Wait a second....Mazda is paying for the gas in your rental car AND filling up your RX-8?!

 

Yeah...there's nothing written out about free rental car gas. It's up to your dealer. Just be nice and ask.

 

Since we been getting some good feedbacks , can someone make a detail 4206f RECALL FAQ (more info on the replacement engine, flash, cats, "white glove treatment"...etc). Thanks in advance.

 

128 Mazda says "everything is within spec" [deal with it].

I wish I could undo the recall work.

 

Mine is still in the shop,Brown and Wood Mazda of Greenville, NC. I dropped her off last monday...failed all tests, ordered new engine. The new engine came in last Friday and they called today to let me know they started on the pulling of the engine (there were 3 others ahead of me). Was told I should have her back Thursday. Can't wait to get her back. I'll post up the rest of the "white glove treatment" performed.

 

i had good out come--engine passed. Got cx7 to drive, they put new motor mounts on, etc. It is probably to early to really tell but I think my car is running cooler now--got on her several times in a 10 mile trip, redline her once --ambient temp 79 and my coolant temp never got over 180,mostly 175 and my oil temp not over 180.. Stay tuned.
olddragger

 

I've gotten mine back today. It only needed the flash, and the new sparks. Otherwise they said it was fine.

I took mine to Tumminia Mazda here in the KC area.

Since my car was already cleaned and waxed, I asked them not to do the complementary wash.

I didn't mention anything else just to see what would happen.

They offered me the CX-7 to drive. It was free, but the only thing was that I had to use my own insurance. I didn't have to drive it all that far. I only put 10 to 15 miles on it before I returned it.

The service only took 2 hours to complete.

The service guy asked me about how many miles I put on it, and I guess he was surprised it was so little.

They put 7 miles on my 8. I suppose it was a test drive after they did the work. It was in the shop when I left it this morning.

They did not fill the car with gas. And I didn't mention nor insist on it. I took the recall directions to mean that it was an option and that the dealer would get reimbursed for cost up to a maximum of course. It would have only been about 2/3 of a tank. I think this is a small price to pay to figure out how a dealer really treats its customers. I would hope the dealer doesn't fraudulently charge Mazda for services they did not render on this recall.

It will be a few days before I can judge any changes. But it seems to drive the same to me on the way home as it has routinely in the past.

 

Recall services performed today. They checked the cat (passed), replaced the leading plugs and reflashed the PCM. Also topped of the gas tank without being asked to do so. No wash (at my request).

After the recall, the idle seems a little smoother.

Very satisfied with dealer, was treated well and they completed the work in about 1 1/2 hours as promised. (Avondale Mazda).

 

Pugi Mazda in Downers Grove IL, CAT passed, changed plugs, reflashed ECU, squeakless brake pads installed. Had a sporty and luxurious Ford Freestyle from Enterprise. Wash (but they would have done that anyway), no gas.

 

Putnam Mazda, Burlingame, CA.

Just got my car back. No problem with the engine or cat. They flashed the PCM, replaced the leading plugs and also the battery although that was already replaced about a year ago, due to failing the test. I also requested the starter replacement which they did (it spins like crazy now, compared to the old one).
They didn't fill up the gas tank, and no CX-7 either (the rental was a Taurus from Hertz - let's just say that I'm extremely happy to have my car back).

 

After market intake[K&N] recall approved by phone 4:02 PM. I was called to get my car at 4:30PM. I just read the time of approval to do recall. Less than half an hour to do recall , change two plugs, wash & gas up. I live 41 miles from dealer and said I would be in today. I was told to get there by 9:30 or I would be charged for rental. I am not bashing dealer but wonder now. Why would they call Mazda at 4:02 PM and then do the work in about 25 minutes? I was third RX 8 in line at 9:30AM on the 19th. Maybe two techs. can do this recall easily in half an hour? My free rental was an Enterprise Chevrolet Malibu. This car does not make my long this for a future purchase.

 

55k mile 04 MT

Reflash, Plugs, Starter
Cat ok (ratio 0:1)
Vacuum test ok (readings 3.9 baro, 1.71 idle)

Rep at the dealer (Mazda of Cool Springs in Franklin TN) is a cool guy but seems to get his info late like many dealerships do. Did not run vacuum test the first time through. I had to point out my CEL service last spring with documented power loss to get the test done. Thankfully I passed. No gas (don't think they know and I'm not one to demand a free ride when I don't need one). The "wash" was obviously a half assed attempt at a wipe down leaving bugs on the front and partial dirt on doors, but they did shine up the tires. Again, I don't think they even knew about the wash and gas thing and I didn't bring it up.

