Hey guys! I have been lurking here for quite a while, and yes I know how to use the search function . I am in need of opinions here. It's winter and I'm thinking of modding my 8 (exhaust, intake etc). However I know my 8 year engine warranty expires in august. I am due for new plugs, wires coils air filter etc. I am wondering if I should get the motor compression tested before the tune up. Would I be wasting my money or not if the engine would be replaced. She seems to run strong, but I do have a slight hard start issue from time to time. The car has 50k on it and I purchased with 43k so I haven't had it long. Should I just drive the **** out of it like I stole it and hope the motor goes before warranty, or dump the money into the tune up and mods? I don't want to abuse the car by any means, but a new motor would be a nice clean slate to mod.

 

get a test, if shes strong she should be able to stay strong with good care. I believe they should give you the newer starter without any issue (for those hard starts). I say you spend youre money on maintenance mods. New spark plugs, aftermarket wires, BHR ignition, tires & rims etc.

 

As you bought it used, are you absolutely sure you're on the original engine?

Even if you drive the **** out of it, it's not going to do any damage to it quickly unless you never shift, which would most likely damage your transmission before the engine IMO

Plus if you have no service records and the dealership notices you bought it used, they're just gonna use that as an excuse and guess what? You gotta dish out 3-4k on a rebuild.

Just get a compression test and drive it. Don't try to replace something that's not broken.

 

Took it to my local dealer the day I bought it. It was serviced at a dealer by the previous owner, and has had all warranty work done flash updates etc. Original engine for certain based on Mazda records. No accidents, well maintained. It was a one owner car. This was like the 6th rx8 I looked at before buying, drove 200 mileage to pick her up. She was a great find. I'll take her to the dealer for the hard start and have the starter looked at, hopefully replaced. What's the going rate on the compression test?

 

if under warranty it should be free. i believe mazda charges something like 95 an hour.

 

if it was me I would say if it has been checked out, and say the compression is tight then dont run the **** out of it. but thats just me. you have nothing yet to worry about. but if you need to push it to the edge, by all means do it like its your last day on earth.

 

Easiest thing is to get a compression test done. If it passes ok, then your only loss would be paying the fee.

 

At one time it was standard practice to do a compression test as part of a tuneup. That kind of went away when tuneups became rare events and spark plugs became hard to reach. But if you're having starting problems, it's reasonable to spring for a compression test.

I have not heard anyone say anything good about recent Mazda replacement engines, so I'm not sure if trying to weasel one at 7 years 11 months is such a good idea.

Ken

 

Whatever issues you have with the car right now...start doing something with it, until time runs out and your warranty will expire soon.

 

Well it looks like my local dealer will be easy to work with on this issue. Stopped in today and told him my symptoms (hot start issue is getting worse, and power loss). His immediate reply was to decarb, compression test and replace motor if need be. So it is going in this week and we shall see what happens. If i do get a new motor then i will be spending money on upgrades rather than maint. I will post up what happens once I hear back.