Daniel Payton

I just bought an rx8 with 55k miles. It has been using coolant with no indication of where its going. Upon doing and extensive search on the internet it seems the coolant seals are busted in the engine. so it looks like rebuild time. The car is a little hard to start sometimes, and harder at times. it runs like a champ for a few hours, then the engine starts to miss at high rpm. Im sick over the whole thing but im just going to suck it up and fix the problem because the car is cosmetically perfect.

I have two options in my opinion.\\

1. Let the dealer replace the motor... do you guys know how much they charge?
2. take it to kevin at rotary resurrection in tn which is about 550 miles from me and from what it says on his site he can rebuild the engine, remove and replace back into the car for right under 3k.

georgemagana

warranty?

Old Rotor

Mazda warranty covers the engine for 8years or 100K. Do you have proof of service?

lateralus

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, it could very well get a new one for free... If you have proof of maintenance (receipts for oil changes etc) then you should definitely get it for free... And depending on where you go some dealerships have given them even without much proof of maintenance...

Where in AL are you located?

Daniel Payton

So i broke down and called the dealership yesterday to inquire on the purchase and install of a new engine. After they found out the car only had 55k miles on it, and ive only put 750 miles on it since i purchased it, they said there is an excellent chance mazda will grant a warranty repair on the engine. i was reluctant and told them i was the second owner of the car and could not provide maintenece records for the car, they replied with "you cannot be held liable to provide those records because you are the second owner. we are almost certain we can help you as long as there are no midifications to the cars wiring harness". To my luck there are no modifications to the car and its in mint condition.

They looked up the previous owners records and found them all the way back to the original sale year. They also concluded that the car had never been denied any warranty claim nor has it had a second engine put in it. The conversation ended with the head mechanic and the head of the service department saying, and i quote "im sure we can make this happen". They haven't had a chance today to look at the car or do the tests mazda requires to get the warranty granted.

I just hope they are truthful and they are not just trying to hit me for the 200.00 they will charge me for the diagnostics if the repair is denied. I will certainly report back.

Geeze i love this car. I hope they help me otherwise ill be towing it to kevin in tennesse to rotary resurrection to do the work. His prices are unbeatable. Until i get the car fixed, in stuck driving my dirty work truck, the ole f350 turbo diesel.

xexok

Thats what I always figured. I bought my car with 20k miles on it and have no paperwork with it at all. Did an oil change right away and have done another 2 or 3 since then saving all my paperwork.

I dont see how they could possibly punish you for a previous owners failures. At least the other guy took it to the dealership for all the maintenance.

Daniel Payton

If they do honor the repair, i will never buy anything but mazda cars again.... Besides my beefy work trucks... Gotta have that and the vag wagon. I left the dealership with hope, as i had none before i spoke with them.

Gitfiddle

iTrader: (1)

I've been in your shoes man, sh*tty feeling. Hope they give you a shiny new engine!

Daniel Payton

Thanks man, i hope they do too. This is the first time in years i've had a weekend car... Either way, its going to get a warranty engine from mazda or ill pay kevin at rotary resurrection to hook it up. There's no way i'm going to pay the dealership 5k+ to do a swap.

lateralus

iTrader: (1)

That is awesome...

What part of Alabama are you in? Mine is an '04, so I want to have it checked before the warranty runs out soon... I live in AL, and it sounds like the dealer you went to would be the best one for me to take it to.

Daniel Payton

Well guys, mazda called me today. Looks like my car is getting a new engine covered under warranty!!! What what.... I'm lucky. The mechanic told me i would have to pay around 400.00 dollars for the coils and new plugs.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Purchase the parts online and provide them to him and cut that price in half.

Daniel Payton

He was kinda soup nazish about it... 400.00 for a new or reman engine... i'll pay it.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Can I have some money? I mean if you're just going to throw money away I could use some.

lateralus

iTrader: (1)

What dealer did you go to?

Daniel Payton

Mazda of mobile.

Daniel Payton

I wouldnt really call it throwing money away. I had already come to terms with breaking off 3-5k for a reman engine and install. The way i see it, i got quite the discount.

1.3_LittersOfFurry

iTrader: (4)

I would gladly pay 400 for a new/remain engine as well.

terch1

iTrader: (2)

Good deal. I also paid for new plugs and coils when my engine got replaced. Have them check the motor mounts as well. Mine were shot so I had them replaced while the engine was out.

Daniel Payton

The mechanic called me today. He said my replacement motor had arrived. He said it will be ready tuesday. Pictures below