I had powerloss in the upper rpm range, I had taken it in twice before for the same issue. Dealer replaced coil packs and sparkys both times, they told it was to hold me over until the recall became official. Cool for me. Set up appointment for the 11th of the month, a few hours later got the call that they had ordered my new engine and it would be back to me in 9 days. I picked her up last Thursday, got the new engine, new coil packs, new sparkys, new cat, PCM flash, oil change, full detail and a gas card for two fill-ups. This new engine feels completely different than the old one...much more power in all rpm ranges, very smooth pull, and an entirely different exhaust note (much like a tuned V8). I'm loving it so far, and as far as break-in period...MNAO told me by email that there isn't one but, just to follow what it says in the owners manual (p.4-7) for 600 miles and the engine is good to go.

 

Got my 8 back yesterday. They said there were no problems, just the reflash and plugs. They gave me a 3 for a loaner (what a gutless car) and topped off my tank. Then the service manager that helped me tried to sell me the MS CAI for $700 (including labor). Yeah, right. They overprice everything at my dealership.

Haven't noticed any difference in performance since the work was done.

 

Brought mine in today. Looks like all they did was the flash - which makes sense since it's got only 3000 miles and has been running great. (Just noticed that the invoice says 0.70 hours tech time for the recall, which means that they did change the plugs. So I got flash and leading plugs.)

They washed it, but didn't add gas. Maybe they figured they had a wise guy on their hands, since I brought it in almost empty. The wash did more immediate good for me than gas would have.

Free Chevy Aveo rental car for the day - I guess that's what happens when they have Enterprise on-site in the service area. Not really a problem: nobody I know saw me driving it (whew!) and it felt *so* good to get back in the 8 this evening.

Dealer is Rosenthal Nissan-Mazda in Tyson's Corner, VA. I get free oil changes for the first two years. The service writer saw I was a hair over 3000 miles, and said something like "You're almost due - let's do it now." So it looks like they are not chintzy about the intervals for the free oil changes.

I still haven't gotten the recall letter from Mazda. I was notified by a post card from the dealer.

Ken

 

first of all, the recall was done and i have only noticed my idle is running below 1k where before it was a little over 1k. nothing else has changed. now, the bad part.

ok, mine went in last friday at 7am. i got it back at 12.30 with a nice little scratch on top of the front left fender. has anyone else had this happen to them from the dealership?

just curious, as it was back into the same shop to "get it taken care of", then they tell me the normal guy who does this kind of thing didn't show up to work. they wanted to schedule it again for tuesday. i'm saving my responses to my quality questionaire until after i get it done. i'm also thinking an email or call to mazda corp would be a good deal as i saw tonight after i picked it up, they took a chunk out of the plastic on the door heel guards. (sorry, i'm not in the best of moods)

yamajj

 

When I got mine back it had a scratch on the drivers side finder. I pionted it out and told me to bring it back and they would fix it. Hope they do a good job, this is the second time they have damaged my car but have fix it every time.

 

thnx for the response. it's sad people just don't take care of other people's property anymore.

well, i hope they will fix it tuesday. my wife wonders why i don't like to leave my vehicles with anyone.

yamajj

 

I got my car back yesterday from the recall. New engine, new plugs, new catalytic converter and new starter assembly. The car runs soooo much better now. Haven't been able to do anything at high RPMs because of the break-in, but the car feels like it's back to 100% now (where it was probably at 70% before).

CX-7 loaner, free gas (well, they burned 1/4 tank road testing the new engine), and over all a pretty good experience. The only disappointment is that my aftermarket alarm doesn't work anymore, which sucks because I really love hitting the remote start from the office 3 or 4 mins before I leave so the car's all nice and warmed up when I'm off work...

 

I drop mine off next Wednesday afternoon/evening and they're going to start on it Thursday.

 

got my recall work done yesterday. I ended up going to another dealership closer to work (Autobarn in Countryside)...only got the new flash and plugs...they also replaced my driverside tail lights (moisture inside), replace the two front headlamps (due to film inside) detailed the car and topped off the gas, got a doge caliber as a courtesy car. All under waranty. I didnt have any problems with the car and i havent felt anything different since i got it back. One thing though, i gotta give high praise for the service department, they did all of that work and i didnt even buy the car from them....

I'm never going back to the dealer where i got my car (Jacobs Twin chicago). getting any kind of service from their service department is like pulling teeth.

 

Just got mine back. 2 weeks later New engine,No gas, No wash, No instructions.

 

Took mine in today, just the PCM and new plugs. Not surprising considering that I'm on my 3rd engine and it only has about 2700 miles on it.

However, BUT!, dammit there's always a but.

They must have screwed something up. My engine is now pinging at idle and has no power under 5K rpm. At 3K rpm under load you can feel the power stutter. Under 5K rpm you can put the pedal to the floor and get nothing. I held it to the floor for five-six seconds and got 5 mph, from 60mph to 65mph in 5th gear.