But dyno (unreliable but all I have) says more power 3k-6k and much smoother throughout the whole rpm range. New starter is very cool!

I'm just glad my baby got a clean bill of health.

 

Can you kindly explain how the cat ratio and vaccuum readings work? I.E. what is a good range and what do the numbers mean. I'm going to make sure I get my specific # readings when I pick mine up tomorrow.

 

CosmoMpower, both the cat and vacuum readings are going to vary quite a bit . On the sheet my dealer gave me it showed a min and max vaule of 0:1 for the cat which is also the test value thier computer showed for my car. But, two others have posted different number that their dealers told them were good. Perhaps the model years make a difference. Mine is an '04. The vacuum test results will vary not only for each car but also the altitude where the car is tested. Sorry that isn't much help, but it's all I know.

If someone knows, please share more.

 

i took mine in a week ago all the did was change the spark plugs..my car doesnt feel different..however i use to get a flashing CEL once every so often when i drove it hard and since i took her in I havent seen that light..it is what it is!

 

Thanks for the info, I read on the actual repair procdure PDF as long as it's below 4.6:1 ratio than they won't replace your cat. They didn't make mention of the voltmeter test readings and what they mean.

According to their write up they hook the voltage multimeter to your car and through an online connection the computer will tell the tech if the car passes or fails and based on that ordering instructions for a remanufactured engine.

The write up does say REMANUFACTURED engine, not new.

 

Had my recall done yesterday in Charlottesville, VA. No engine problems or CAT problems. They replaced the leading plugs even though they were just replaced a couple months ago. And they reprogrammed the PCM.

No gas, no wash. I did ask for a car to drive and they sent me to the rental place where I got put in a Suzuki Forenza for the day(blech!).

I'm happy my car had no problems!

 

Well, all...I finally got the 8 back from the dealer. They tried to talk me into buying the '06 Shinka they had on the lot, I regretfully declined due to the fact they weren't willing to drop a few grand off the sticker, ohwell. Anyways, the new engine has definately a little more pep. Also, it has different note...it doesn't sound like an Indy racecar in the upper RPM range and it has more pull in the mid range. They also put new coil packs in, changed the oil, installed new plugs and wires, replaced the cat, performed the new flash, instaled new A/C controller, washed inside and out, filled her up with gas and told me to bring it back in a couple of months to have the Master Tech look over it again to make she was still doing OK. Let's hope this one lasts!?!

 

Did the recall. ECU flashed: told it was revision "T". Cat test performed: told the cat value was "0". Engine passed vacuum tests: "road tested with mop simulation test and vacuum check". Leading spark plugs replaced. Interior cleaned/vacuumed and exterior washed. Received 11.6 gallon top-off of premium fuel. It drove fine before, and I detect no significant difference afterward.

Jeff

 

Got mine back, they claimed to have done at least the test for the cat but did not give me new plugs since I bought the car in April and they had some new ones put in at delivery. He said they only gave new plugs if your car actually flooded before.

Basically they had my car 48 hrs to supposidly "check" the engine and cat and reflash the PCM. I did force them to give me a full tank of gas and wash my car though. Had a crappy Jeep Grand Cherokee rental.

Car feels about the same, gas mileage so far is about the same but at least I have peace of mind...kinda.

 

I hope you're wrong. I had my entire clutch replaced at 42K (and not due to misuse). That clutch had the squeak. I now have 63K, and I have the squeak again. Also, I have a clunking sound a lot of times when I'm stopped at a light and I push in the clutch and immediately shift into first from neutral. Idiots probably f'ed up the clutch install.

 

It amazes me when I read through the thread the misinformation that the dealer gives out and the what crap owners are willing to put up with. I don't think it's okay for them to scam owners, but I guess some don't mind. It's pathetic on both ends.

 

The scariest part of this is that other dealerships around are getting wind of this recall and they are now saying the market price of the RX-8 is dropping fast. I finally found a dealership that was unaware of the recall and ditched that car as fast as i could. I picked up a 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe and couldn't be happier. The HP in that thing blows the doors off of my 8 anyway, not to mention it is much nicer inside. Sell Fast if you can.

 

Ranged28, Have fun in your G35. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

The RX8 is a great car. I've had my RX8 for 2 1/2 years and 56k miles now. I am plenty happy with my RX8 and will be keeping it for quite some time.

 

Recall completed on 9-22-06

Tustin Mazda did a **** poor job performing the recall on my car. I complained about powerloss and they did not test drive my car, perform a compression test, or even bother to apply the Recall sticker under the hood.

I've got a copy of the Dealership repair instructions and MNAO will get a call from me soon...