check engine light is on because of the O2 censors, the upstream and down stream, is it best just to take it to Mazda and have them fix them it will cost me about $500 for both of them, or is there a better way to go about this problem?

 

talk to Paul at Mazmart, they are a forum vendor here and can get you the sensors at a good price.
Once you have them, go to a local mechanic and have them swapped out or do it yourself. Rather simple install either way

 

How hard is it to swap the sensors yourself?

 

if you have the car up on stands, it's not too hard.
the front is at the exhaust manifold which is behind the front passenger tire
the rear is near the catalytic converter which is towards the back half of the car.

you'll need a torque wrench and an 02 sensor socket.

 

I don't have a stand or the equipment, so it seems it would just be better to order the parts and take it to a local mechanic?

 

Or see if some local rotary brethren can help you. Where are you from?

 

I am near Harrisburg Pennsylvania

 

KDR is in Pa. he has been doing rotarys for as long as I can remember I haven't been there yet buy I will be going this winter for my FD and dyno it again

 

Where in PA?

 

http://www.kdrotary.com/

 

I'm not a big fan of censors

How do you know that the O2 sensors are bad? Both sensors? Really?
Maybe something else is causing the problem.
What's your year, mileage, maintenance history?
Any drive-ability or performance issues?

 

Yes they are not blown or not working they are just the reason the check engine light is on. My car's performance is still good, I still average 17 miles to the gallon and it runs fine, so I am not sure what to do. Because they will eventually need to be replaced. When my car was scanned that is the only thing that came up for the check engine was the o2 sensors.

 

Do you have the codes?

 

dark brew thank you for your help, I am getting it scanned again on tuesday so I will know for sure then what the actual codes are I am getting a second opinion just in case the first guy was trying to bs me.

 

I got mine scanned for free at Pepboys. Just get the codes and report them here and the experts here will let you know what it means or could mean.

 

front o2 sensor cost more than rear. hmm, 500 bux is a bit more, 400 bux is more like it.

 

Rosenthal Mazda (aka Finishline Performance) has two O2 sensors with different part numbers, both at $119.95. I had assumed one is the front O2 sensor and the other the rear O2 sensor, but now I'm not sure.

Could someone check the pics on that website and explain the difference?

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ction=0&page=3

 

are you serious?

click each of them and READ

*facepalm x 4*

there is a reason why I said the FRONT cost more than the REAR ... because it is.

For the record, this is the part number for the "real" Front O2 sensor

N3H3-18-8G1A - Manual Transmission
N3H2-18-8G1B - Auto Transmission

 

Oh ok now i see. One is for manual and the other is for automatic. I didn't know auto and manual are different.

Why would I know that? That's why I asked someone to explain the difference, which you did. Duh.

 

u still didn't get it? the ones u shown me are REAR O2 sensor.

thats why I said "read".

Front cost MORE. Simple. Part number listed above.

thats why I said if the dealership is charging him 500, thats robbery. 400 is more like it. but MSRP of those sensors are like 320 and 160? so I guess thats why they're "trying" to charge him 500.

 

alright I have one code for my ABS which is C1233, not sure what it means and what to do, and the other one is for the check engine light of P0420, not sure what that one means either or what to do. If anyone could help me understand what these mean and what I should do about them that would be awesome. Thanks guys

 

Jesus H.

There's a whole section on CEL codes and what they mean.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/rx-8-technical-info-cel-codes-pcm-pin-list-collision-guide-26291/

Please search before the 'help' shout out....


Xmas facepalm.

 

thats helps a lot I have to take it into the shop, I have no leaks so it must be the O2 sensors of what I originally thought, I am curious if there is another thread on the other code I found, do you know of anymore? Thanks Stealth

 

click the link in my sig. don't ask another question until AFTER you've learned to master it

 

yes I have searched for this code on the website and could not find it that is why I was asking about it.