I'm running 93 octane and I topped it off (half tank) at a different gas station than normal, in case it was bad gas. I also did the brake pedal stomp to reset the learning....all to no avail. It goes back Monday...needless to say....

Thank you for letting me vent...we return you to your normal vent....

 

Mine had all of 1700 miles on it when I got the letter. Took it in, just a remap of the ECU.
Shifted funny for the first few up/down shifts, after that just fine.

 

Would that possibly fit into the "acting funny" people say their car does after they get an updated flash?

I don't know because I've never had an update yet (have an 06) and mine doesn't go in until next Wednesday evening to be worked on Thursday.

 

Got mine done on Friday, as scheduled two weeks in advance. Jeff Haas Mazda in Houston--great folks. They gave me a CX-7 and had my car for 6 hours. At over 70,000 miles, I'm way out of the standard warranty, but Mazda did buy off on replacing the ignition coils (done!) and motor mount (parts back-ordered)--a nice birthday present for my three-year.

New flash, a tank of premium, and a good wash later and I'm on my way.

The CX-7 is a nice vehicle--easy and relatively fun to drive, it has a bit of Zoom but is certainly no sports car. And with the gas I fed it, I could have been driving my 8. If I had to drive a cross-over SUV, it would be a contender.

BTW--could be my imagination, but the new flash seems to have more punch in the mid-range (3500-5000). One tank of premium at 82-85 mph, slight headwind, gave me 20.5 mpg, at least as good as before reflash.

 

Just got mine back from Mazda Direct here in Columbus, Oh... I am somewhat dissapointed.. When I took it there,,I told them about my tail lights moisture problem, my starting problems.. Idling rough..I asked to take the MX5 for a test spin until my car was ready.. Was thinking of the hardtop they are going to be selling... The guy actually said no.. They sent me over to their Toyota dealer to the Hurst rent a car. This guy put me in a Taurus all the time laughing.. somewhat rude I think. Then I got a call 6 hours later, my car was ready.. they did the test.. mine was ok, replaced the spark plugs, cat conv... replaced the battery, replaced my tail light assemblies.. DID NOT wash the car, DID NOT fuel the car.. I complained the guy said the manager was out for the day.. So when I got home I emailed the dealership.. Wonder if I will hear from them. No sense writing Mazda they don't seem to care about RX8 owners... Also the guy told me that the automatics are mainly the ones having problems with the engines.. Mine was fine.. Still have the idling problem..other then that seems ok. so far..

 

not to gloss over you issues, but the idle will take several drive cycles to settle down...

i watched my motor get replaced today... 6 speed... the tech that did it... has replaced 14 motors. mine was the second manual.... also had 55k miles on it..


beers

 

thanks for the info on the idle.. appreciate it.. glad the problem will go away without me having to go back again.

 

I don't buy anything Mazda is saying about what RX-8's are having problems.

I heard it was only cars in hot climates. Well I am in New England... and I had all of the symptoms that other people had and they got a new engine.

Then I heard it was automatics... Mine is the 6MT.


SO according to them my car shouldn't be having any of these problems.

My car failed all performance tests including the CAT and right now is set to have the ignition coils replaced. Once they are replaced they are going to retest the car. Won't know what the official word is on my car until the end of the week

My 2nd week with the Ford Taurus.. ON a good note they are going to get a huge bill from hertz from all the miles I am putting on this rental

 

to help you a bit..

new motor... new motor mounts... h20 pump was starting to go... 55k miles...

no coil problems..

btw.. they put in the flywheel and clutch i provided...

the idle is sooooooooo smooth now... not v12 smooth. but much better than before..

and as i mentioned before the bad mt is rare, what is your build date????

beers

 

Dropped the '05 at Jeff Haas a 9am today for the recall, A/C fan problem, and alignment (third attempt).

Drove a base model CX-7 - motor has some zip, but I prefer the v6 in the wife's tribute.

Picked it up at 3pm - new spark plugs, Full of gas, New Fan controller (killed all my presets), and stated that alignment was perfect.

RX-8 Drove the same before and after (still pulling to the right even when driving to the left of the road crown arrgh!)

 

presets died with the new flash... and this is going to sound pretentious... but check you tire pressure... 1 lb in this car will be noticiable if you are paying attention..

my car seemed to pull to the right when i first got it...

beers

 

Bella passed!!!!

 

Hi Everyone,

Well the wife got her car back yesterday with a new engine. I asked her how everything was and she said OK. Only thing she really stated was that there was a noise in the steering wheel/column that they didn't fix..........

I'll be driving it this weekend to get an *** feel with the new engine in it.

I have read on here that the break-in is 600 miles? I asked her if the dealer said anything to her about break-in etc, etc. They handed her the keys and said have a nice day. They did wash the car though.....
She did state that the guys that she has dealt with there was very nice. They originally told her Thursday for the car but delivered it on Tuesday, two days early. They said it was only the second engine that they have replaced.

Alex

 

My build date is in 2003.. I have one of the low Vin# 8's

 

after you get the new coils on they will know pretty quick if you need a new motor..

beers