Stalling - Idling rough, then ka-put!
 

Hey guys,

I've had my 8 since October. I never had a problem with it, except for the rattling sound at high rpm (still have it, I'm hoping it is the muffler/heat shield fix).

My car is an '04 w/ 90k+ miles on it (automatic), and i don't know what the problem is this time.

The car seems to be idling rough and every so often (more often then not lately) it would stall at a red light or when shifting from reverse to drive. The throttle response is amazingly lagging. I can only assume that it has something to do with the ignition system.

My garage that I've been going to for 15 years now, doesn't have the software for my new car to run a diagnostic, and I'm afraid what the price tag would be if i took it to the dealer, especially if i wasn't armed with some knowledge to what is going on in the first place. I don't have a warranty any longer, so everything at this point would be out of pocket.

I need help guys. You've been there for me in the past. I really don't have a clue this time. My guess would be fouled spark plugs, bad wires/distributor or something as simple as a computer issue.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks again
Keith

P.S. Can anyone recommend a cost-effective shop in south Jersey that has experience with 8's. I live in Palmyra, NJ (08065)- maybe a friend, or relative...

Have you checked your spark plugs and coil packs?

Some light!
 

A friend online thinks it may be coils and plugs...

Advanced auto parts was no help what so ever...what brands should i get? What costs am i looking at?

thanks
Keith

I would say plugs or coils too......but what do you mean by the throttle response is amaizingly lagging? Could possibly be the electronic throttle body.....

check www.onlinemazdaparts.com they have the best prices

when i press on the gas, you have to wait a second; sometimes 1.5s before it shotgun shifts.

-hard to explain.

I would suggest spending a $200 on a compression test, especially if your 04 auto with 90K miles hasn't had a motor replacement done on it previously. If you do think about doing this, you'll first want to search this site for info on what compression test consists of and what to expect for readings. Feel free to search on my ID and look for a thread called Blown Motor as one example. There are others as well.

I'm having exactly the same problem that you described with my '04 automatic, with about 28k miles on it. It's still under warranty, and at the Mazda dealership in Atlanta right now getting checked out. I'll let you know what the diagnosis is.

Perfect
 

Thanks!

I go in tomorrow. And, if you could, let me know what they would have charged if the warranty didn't cover it.


Thanks again!
Keith

Keith ... you might not want to hear this ...

I just got a call back from the dealership service rep, and they're going to replace the whole engine. He said it's definitely not the first one that they have replaced in the '04. I took it in for the same problem last summer, and they re-flashed the computer at that time and told me that Mazda has been replacing engines on some for this problem, and said they might do mine if I continue to have the problem. Well, they stuck to their promise.

I have about 6 months left on my 4-year warranty and lease (they cover exactly the same term), which ends in February '08. I'm hoping that the replacement of the engine will extend the warranty some, and then I'd love to re-lease the car for another year or more. There's no way I'd keep it after warranty though if I'm still having these stalling/idling problems. Anybody know what type of warranty the new engine will come with?

Replacement engines will contiue with original warranty time left. Unless it's under 12,000 miles then they willl give you a 12,000 mile 12 month warranty.
Mine went out at 35,000 and I will have warranty till 60,000 miles.
You ,also should have a 60,000 mile warranty.

Grim outlook.
 

VOODOO8:

I took you advice an got the compression test...:banghead: Sigh- they suggested replacing the motor. :puke:


Nate109:

sigh - Looks like you and I are in the same boat, but i don't have a warranty. :icon_no2:


The dealer wants 5,600.00 for an engine swap. But i found another company in Deptford, NJ "Engine World," with free towing, who found an engine with 22k miles...he quoted a full install, new fluids/filters for 4,200.00...

hopefully i can get creative and get another engine!!!


keith

I got 12,000 miles on my factory reman motor through the dealer that did the work in Manchester, NH (Werner Mazda - Mark is their roary tech. Nice guy and has done well by me since I got the car late in 03. I'm already through that warranty - motor showing some signs of aging via loss of top end max MPH but still holding together well otherwise.)

oh man that sucks. Really sucks. :(

I can only imagine what's going to happen to this car and it's reputation when more engines start failing out of warranty. Right now everyone seems to be pretty patient with it, but the second people have to start paying out of pocket this car will be in BIG trouble.

Might I suggest a call to Mazda NA and explain the situation to them. I mean perhaps there is a small chance that they will at least reduce the price or something for you.

mazda is no help!
 

i contacted Mazda customer relations department, who contacted my dealers district manager, who promptly declined any help due to the mileage on my car.

if anyone could point me in the right direction with other numbers i can call...i would be game, but as we speak it tis being towed to Engine world.

I don't have the money right now, so as i said im going to have to get creative...


still accepting suggestions...

Keith

I would contact a lawyer. With the LARGE no. of AT's failing, Mazda has to ackowledge a design flaw and can't predict when it will go. In this day and age, a new engine should go well past 90k miles.

Mike

its not a bad idea.

Are you still able to get the car going ? If so you may be able to try some of the decarbonising techniques mentioned on this site .
Not sure which is best but there is a good chance you'll get most of your compression back so worth trying - in my opinion .

no i cant get the car running for more than 3 seconds.


What would be my case if i do get a lawyer...

"hey my car broke..."

their defense would be that "the previous owner didn't maintain the car properly"...so then what?


thanks (just playing devil's advocate)

Your response - How many AT's have been replaced inside of warranty? How many has Mazda replaced outside of warranty (there are some on this site, just look) - What proof do you have that mine is not the same failure mode. Did not Mazda extend the warranty on the engines to 60K? Was this for customer satisfaction due to the high failure rates?

Mike