I have been posting a lot lately about issues with my '04 m/t rx8. I'm having a myriad of problems (including my cat getting red hot.) My husband called the dealership today to ask about 2 recalls, msp16, and some issues we are having. They said we can bring it in on Monday but its probably the plugs and coils (which i TOLD him they would say). But nope we recently had plugs changed and I changed the coils. They said the only recall for my vin is the clutch pedal bracket. But the TSB post on this site also has a thermal damage inspection classified as a recall, and my vin matches that as well. They said they will check my compression and if it is low they will replace the motor for free. But I am pretty worried about my cat, and they basically said that there isn't a reason to check or replace it. My husband said he SAW it glowing red, and my car is under 50,000 miles..so why wouldn't they check and replace it, if it needs it?

 

get them to check your cat.

 

You'll probably have to agree to pay them to drop your cat and see if it's crumbled inside. Unless there's a code typically they won't budge on their dime without cause, and someone saying they want them to doesn't cut it. If it is bad however, they should replace it within the emissions warranty at no charge.

 

Surely when they run the codes on it, something will pop up. I have no problem paying for the diagnostics on it, just do not want to be responsible for the cost of a new cat. As long as a code on it comes up, I guess I'm good..well...I hope.

 

They don't have to drop the cat to inspect it....they just need to scan the computer and check MODE 6 data. It's already in their engine check procedure bulletin.

I noticed your other post. I assume you got your car started? If it was flooded there may be a lot of unburnt fuel in the cat still. How long have you had it running since you got it started? It may need a good long hard drive to clear the cat out.

One more thing. If your battery was weak or dead while trying to start it, you will usually lose your MODE 6 data out of the computer. Therefore will have to drive it awhile to get another reading.

 

No I still am unable to get it started-

 

You'd think so... but when my cat went bad, no codes, no nothing. I went in the dealer, TOLD THEM my cat was bad. They refused to look because MNAO said they didn't think it was bad (what do they know 4000mi away in CA - I was driving it FCOL - and I knew - car woundn't go over 60mph in 3rd gear!)... unless I paid for it.

Sure enough - bad cat - replaced without a problem. Car dealers and common sense - don't mix much.

 

Any idea what a dealer would charge to check the cat? I'm at 78,000 miles, and would love to have some assurance it's not failing before I reach the 80,000 mile mark.

Beyond an occasional hot starting problem, and occasional slight lack of power from 3,000 rpm up I don't really have any obvious symptoms. I'm guessing if my cat was clogged to the point a visual test would easily see it, I'd also be having much more obvous symptoms?

 

^ should take too long... but ask.. you know dealers....!

When my CAT failed... to the point I couldn't exceed 65mph in any gear... there was no CEL, no indication whatsoever. MNAO wouldn't, I repeat wouldn't agree they could drop the CAT to look. They sent my ECU back to calif for a reflash, lot's of other buslls$it attempts at diagnosis, nada. Took 4 weeks for that crap.

Finally, finally, after all that and no result.....the lead tech at the dealer said this is BS, we need to look at the CAT, because they were just pounding sand. Surprise! Totally clogged CAT. Sad, just sad.

 

When my cat clogged, similar issues, I pulled the cat off, put it in the trunk, put on a midpipe, drove 90 minutes to a dealer I knew was reasonable. He came out to get the car info, I popped the trunk and showed him the cat, and he nodded and said "yep, new cat. We will have one ordered. Call you when it shows up!"

 

Any updates from the op?