Ok, so I just got my 30k service done and a lundry list of recalls. Most of the recalls were minor with the exception of the new flash and spark plug replacement. I would normally do the 30k service myself, but I just bought this car and really got the 30k done as more of an inspection.

To make a long story short, my car spent 2 weeks at the dealer. I was expecting to get it back, and it would feel like a new car. And it definately feels different, but bad different. The car hesitates from 1,000-5,000rpm, and from 5-10k feels great. The hesitation does not feels bad in 1st and 2nd gear, but it all the higher gears it is very very noticable. I did a search today, and found lots of info stating similar things, and in one i noticed somebody asked if the car hesitated in neutral, and never went into detail any further. Thats why I created this thread. I was hoping somebody might be able to shed some light on this fo me before Monday( the day i take it back to the dealer) with some kind of ideas. My car in neutral seems fine, but in gear it feels totally foreign.

Any Ideas would be really helpful and appreciated.

 

It could be any number of things. How many times have you driven it since you got it back? Bring it back the sooner the better.

 

Ive driven it 3 times since I got it back. I have all intentions of bringing it back up on Monday, but I was hoping to let them know of some possible reasons for the eratic powerband.

I know sometimes dealerships like to pass the buck, and I figure the more informed I am the better.

 

After a new PCM load it takes a few drive cycles for the cars logic to adjust, I believe its 5 drive cycles. You might look under the hood and make sure the wires are conected to the spark plugs, some people have found loose ones after recall. Just look things over, then drive it a couple more times. Then you did what you could before giveing it back to them.

 

How was the car running before you took it in for the 30K service?

 

It was running great before service. I was really just trying to be a proactive owner. Last night when I was driving home the CEL came on, so now i know something is definately wrong. From what I've read im starting to think it is the coils. A few other have had their coils go bad right after the recall service, and experianced similar hesitation. Im thinking im one of the unlucky few.

Does that sound like a reasonable conclusion to you guys?

 

OK, so I just got back from Colonial Mazda in CT. It turns out that one of the leading spark plugs that was replaced in the recall was cracked and also the wires were not making full contact, and therfore not carring the spark like they should.. They did not have the parts on hand so they took them right out of a new 8 on the lot. They gave me all new plugs and wires for no cost. Always great service at that dealership.

Thanks Old Rotor and Mazda for your responses

 

Wow, I wish they'd talk to my dealership, it is always like pulling teeth with my dealer.

 

Yeah, I even talked to the service manager about the new exhaust and RP supercat that I just bought. I asked him if these and the future mods im planning on doing will hinder any future warranty work.

His exact words, "Were all young guys that work here. We all put performance modifications on our cars, and I would never deny you warranty work over any performance modification you make."

Can't beat that answer.

 

Glad to help. How lucky you are to have a excellent dealership, service is everything in the car world. We all want different things in our vehicles but we wont come back and we wont send anyone else if we dont feel we got good service.