I was pulling out of Lourdes Hospital parking lot in Camden after visiting my wife Saturday a week ago when my 8 just sputtered & died. I drifted over to the curb, wouldnt restart, but not a flood situation. I called AAA & then quickly called my daughter & her fiance to come join me as I didnt want to be sitting, broken-down, in a nice (dead) sports car in Camden too long. I had it towed to my house assuming the dealer was locked up late on Saturday night. With the situation with my wife, I didnt get it towed to Maple Shade Mazda in Turnersville until last Friday.
Finally today, I heard from them & I need a new motor. I almost made it seven years without a big problem, only a week shy. Im hoping it will run like new?! when I get it back in what... 3, 4 weeks?
So I wont be out on the road for awhile, but no one ever sees me anyway. I miss it already when I see other nice cars & Im in my wife's Santa Fe. I have to settle with getting pimped at the traffic lights for awhile, too.
I'll let you know how the new engine is...whenever that may be.

 

Do they know what actually happened to it?

 

It's essentially a brand new engine; the recent remanufactured ones are pretty solid. Presumably in much better shape than the one that just died on you.

And you got it close to when your warranty runs out. So, with the exception of the hassle of it all, consider this a good thing! Just remember to break it in properly.

 

Should be 3-4 weeks from the day you bring in it. I just got my new engine on saturday. It was a little over 3 weeks when I got my car back. Its been incredible, I cant believe the difference in performance from my low compression motor. I have been keeping it under 4K for about 500 miles, but I can tell already its much smoother and pulls much harder.

The order should be this.. fail compression test.. Zoom Zoom Engine Cleaner.. Compression Test 2.. Fail again.. wait for engine to come (3-4 days).. Install Engine (2-3 Days). Hopefully you have as good an experience as I did (North Penn Mazda). It did take some time but Im very satisfied with the outcome. Good Luck!

 

easiest way to find out is to call the dealer and ask.

ask how long they think it will take and how many engines the tech working on your car has replaced.

 

The service guy called me today & said basically what the guy who called me last week said...except I have to pay a $225 diagnostic charge.?
I know Im getting a new engine, but is this charge standard?
Chris: Did you have to pay this charge?
Thanks, Duke

 

many people have had to pay some other "misc charges" in the course of getting their engine replaced.

 

Duke, I did not have to pay any misc charges. Since the engine was out I replaced clutch and flywheel, and the tech mentioned I could use new spark plugs. Came out to be about 750$ in parts. Hardly any labor was charged because the engine was already out. I was not charged any other fees. I would fight this one a bit, they may not cave, but there is no reason to charge the customer for a diagnostic fee, if anything that fee should be tacked onto Mazda's warranty bill as it is part of the engine replacement. Good luck.

 

very true.

 

Got the 8 back today. First drive since June 11, when it died on me.
I went home with the keys to the loaner car; I guess I was in a big hurry to get away from the dealership!
Cost; $212, for "diagnostics."