hey guys my 8 is not starting easy. you have to turn the key for like 3 seconds to get it to start. this may be because i am hesitant to start it so that it wont flood or mess up the engine. would this be something mazda would cover under the warranty. i mean it could be the spark plugs but im not sure.

-Brett

 

Verify that your car has the upgraded battery, starter and spark plugs. Depending on the build date, it may or may not have them. If not, you will want to take it to the dealer and tell them you are having hard starts. Recent builds have some or all of the upgraded parts, most '04s do not unless they were added later. Search around the forum and you will find the dates when the various newer parts were being installed at the factory. Or maybe someone who know the dates can chime in?

EDIT: For additional information, see the service bulletin at the link below:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...4-05-1448e.pdf

 

I had the same problem, they wouldn't replace said items (starter, battery, plugs) unless the car flooded.

Try to flood it is the only thing i can suggest...

 

If you tell the dealer that the car is having a hard time starting--like extended slow cranking--and they don't immediately offer to replace those components, you should see another dealer. If you are having this problem, there should be absolutely no hesitation on the part of the dealer to complete the service bulletin procedure--that is, unless you already have the upgraded components.

 

Try calling the Mazda 800 number. A number of people have had success getting the OK from MNAO for the battery/starter/plugs upgraded where the dealership refused to do it.

 

One thing to try is turn the key "on" but wait 2 or 3 seconds before turning to "start". Gives the fuel pump time to pressurize the line. This may or may not make a difference for you.

 

But he really shouldn't have to do that. Sounds like something is wrong somewhere.

 

Well, I had a CEL kick in this week called Pacifico Mazda to have it checked. My 04 flooded before the TSB and they did the deflood. Over the last cold spell in February, I had some slow starts so I talked with the Service Manager about the TSB when I set up the appointment for the CEL. He told me the car would have to flood again for them to do the TSB work. Terrific, I'm at 41K, will be out of warranty before next winter. Because it flooded early and I've been paranoid careful about warmup it doesn't look like I can even get the new starter. Hell, I'd pay for and replace the plugs and battery myself at this point. My concern is that I use the 8 for work and travel to the colder parts of the state all winter.

Pacifico has been pretty good service overall, unlike the dealership I bought from. But it sure would be good to get the new starter but I'm not willing to try to induce a flood. You'd think that at least having had a past flood would be a reason for the upgraded starter.

 

Call mazda NA that is unacceptable. It's a known problem and you should make them fix it before you are out of warranty. Either that or just purposely flood your car.

 

Yup - the dealer should do it without question. You could tell them you flooded it and fixed yourself it with the de-flood procedure. But really they should do it without you giving them stories.

 

I guess I will call Mazda NA about it, I sure don't want to pay for a deflood and repairs out of warranty, when there is a TSB and parts that can lower the risk. But it is a PITA that I need to go through this process to get something done.