New Engine - Ridiculous wait, no communication
07-29-2009, 08:48 AM
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New Engine - Ridiculous wait, no communication
Well, On July 10th my engine died on I-20 on my way to the airport. I had it towed to the dealership and expected to hear from them Saturday morning. After calling a couple of times, I finally heard back in the early afternoon and was asked for my approval to have them run a diagnostic test and they would "get back to me later today". Well, of course, they didn't get back to me until Monday the 13th, when they told me the ignition coils, plugs, and plug wires all needed to be replaced, at which point they could run a compression test and see if I needed a replacement engine. I approved the work and they said they would let me know that afternoon what the results of the compression test were. After repeated phone calls over the next couple of days, they finally let me know that they could not complete the compression test because of a bad cat (which seems odd to me, but they were adamant that was teh case), but it had been ordered and would be in the next day. At that point, we were onday 5, still knowing nothing more than we did when the engine died on the 10th, and me with NO mode of transportation.
Next, the cat was back-ordered and they didn't know when they could get one. Two days on the phone bitching until they finally tracked one down and assured me it would be in Monday (July 20th). Well, it arrived Wednesday the 22nd, the compression test was done; the engine needed to be replaced. Wonderful. Now it is July 29th, I've been without transportation for 19 days, and there is no estimate of when the engine will be in or my car will be ready.
I have found the communication from the dealership to be attrocious, the service sub-par, and the fact that they will not, after repeated requests, help out with a car is, I think, ludicrous.
Sorry for the bitch-session, but do I have a legitimate gripe to Mazda NA? Maybe I can get some kind of break on the coils, plugs, and wires, or at least a car so I can get back and forth to work! If any of you have any thoughts or advice, please feel free to comment.
Cheers!
JBG
Next, the cat was back-ordered and they didn't know when they could get one. Two days on the phone bitching until they finally tracked one down and assured me it would be in Monday (July 20th). Well, it arrived Wednesday the 22nd, the compression test was done; the engine needed to be replaced. Wonderful. Now it is July 29th, I've been without transportation for 19 days, and there is no estimate of when the engine will be in or my car will be ready.
I have found the communication from the dealership to be attrocious, the service sub-par, and the fact that they will not, after repeated requests, help out with a car is, I think, ludicrous.
Sorry for the bitch-session, but do I have a legitimate gripe to Mazda NA? Maybe I can get some kind of break on the coils, plugs, and wires, or at least a car so I can get back and forth to work! If any of you have any thoughts or advice, please feel free to comment.
Cheers!
JBG
07-29-2009, 08:57 AM
#2
<3's Bunnies
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How many miles are on your rx8? Everything should be covered under warranty depending on your miliage and year. The engine is good from 100k/8yrs I'm not sure if it covers new sparks and coils but a lot of people luck out and get them for free when having an engine replaced. If you must purchase the coils/sparks you can do so from our vendors and save yourself a massive amount of cash from the dealer. Also theres an extended Warranty on the Cat, I cant recall the actually miliage, and the extended drivetrain warrantys to 60k/5yrs for all 04-05.
If you fall within those ranges then everything should be covered under warranty and you dont have to pay for a thing. Good luck with everything and hopefully your car will be back up and running soon.
If you fall within those ranges then everything should be covered under warranty and you dont have to pay for a thing. Good luck with everything and hopefully your car will be back up and running soon.
07-29-2009, 09:02 AM
#3
With the compression test done and knowing that you do need a new engine, everything that was done to determine that should be covered under warranty. I'd half imagine they would try to charge you for those items (coils, plugs, etc), but I think you can argue your case of bad service and dead engine for it.
07-29-2009, 09:18 AM
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Thanks for the replies ,
I'm at 75,000 so the engine and cat are covered. You're probably right that I should be able to argue a HUGE discount on the plugs, coils, wires, and labor since this has been such a hassle (and since they're all related). I'll try to hit them up for that this week, and I'll explain to the service manager about how unresponsive her staff has been. She has been very helpful in the past, so maybe I can get some help out of her.
