Took mine to John Hine ins San Diego.

Car passed all tests. They did want to keep it an extra day as the tech didn't like my idle. Ended up he replaced the coils. I can't recall if I got new plugs as I got the plugs/battery/starter 6months ago. Don't have the paperwork in hand.

They washed it, filled it and thanked me. Excellent service. I'll be back.

It does seem to idle smoother now. Mechanic catching this on his own impressed me.

Enterprise put me in a Mazda6. Nice car, but definitely NOT an RX8. Not even close. Felt like an accord/camry/taurus/galant/(insert sedan name here)

Car runs great, like always.

Mike

 

Been a long time since I've posted here...

Just had the recall work done (May '03 build, 43K). Was prompted to get it done due to a flooding condition (first time for me, and probably due to a cold start/shutdown as I was working on it and another car). Anyways, back to the recall...

For the flooding:
- Battery
- Starter

For the recall:
- 2 plugs
- reflashed PCM (this is like my 5th reflash)

Out of nowhere:
- Right and left Motor Mounts replaced

Car wash
No gas

After the work, it appears that the car is dropping the idle at stops to about 500RPM, maybe 750, running rough. We'll see if it clears up, I've only driven it 15 or so miles since the work was done.

 

After a month of gas, I can confirm that my avg. dropped from 19-20mpg to 17-18mpg: all city driving conditions. I lost 2 freaking mpg!!! Granted, it still falls into their estimated mpg..

 

This is how mine has felt since having the recall done, at around 4k the car takes off like it has to spool up a turbo, used to be a smooth pull all the way from 2k.

 

Got mine done.

2 plugs + reflash + car wash + free gas + rental + they fixed my center console ( the button was broken).

Plus I wrote down the wrong day for my appointment and they still took the car and started on it right away, no hassle or anything. Plus when I got the survey I went back down there and filled it out while they gave me a free oil change.

Apparently they REALLY care about those surveys.

 

Got mine done yesterday. Didn't replace anything... (Just had the engine cranks-no start recall done so I guess my spark plugs didn't need to be changed) Anyway, had the reflash. Only driven a quarter of the tank so too early to tell about gas mileage. Car seems to have a little more pep, but it's probably just because I was driving around a Chrysler Pacifica all day. Anyway, the horror stories about the acceleration not being as smooth or powerful as before the flash proved untrue (at least with my car). I'm very satisfied and it only took a few hours.

 

Bought the car Saturday, Autocrossed it Sunday, 4206f performed at Roberts Mazda in Hickory, NC today (Thursday).

They replaced 2 plugs, flashed, checked the converter, washed the car and filled up the tank. Dealer was good. No noticeable change in the car so far.

Tomas
'05 Titanium Base

 

Used a little over a quarter of a tank since I picked it up. Only driven fifty miles. sh*t!

 

Got the flash didn't need anything else. Filled tank with gas and I was gone in 30 minutes. Car runs great, gas milage 22 on hiway.

 

Yup..normally, I can get about 70 miles per quarter tank..now, I'm lucky to get 60..sucks big time..as for the trade off of performance..I lost out..I liked the older flash..didn't have the start issue, etc.

 

Hey is a really old question but can anyone show me where I can find the letter that Mazda offers the tank of gas along with the recall?

 

I got the flash done on my car. Along with the gas (lucky for me it only had 1/4 tank in it) and a wash. It does seem to run smoother. I have not calculated my milage since, but I noticed today that it has got to be a little better. I still have gas and would normaly be pushing empty by now after driving to work all week.

 

Go to Message #54. Down load "Zoom's" letters its all in there.

 

Wow, better mileage! You are the first to report that. Run a few tanks through it and report back. I am definitely down 2-3 MPG. I could routinely get 20-22 and the best I've done out of about 8 tanks after the recall is 18.4.

 

sorry,

better mileage here also. up about 2mpg on average..

beers

 

Right after the update my gas gauge was whacky but after running down to the gas warning light and filling up it's back to normal.

 

Mileage is down 1MPG since the reflash. My car is making all kind of nasty sounds that it didn't before. I'm embarrassed to pull up to a drive-thru window because of the noises my car makes. Don't get me wrong - I love the rotary and I wish I could love my RX-8, but all these noises make me feel like I'm driving some $15K econobox built in a 3rd world country. My 2nd gen TII never sounded this crappy, even after 17 years and 150K miles. This car is a POS. I've had problems with it since 20K. I will never buy a 1st year model of any car again.

Sorry, just had to vent. I get this way every once in a while. I feel mildy better now...

 

Okay, I got the recall done. I got my lead plugs replaced and the new flash.

After taking my car for a hard run through the Malibu cyn's I must say my car definately feels different and for the better. I've noticed that from 1-3k there more torque but I feel I lost torque between 3-4k and after 4k all the way to redline it now pulls alot harder and all the way to 9k. Before it stopped pulling around 8k and leveled out. I must almost say my car feels alot smoother, almost like I'm floating? Overall I'm very happy with the new flash.

Mine also makes a sound that I didn't hear before, it sounds like a something is sucking in air.

 

I guess that is good to know. I can bring it in and have them check for a problem. My best guess is coil pack based on what I have seen since the recall.
1. Flooded
2. Rough starting
3. Notchy Power bands - more than before, like a turbo lag but you feel the increase at about 3.5K and about 7K more than before.
4. Poor gas mileage

Any comments would be appreciated.

I feel your pain. I was hoping that my brand new car would be in the shop less than the 10 year old one, at least for a year or 2 - Nope.

 

I have only kept track of one tank so far. I got 19.8. With my new job I have been driving 50/50 city/highway where as before I was driving 90 highway. I was averaging right at 18 consistantly. But....then again....most of my "highway" at the old job was VERY curvy back roads. I could not help but squirt from corner to corner, brake hard, down shift,....do it all again.

I will make sure that I keep track. God help. It couldn't have gotten worse. I hope.

 

Haven't been on the forum for a bit but thought I'd respond with my feedback.
Took the car to the Dealer for the engine recall. Service guy was great....he looked at the car and said - Wow, I guess you don't want the wash, right? ------ that's what Zaino will do! (He wanted to know how I made it look soooooo good)
Anyways, ended up with the crappy Taurus as the 'rental' car again.
They found no issue with the engine (04 with only 4,300 miles on it)....flashed me and replaced the starter, battery, and plugs.

NO GAS! (darn as I went there with only 1/4 tank).

Anyways, I didn't have a chance to drive it much since it went up on jackstands for the winter 2 days after. Won't really know until spring.

 

Was it on this or another thread where I read about ignition coil issues popping up once the new flash was done? I ask because I now have ocassional misfires above 8K in 4th gear(about 110-115 mph). At that point the car won't accelerate anymore and when I bring it back down to legal speeds the are a few misfires around 5K with moderate load on the engine.

 

Charles, I think it was another thread. I saw it when I was trying to figure out why mine was running worse after the recall. I just looked but couldn't find it.

 

wow! dont drive the 8 much eh?

 

i would think coils, dirty plugs, loose plug wire... then i would run a very good intake cleaner through it... b&g 44k is what i use. and run the hell out of it..

also after the motor repacement and the last time i reset the ecu.. it does drive bad for a couple of drive cycles...

beers