I may get the car back by Thurs or Fri.

I'm still concerned about the replacement though. I'm not sure I've ever driven the 8 fully functional so I'm not sure if I'll realize if there is a problem when I get it back. Any suggestions?

And thanks for reading my book :)

Iv had the same issues as you. I had the hard start / long crank and replaced the starter seemed to help but still not how other 8’s seemed to start then they checked the compression and it failed they changed the engine with out to many issues had a few new scratches and a new dent. Got the car back still didn’t start the best. I decided to change the coils and wow it fixed everything started in a ¼ of the time more power and everything. If I was your id change the coils and see how the car starts then. Btw when they replace your engine they wont replace the plugs or coils.

Thanks, I'll def try that if the crank problem is still present when I get it back.

there is a new upgraded starter for the 8

Thanks for the info. I'll look into that as well.

I talked to the dealer on Wed. They said the engine is on backorder and it won't be until for at least another week.

Go figure. :(

Update...not that anybody really cares....

Mazda called me last Wed morning and said my clutch wall was thin and they suggested replacing my motor mounts along with the clutch. Since they had the engine out already, I agreed.

They called me Thurs morning and said it was done. I went to pick it up. I walked in, paid for my parts (no labor obviously), and took my keys. Walked out to my car and found they had washed the exterior and cleaned the interior. :SHOCKED: I never expected such good service for warranty work from a dealer I didn't even buy the car from.

Got in, she started right up, and off we went. I can't believe how much power I now have. I can't believe how easy the clutch is. I can't believe how much the car has changed.

All in all I'm impressed. I have a bunch of questions now, though. And hopefully somebody WILL care about this part.

Does my warranty start over, or do I have a limited warranty with the remanned? Whats the break in period? Whats considered beating it since it rev's so high to begin with?

Yesterday on my way home from work my oil light came on. I got home and checked the oil and it was fine. But when I touched the oil, it wasn't slippery anymore and it had grit in it. I immediately changed it, but should that happen? I only put like 300 miles on it since I got it back.

Listen guys, like I said before, I only ask questions when I'm pretty much lost. I know my way around a car and a garage for the most part. But this is my first rotary....and well..I'm lost at this point.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mazda will probably keep you in engines until 100k, but that's me saying it, not Mazda.....
They have generally been very good with replacements.

The re-man units have really stepped up in quality since the program began, the early rebuilds were 'delicate', but the newer ones have a good track record.

The oil light indicates level, not pressure, so you may have been just a little low, the early sensor would also light when the oil foamed up a bit, there is a TSB about it. Happened to me every time I cruised at 80 mph for a while......

Relax, drive 'normally' for the first 1k, then regularly take it to redline once per trip - keeps the carbon and cobwebs out of the seals.

Congrats on your fresh motor, and I hope you stay around here for a long time........

S

Thanks for the advice. I'll take it easy for a bit :)

I have an '04 that I just got w/ 36k. The battery on it has been leaking acid out of the top so I went to Autozone and bought a Red Top, but it's the wrong kind, with the positive in front instead of reverse like I need - they just closed, does anyone know if Autozone carries the reverse order batteries? Also, I've been getting hard starts (needs 8 cranks before it starts), will the new battery (and plugs/wires/coils that are in the mail) likely help fix this?

nice bro!!!! im taking mine in this week hopefully.. low end power is kind of low and it is has a oil leak.. my oil pressure seems to drop and keep beeeping. also i think i may be leaking some coolant but this car is soo much fun to drive and soo sexy. reminds me of the supras lol maybe it sjust me

Heat72, did the dealership just offer to replace the engine, or did they first ask you for maintenance records from the previous owner(s)? I'd answer your questions, but I'm new to rotors too.