I'm at 75,000 so the engine and cat are covered. You're probably right that I should be able to argue a HUGE discount on the plugs, coils, wires, and labor since this has been such a hassle (and since they're all related). I'll try to hit them up for that this week, and I'll explain to the service manager about how unresponsive her staff has been. She has been very helpful in the past, so maybe I can get some help out of her.
07-29-2009, 09:22 AM
#5
yeah try that first ... be nice ... and if they dont listen to you or continue to treat you this way call mazda usa and give em hell over the phone ... trust me they want you off the phone and will offer you alot of stuff just to get rid of you ....
unfortunatley mazda does not cover your plugs coils and wires. However you should get all the labor for free.
07-29-2009, 10:33 AM
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07-29-2009, 11:03 AM
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This is my experience. They use the old plugs etc when you get a "new" engine. Seems absurd to me, but that's how it is. I told them to replace them at my expense. They of course don't have them in stock, they have to order anything no matter what it is. I was promised my 8 yesterday, now today. I'm not holding my breath. Except in my rental Corolla which smells like butt and smoke.
07-29-2009, 11:26 AM
#10
RX-Heaven
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they should have run the compression test first and foremost. shame on tehm for not doing that sooner. Mazda dealers have consistently been lacking in rotary engine diagnostics for many many years. i've found only recently has it gotten any better. the dealer i take my RX-8 to for warranty work is pretty decent. they take my advice on what to look at or repair on my car and they have even asked my opinion for rotary repairs on several occasions when i've been picking up parts, lol. keeps a good relationship with the dealer i guess.
keep us posted on your cars progress. i hope they're provided you with a loaner car for your inconvenience.
keep us posted on your cars progress. i hope they're provided you with a loaner car for your inconvenience.
07-29-2009, 11:27 AM
#11
if your engine had been modded (CAI, coil upgrade, midpipe, ) does this all void the 100k/8yr. warrent?
Or is it only if they can proove an aftermarket part was the cause?
Also, i do my own oil changes, does this have an affect on warrenty?
GOODLUCK with the car!
Or is it only if they can proove an aftermarket part was the cause?
Also, i do my own oil changes, does this have an affect on warrenty?
GOODLUCK with the car!
07-29-2009, 12:29 PM
#14
they should have run the compression test first and foremost. shame on tehm for not doing that sooner. Mazda dealers have consistently been lacking in rotary engine diagnostics for many many years. i've found only recently has it gotten any better. the dealer i take my RX-8 to for warranty work is pretty decent. they take my advice on what to look at or repair on my car and they have even asked my opinion for rotary repairs on several occasions when i've been picking up parts, lol. keeps a good relationship with the dealer i guess.
keep us posted on your cars progress. i hope they're provided you with a loaner car for your inconvenience.
keep us posted on your cars progress. i hope they're provided you with a loaner car for your inconvenience.
07-30-2009, 03:56 PM
#15
Thx!
07-30-2009, 04:11 PM
#16
07-30-2009, 04:24 PM
#17
I got the rental from the actual service department at the dealer. The service rep who checked me in said in wouldn't take more than a week (5 Business Days). It's been 16 days so I'll have to cross my fingers and see how it plays out.
Does anyone have a copy of the Extended Engine Warranty letter?
Thx.
Does anyone have a copy of the Extended Engine Warranty letter?
Thx.
07-30-2009, 04:33 PM
#19
SARX Legend
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I got the rental from the actual service department at the dealer. The service rep who checked me in said in wouldn't take more than a week (5 Business Days). It's been 16 days so I'll have to cross my fingers and see how it plays out.
Does anyone have a copy of the Extended Engine Warranty letter?
Thx.
Does anyone have a copy of the Extended Engine Warranty letter?
Thx.
07-30-2009, 04:41 PM
#20
$1,124.21 for a new motor, free oil & filter, free coolant flush, free brand new spark plugs and the extra needed parts isn't so bad at all!
