BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I think they are counting on being able to confuse you and hoping you would just authorize the work without question.

Do you have any friends to go with you, maybe with à witness, they will be less inclined to mislead you.

MsDenise

Yea, I'll be towing it to another location for a 2nd opinion. Hoping for more clarity.

MsDenise

I don't
Everyone I know is so busy right now. Slammed with work and finals.
eta: And I do think that's what he was trying to do.
How did he go from one thing being "destroyed" and "having" to be replaced to "maybe if we just fix the other parts it will be ok".

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I think if a Dealer diagnoses a failed cat within the warranty period THEY HAVE TO REPLACE IT!

How can you charge someone full price when it is still under warranty?

80CUofRAWHP

Just listen to Jedi54 with dealer recommendations. hopefully you'll get a good one with good news. Just give an update.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

MsDenise,
You may want to let the next dealer diagnose the problem without telling them what the last one told you.
They gave you a written estimate, yes?
If the next dealer tells you the same thing, tell them the catalytic converter is covered for 8 years.
Don't ask them, tell them.
If they are honest, they will agree.

80CUofRAWHP

I was referring to the extended warranty if you will read back. I don't know if she's under the original for her year and mileage. The extended only applies to core components.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Good luck MsDenise, I have to go now.
I'll check back later.
Please keep us updated.
BTW, 20+ years ago I was a mechanic working for an unethical boss.
I refused to lie to people & he let me be after that.
I have two grown daughters, and that kind of BS really ticks me off.
Good luck.

MsDenise

Thank you everybody for all the help and advice.
I will update as soon as I get any new information.

I wish I would have been a member of this forum sooner. You all are so helpful

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Lots of warranty confusion in here I think.

3yr 36,000 bumper to bumper (would cover everything, but it's expired on time and mileage)

5yr 60,000 powertrain warranty (would cover everything, but it's expired on time)

8yr 80,000 federal emissions warranty. This covers the catalytic converter by federal law. If you cat HAS failed, then it is still covered under warranty, and you get a new one for free. There isn't such a thing as "it's not time yet". The only thing the dealer will achieve by delaying or waiting is trying to push you past the warranty limits, so they don't have to cover it. Which is completely dishonest if that is their intent.
Ignition components MIGHT be covered under this warranty. They typically are not, however some owners have been successful in getting them covered.

8yr 100,000 engine core warranty. This covers JUST the engine core itself, and would only be replaced on a diagnosis of low compression. Ignition components are not covered under this warranty, never have been.


In short, the dealer there was trying to screw you over, giving you inconsistent and inaccurate information. It's likely that he never actually contacted Mazda Corp, OR if he did, he told them something different than he is telling you. MNAO wouldn't be giving you that kind of story, they know what the warranties are. At some level, that dealer is lying to you, and I would avoid them completely in the future.

Especially with you having the VIP package... this shouldn't be happening.


The ignition tends to fail around 30,000 miles since last change, coils, plugs, and wires can be had for ~$190 shipped to your door, and with the large RX-8 community in socal, you should have no trouble at all finding another member willing to help you change them out. Probably cost you a pizza or a couple beers. (just watch out for the leg humpers ) Ignition failure often causes cat failure.

The motor mount price isn't absurdly high, but you can get it done for cheaper.

That cat should be free.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hi RIWWP,
I was trying to help MsDenise last night.
I can't believe there are scumbag service mgrs. still trying to take advantage of people.

Don't they know the easiest way to lose business is to rip people off?

People will more often talk about bad experiences rather than the good.
It's clowns like that who perpetuate the negative stereotype of crooked mechanics which colors the industry as a whole.

I hope a member reaches out and helps her.
I would if I could.

MsDenise

just a quick update**
I got my car back from the dealer (I have the report and will be posting it on here for you guys to check out) and I had it towed to my Uncle's shop. I totally forgot he's a mechanic.
He'll be changing the spark plugs and coils for me instead of the really high price the dealer wanted me to pay.
Then I'm going to be calling around to a different Mazda dealer and see what they tell me about the warranty on the catalytic converter.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Ms Denise,
before calling around, I'd recommend having your uncle remove the cat and perform a visual inspection.
it's a very quick process for a mechanic with a lift.

If you call dealerships, I fear they'll just tell you, "bring it in and we'll take care of it" only to have you go through the same thing all over again.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hi MsDenise,
Did you have a.CEL code for a bad converter?
If so, I would think that would mean you have a bad converter.
I'm 99% sure you could get it replaced under warranty at a reputable dealer.
Especially if you have a diagnostic printout stating you have a bad cat.
It would help to know what's in the report.

Hi Jedi,
Do you think removing the converter at somewhere other than the dealer might give them an excuse to claim tampering and void the warranty?

Just a concern I have.

I think changing ignition parts off-sight would be OK.
I would have that done before getting new cat for sure.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I would.change wires too.

MsDenise

Here's the report.
I would love to hear what you guys think.
The engine needing to be decarbed is news to me. The sale rep never mentioned it to me.

MsDenise

I just posted the report. Looks to me like there was a P0301 code. I don't see it say anything about a .CEL code. It says the catalytic converter read 3.628

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hi MsDenise,
I'm not an expert, but from what I've read , engine decarb is a process that cleans the carbon build-up out of the inner surfaces of your rotor housings, usually through the intake.
Mazda uses their own cleaned, some people DIY with a product called Seafoam, some say even distilled water.
If you don't rev your engine to the redline regularly, carbon builds up, which ruins the seals, and causes compression loss, which means new engine time.
I believe this is a somewhat normal maintenance procedure.

MsDenise

hmmm...maybe that's the issue for me.
I never rev it to the redline.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Yes, the code is not there.

I believe it's "420, catlytic converter below
threshhold".
I see 'recommended',.not failed,needed, or required,
which leads me to believe they were trying to get you to buy a converter hoping you wouldn't know better, and avoiding a warranty claim.
Much like "Elective Surgery'.

MsDenise

wow, the service rep is such a piece of work.
He told me in his words , "It was destroyed"
Now I'm wondering if he ever called Mazda to begin with.
I knew his story was inconsistent.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I have never heard of the switching ration they talk about.
Maybe a more knowledgeable member may know more about that.
Did you have the check engine light come on before your trouble started?

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

CEL is "Check Engine Light", it comes on for a number of reasons, you then can get your codes scanned for free at many part stores.

MsDenise

Never before the day I had the car towed. When I turned on my car to try and move it out of the driveway so the tow truck guy could get it, it turned on then.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if just misfires could disable your car so quickly.
I had a CEL for bad cat and misfires, but mine only ran bad at high RPMs.
I'm hoping some other members weigh in with their opinions.

If the cat strata broke up and blocked your exhaust, that could stop it from running.
That's why Jedi was saying your Uncle could check it out.