RX-8 Compression Test Questions/Dealership problems
 

Hey -

My 2004 Manual RX-8 has been having some hard start issues. When it's been running for 10-15 minutes and I turn it off I can't get it to start again for at least a half hour. I've replaced the coils, plugs, and wires - I've been reading the forums and most have said that this is probably due to compression issues.

I called a dealership and asked how much they'd charge for a compression test and they quoted me $150. I then dropped it off at the dealer. He called me back today and told me that they can't do the compression test because the starter is an old starter, and it's starting to slow. Is he giving me a load of crap here? Again, the car starts fine when I have it on a cold start, so I feel like the starter isn't necessarily the issue. And I'm about 2 months and 4k miles from being outside the engine warranty.

Now the dealer wants to charge me $60 just for telling me the starter is bad and that it needs a TB cleaning. Am I getting jerked around here? Can a compression test still be performed with the older, weaker RX-8 starter? How do I register a complaint at this dealership for what they're telling me? I specified right when I called that all I wanted was a compression test, no diagnostics, and this is what they're trying to do.

PS - Trying to charge me $530 for a starter replacement and $100 for a TB cleaning.

TB cleaning.....what has that got to do with anything :(

If the starter is too slow it will be harder to start..but if it starts cold and then won't resart warm that is a different issue....

What rpm was it cranking at?
If your engine was cranking at 245 rpm, then it shouldn't be an issue.
It it was cranking at 101 rpm, then you might want to replace that.

BC.

1) $150 for compression test is a tiny bit steep...but i dont think its TOO unreasonable..
2) im going to call bullshit on that $60 charge, they did nothing at all IMO and dont deserve a penny.
3) Mazda North America may try to pull some weak starter bull on you, but like someone said it should be okay as is unless its anything less than 200..
4) if the starter really is cranking slow, go buy the upgraded starter for much cheaper elsewhere and swap it out yourself in the lot, and if you want get some TB cleaner and clean that yourself too. very simple, easy, and quick do to.

Thats my opinion on what to do..

The reason the dealer is calling a starter is the compression test calculations take into account the RPM's of the motor, the target is 250rpm's. They do have a calculation to adjust the readings with a lower number but this isn't as accurate.

If the dealer can tell you what RPM's the starter is running at the moment then yes they deserve there $60 because they would have needed to at minimum get the car in the garage unhook the crank sensor and get a reading on the motor with the starter alone turning it. I would assume the TB cleaning is a suggestion, but you should be able to clean the MAF yourself pretty easily, not sure why the TB would be an issue and if it is the TB that is dirty you got other problems.

Changing a starter is easy if your comfortable getting under your car, if not you've got to pay the piper.

Cheers