So i had been having hot start issues for a few months and they progressively got worse, so i finally took the car in to have it looked at. knowing that hot start issues can be a sign of low compression, i expected that was the issue. So i took it to the dealer on 1/5/11 and they called me later that day and said it had low compression and they would need to replace the engine. It was all covered under Mazda warranty so free for me, and he said he would call me to pick up my loaner in the morning. I'm feeling pretty good about everything at this point. The next morning i get a call and this is where it all goes wrong. He says they have no loaner car for me to take since they are swamped with the power steering recall on the Mazda 3's and 6's and asks if i can just drive my car until he gets the engine in. He tells me it should be less than a week, so i agree and get a ride to the dealer. I get there and he tells me its going to be at least 3 weeks before they get the engine... Again trying to make the whole thing easy on everyone I agree to take my car and drive it until they get the engine in.
So... 3 weeks have passed and the car is getting worse and worse now and i hear nothing from the dealer, so i call him on 1/25. Todd the service manager is at lunch, so i leave a message. 5 hours later, no call. So i call back and speak with Todd who explains that he has heard nothing, has no idea where the engine is, but will look into it and call me back. I wake up today 1/26 and no call, so i go to class, get to work, still no call. So i call corporate with the intent to find out if there is a time period in which they have to fix the car under warranty. I talked to a lady and explained the situation. She says the same thing, that she will look into it and call me back. 7 hours later, no call from anyone and im starting to get angry about the situation. My car is getting about 10 mpg and this is killing my wallet, so i need something done soon.


So... My questions to you who have had a replacement engine are.
1. how long did it take to get in and get put in the car
2. can driving with the bad engine damage my cat since there are things in the exhaust that should not normally be there.
3. did the dealer actually figure out what caused the engine to go bad in the first place? as in checking the oil pump, lines and injectors, or did they just swap it and give it back?

sorry about the rant, and thanks for any input or advice. I just thought this whole thing would be a lot less of a hassle.

 

[quote=kwikslvr;3861565]

So... My questions to you who have had a replacement engine are.
1. how long did it take to get in and get put in the car

All I can tell you is the PO got really pissed and traded in the car. WHICH made me really happy as I got it with a new motor.

2. can driving with the bad engine damage my cat since there are things in the exhaust that should not normally be there.

Probably but I just got a new cat (due to rattles from melted cat) with 60k on the car in 5 days over the new year's holiday weekend so I'm not complaining.

3. did the dealer actually figure out what caused the engine to go bad in the first place? as in checking the oil pump, lines and injectors, or did they just swap it and give it back?

NO!! They just do the drill (std tests) and you get a rebuilt engine with all the externals off your old engine including the spark plugs, etc.

sorry about the rant, and thanks for any input or advice. I just thought this whole thing would be a lot less of a hassle

Apparently they don't have any rebuilt engines on the shelf to send you.
Guess you have to be happy that your car still runs? Ever consider doing the flush/cleaning procedure? It isn't like you can hurt anything.

The good thing is that Ford isn't really part of Mazda anymore.

 

Stay in close touch with MAzda North America. They are usually very helpful and understanding. Be firm but completely polite; ask for answers on the phone, try not to allow them to "call you back"

 

Do you have another Mazda dealership nearby? Maybe they can give you better customer service. Try slapping a hoe?

 

So... My questions to you who have had a replacement engine are.
1. how long did it take to get in and get put in the car
2. can driving with the bad engine damage my cat since there are things in the exhaust that should not normally be there.
3. did the dealer actually figure out what caused the engine to go bad in the first place? as in checking the oil pump, lines and injectors, or did they just swap it and give it back?

I totally feel your pain as I had pretty much the exact same experience this month in Utah. I took my car in for the same symptoms you are experiencing and was approved and everything. They then said that it usually takes about 7 -10 days for the reman engine to arrive. I was thinking great! i'll have it back before school! Lucky for me i have an old ford explorer that I drive in the snow and ice so I didnt need a loaner. Anyways, 11 days passed and they hadnt called me so I called them and they said they hadnt recieved my engine yet because the reman facility was waiting on some bad engines to come in to repair. SO i was like damn... Finally on january 21st they called and said the engine had arrived and it would be ready by tuesday the 24th which is when I got my 8 back!!! The difference is incredible! It was a helluva wait but so worth it. They also found that my oil injectors were bad which probably caused the low compression. I started premixing when I bought the car in 09 but I dont know if the previous owner had at all. I had to pay $400 to replace those. Hope this long post helps......

