My 2005 is going to Mazda to check for a sticking SSV (loss of power sometimes above 4,000 rpm) and idle vibration (possible engine mount problem).

Both things are mentioned in TSBs.

If a problem is repaired via a TSB, will I be charged for it?

I'm out of warranty of course...

 

TSB's (Technical Service Bulletins) are ways to repair common problems. They are not to be considered the same as a recall. If you are out of warranty, they will aid the service department to solve a problem quicker and save you on shop fees.

 

Ah, I feared as much.

I just hoped maybe since many TSBs involve replacing failed parts with redesigned ones, they'd consider it "defect" rather than a repair.

Ah well, ok though... thanks!

 

Keep dreaming.

 

LOL, well I think I got spoiled by the billion TSB things they DID fix (and upgrade) for free... when it was under warranty

Oh, and the clutch snapping off (out of warranty)... for free.

Well, the other issue I'm having is it's really difficult start when the engine is hot. So with any luck, maybe I need a new engine... which ironically, IS free

 

duh, cuz you were under warranty.

The stuff I made them replace on my car cost more than 10 grand. (and its a good way to LET THEM KNOW how to improve their products)

If your "clutch" snapping off, I SERIOUSLY doubt you will be able to get anything for free.

Another DUH, you know why you got the bracket for free? You better thank me. (search you damn noob!)

DUH DUH DUH ~ there is a 100K/8yrs on Engine core, its a community thing that made this happen, you should thank them (including me)

 

Thank you, oh Gracious One, and Thank you Forum!

10 grand?

Hmmm...

Clutch pedal, tail light lenses, climate control **** or thermostat thingie, sunroof rails, convenience box sliding door thing (multiple times), parking brake boot (multiple times), all the flashes, oil cap (dunno how I got that one), starter, battery, plugs (I flooded it), wasn't the gas tank or shielding recalled or something? Ball joint or something... what am I forgetting?

And yet I adore this car, lol

 

If you add up my 3 engines, 4 or 6 cats (I forget how many), the numerous recalls and the other things that were repaired under warranty, you could have bought me a new car.

 

I know right, Mazda should've done that

Hell, they should've just give me a new car too, if they did before I wouldn't do the Clutch bracket thing, no extended, no money loss

 

Any idea what the cost would be to replace the SSV with the redesigned one?

Or the cost to replace the motor mount with the new one?

Or a compression test?

 

What part of NJ are you located?

A compression test should be no more than $125, I have been quoted over $200 but Weisleder in Brick, NJ Charged $100 and even let me in the back to see the results. The other two items will be expensive by most dealers. If your not too far from Blackwood NJ then Jim over at JPR Imports can to the other two items for a reasonable price.

I would wait for the compression test results. If your getting a free engine changing the SSV & mounts is a very easy thing to do with the engine out.

 

Thank you for the info! I'm over on the east side of NJ, near Lambertville, so pretty far away from Brick unfortunately. The dealership in Flemington has been really good to me so far though, so let's hope they're within that range too

It just all scares me because there are sooooo may possible causes of my symptoms (difficult hot starting, occasional lack of power at higher rpm), I hate having to throw money at things to hope we get lucky. Could be coils, plugs, compression, ssv... sigh.

I know, I know, relax and see what the dealer says...

 

$105 I was quoted, but I cancelled the test, as they say the coils/plugs need replacing (just did that two years ago), the engine mounts are broken, and we're not even sure the coils will fix the lack of power problem (could be SSV?). Plus the last time the coils were changed, the hard starting became a little better, but not cured.

So I dunno, I dearly love my 8 when it's working fine, but... not sure now I want to invest $1,500 into a 7 year old car which may not even fix all the problems. If I knew 100% the fixes would make it perfect again, then sure. But it'd be really awful to spend that much money and still have a car that's still difficult to start and sometimes won't accelerate well at higher revs.

It's terrible, I'm so emotionally attached to this car, it's like contemplating putting to sleep a beloved pet

Sigh. What to do, what to do...

 

Well, few things in life come with 100% guarantees.

Your car has however many miles on it that it has (hint- you never mentioned how many miles are on it in this thread). It might be 7k miles, or it might be 170k miles.

The engine has a couple weak points in its design.
If you don't drive the car hard enough, carbon can build up in the exhaust ports, and restrict power.
Carbon can also build up on the SSV system.
The ignition coils can grow weak, if not fail outright.
Engine mounts can fail, leading to engine vibration at idle, and other things.
Engine oil injectors can get clogged, and not lubricate the engine enough, and you get excessive wear, which leads to loss of compression and power.

The real problem is that you don't know which of these are actual problems.
The only way to find out which of these are problems on your car is to either pay someone to inspect your car, or to check it yourself.

Now, I'm just guessing, but I suspect that you either can't do these checks on your own, or you don't want to. If you can't do these checks yourself, then that means that you HAVE to pay someone else to do these checks for you.

There is no free lunch when it comes to car maintenance.

But there is a solution for you and your 7 year old car:

You can either pay the money that is requested for these services, and have the car fixed back to the way it used to be, OR you can trade it in on a 2010 or 2011 RX-8. It will look just as good as yours does, will have a whole bunch of upgrades all through the car for longevity of the engine and drivetrain, and you get to start out on a clean slate with a shiny new car you can fall in love with.

Then someone else who wants your old car can have one that they can fall in love with, and have a bit of fun fixing up the couple of issues yours currently has.

Regardless, you have to make a choice, and either choose to spend the money on your current car, or switch over to a new one.

Hint - Fixing up your car will be a lot cheaper than buying a new one, but the new one will have a brand new warranty to repair any issues it might have for the next several years.

BC.