 

Thanks everyone for reading and posting.

I found a hoe and slapped her... she got mad and a pimp somewhere may want to kill me, but still no new engine...

As far as your other recommendations...

I have not heard back from the service manager or Mazda corporate, so i will be placing calls shortly.

I will update you with how it goes from here.

 

this is crazy i have a VERY similar situation as you.
I too am getting another engine covered under warranty. They said it could take 2-3 weeks. I have called back several times after 2 weeks know-body knows anything. JUST LIKE YOU.

after several no phone calls, i ended up going in to the DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM and speaking with the service manager, he pulled up the order and assured it would be here by Feb. 7th. which was actually about a month... the dealer also told me i can continue to use my car... i figure, ****, its getting replaced anyway...

but yeah, took longer than they told me, cant wait for the day it happens!

*be sure to read the bold* face to face is ALWAYS better

 

yeah its frustrating. at least i got somewhere today, I'm picking up the loaner after work. they are giving me a 2011 sonata to drive for a bit, not cool, but could be a lot worse lol. I'm just leaving my car there till they get the engine, but they still have no idea when that will be.

 

I wonder how well a 011 Snota can autocross... you got the $4 warranty right? :P

 

Yes...worse is possible. When I brought mine in for 4206f, they gave me an Aveo for the day.

At least you have wheels. And they're footing the rental cost, which gives them some incentive to pick up the pace.

Ken

 

I rather drive a 2011 Sonata than driving that fuxking 08 Mustang I had back in 09.

That **** is so garbage I don't understand how the reviews said it runs great on track, I can't even take a turn faster than 35 without the fear of roll over. jesus.

 

So i just got another call, the engine should be in the first week of February... So at least i have some time frame now.

 

rofl..

But hey, the Mustang is soooo much better now.....a tarted up PIG, with new Lipstick!

 

They didnt even offer me a loaner.... bastards......

 

After your out of the basic warranty period, your not offered a loaner.

 

ahhh... I see.

 

I am out of the basic warranty period, so they don't Have to give me one, but the dealer is just kind of doing this for me since originally i agreed to drive the car till the engine got here. However the car is not really drivable at this point so now they are taking a car off the lot for me to drive.

 

can't complain about that... nicely done.

 

you can always act innocent and poor see if you can get one.

the worst possible outcome is "no loaner for you", so why not try it ?

 

hahaha this thread makes me wonder how many engines break down every month lol As everyone of you read it before, im also in the same situation. I found a super tiny coolant leak, took the car in, the "o" ring of the coolant inside the engine is gone (the mazda tech said that to me after looking at my engine for about 50 seconds) hes a genius or didnt have a clue about the leak anyways i was approved for a new engine and im still waiting after 3 weeks. They said the engine was coming on january 28th so i should be getting a call tomorrow!... we should do a poll on how many engines break down in a monthly basis.. The best of luck to all of us in this situation

 

You do know that no one will come up and say "omg my engine works perfect fine ! is that normal ? "

this engine is very reliable, its just that most people don't even bother changing their oil and when its dead, they blame the engine not themselves.

 

too crazy...same ****...
i got a fckn Prius....lime green...

 

No yeah i totally know that. I take care of my baby to the best of my ability keeping everything in order, adding oil, plugs and all that. The problem with my car was the coolant leak which im pretty sure the previous owner is responsible of. I did a bit of research on the topic and they say overheating is the main cause of coolant leaks so im pretty sure the previous owner was running low in coolant or something like that. Dint mean to sound just like another person who doesnt know how to take care of a rotary and that then they just blame the car for it it just make me realized that i was no the only one getting a new engine during this month.

 

I too took absolute perfect care of my 8. I changed the oil frequently (probably more than i needed to), and Zoom cleaned it twice per year. I drove it to the redline a few times per week just to make sure. I'm betting my oil injectors went bad, wont know until they take the engine out and see. All engine failures cannot be blamed on the owner, especially when i bought the car used with 50k miles on it and have no idea how it was cared for before i owned it. Also if something like the oil injectors went bad, i would have no way of knowing until it was too late.

 

Totally understand you man. There are some problems that we might not be able to avoid such as the oil injector lines going bad. I will definetly get them checked when i get the new engine. Hopefully mazda calls me soon