Purchased an 05 MT RX-8 new about a month ago. Had an 8/05 build date, so didn't have any recalls on it. Just got a call from the dealership today saying they wanted to replace the spark plugs. Called the guy back to schedule and he said they were replacing them with a hotter plug to improve starting.

Anyone know anything about this?

 

they did a tsb, but not a recall as far as I know to replace the plugs to help prevent flooding. I would definitely get them as I have a set and they work well, and I have never had a flooding issue.

The plugs need to be replaced every 20-25K, you know cuz your mileage and idle will start to suffer.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll report back if I notice any difference with the new plugs.

 

I have an '05 with build date of 7/04. Wonder why I haven't gotten this call yet? Did you have previous issues with hard starts,flooding etc..?

 

As I recall, the dealers were instructed fairly recently to replace the spark plugs before delivering a new car if they didn't already have the newer plugs. So, apparently some do that before delivering the car and some don't, requiring a call to bring your new car in for that service.

 

can anyone post the build dates this is pertaining to... i remember reading it on another thread but this forum is flooded w/ flooding threads!!! lol. i'm pretty sure i fall w/in the range but would like to point it out to my dealer who refuses to perform the TSB on my 8... thanks!

 

This was my case. When I bought the car (late on a Sat.) service was already closed so the full final inspection (including spark plug replacement) wasn't performed. This call was just to perform that final inspection and replace the plugs.

Car ran great before and runs great now.

 

Cars built after 3/22/05 have the new leading plugs.

 

From what I recall, the hotter plugs were only for special circumstances and cars that hadn't experienced flooding issues were supposed to continue with the normal heat range plugs.

That is a different issue than the physical redesign of the plugs, which added slots in the nose to enable liquid fuel to drain out and avoid a flood. You can have the "new design" without having hotter plugs. Also, the instructions to replace all 4 plugs upon delivery is not a "hotter plug" issue, as far as I recall.

 

I recently took my 05 rx8 in to the dealer for the first time and they put the new plugs in. Said that all the cars sold were supposed to have them swapped in, they just didn't get to it before i bought my car. I am in Maine though, so maybe it is just in the colder climates?

 

Why would you replace at that mileage when the factory manual says 30k or 30 months?

 

Damn that's great dealership service! Bring them in some donuts or something when you go to drop it off, most dealerships wont change those unless you flood the car, most wont even change them if you bring in the TSB and try to get it done preventatively. Major props.

 

Some owners are reporting that their plugs aren't making it to the full service life. I'd say inspect them every 10,000 and replace *if needed*.

In my case, at 14,000 miles there was slight damage to the insulator tips on the leading plugs which was allowing the spark to jump down inside the plug rather than to the ground electrode and this was causing some driveability issues at low rpm. Others have reported excessive wear of the ground electrode, or fouling, cracks, even mis-installed plugs with leading and trailing reversed. One thing to consider is that if the ground electrode wears away the gap increases. An overly large gap can cause the coils to work harder and the stock coils are considered marginal to begin with -- look for info on burnt coil packs ($). Plug inspection is cheap and if the plugs need replacing, well, then they need replacing. If not, great. Also, occasional removal and replacement will help prevent seizing and give you a chance to verify everything is well hooked up and properly torqued.

 

is there a diy on plug removal or is it just that simple?

 

All you have to say is that your having hard start this is for 05 . Let them check it out is doesn't hurt to get new plugs and battery.

also had updated brake pads replace under warranty the dealer I go to is awesome when it comes to the customer.

 

Will the dealer replace my plugs for free under warranty if I ask them to? I have an '04 MT which I flooded once about 8 months ago. I performed the startup procedure on my own, and the dealer said they wouldn't inspect anything if they couldnt hear anything wrong with the car while driving. I havent had any problems with flooding or hard starts since then, but I'm getting up on my miles and would love some free replacement plugs.

 

I would simply ask them to do the "Engine cranks no start" Service Bulletin (under warranty) based one you car having a demonstrated history of flooding and that all the updates (PCM firmware, battery, starter and leading plugs) are applicable to you VIN. You certainly should have a car that is fully flood resistant, particularly when there are known/fixed problems. If you have any problem with "weak starting" you should also mention that. If the dealer says no, then call the Mazda 800 number as Mazda USA has been very supportive of everyone getting the updates.

 

Ok, thanks, I think I'll do that. When Mazda replaces the plugs do they replace all four or just two of them? If it's just two of them, what do I do when I get to the mileage when my plugs need replacing, just replace the other two?

 

Read the service bulletin at the link below:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...4-05-1448e.pdf

 

When I had the Service Bulletin done it was also my 30 month service (which includes spark plug replacement). Unfortunately they followed the TSB and only replaced the leading plugs but I didn't fuss for two reasons. First they did the full Service Bulletin (battery, starter and leading plugs) under warranty, a substantial dollar value. Second, with only 18K miles on the trailing plugs I figured it probably wasn't a big issue to let them continue to run a while longer.

 

They replaced all four for me. Took mine in for a CEL for misfire at 33,430 miles. Before you flame me...no I did not clean or replace the plugs myself, but had actually planned to change them out over the weekend (put over 3000 miles on my car in about a week and a half and had put a total of 5000 on the car in about a month).

This is what they said:

Ckout MIL stay on code P0301 misfire found. Spark plugs excessive carbon deposited on electrode to cause misfire and MIL stay on. Replaced all spark plugs with new modified part. Re-set MIL. Set engine to specs. Test drive veh to verify.

Have an '04 and had a hard time starting it before. New plugs make a huge difference in how quick it starts up now.

 

I think the gist of this thread should focus on Mazdas new "Final Quality Inspection"

Under this new program or FQI all RX-8s delivered in the last two months have a tech test the battery, set the tire pressure, check the PCM for pending codes. The final thing is to replace the plugs. As a test Mazda noted that some cars had very few miles and 50+ cold starts. The Engineers felt that many of the cars were sold with plugs that were already borderline from carbon build up.

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...86&postcount=6

 

Where do you guys find these good dealers? I've had my car 2 1/2 years and have flooded it twice, CEL's a few times, rough idle, etc. They are just now replacing the plugs! Of course, the car got rammed at the dealer by another car while in the shop area. So, it's in the body shop for a new rear bumper cover and tail light. When it gets back, they will supposedly put in new plugs. And this is the third dealer I have tried!

The Mazda dealers around Boston are the WORST!

 

Replacing plugs every 20k-25k miles, is that normal by car standard?

 

There is a difference between "Recall" & Technical Service Bulletin." A recall is when they inform everybody to bring in their cars from a specific time period, and do the replacements for all the cars. A TSB is when you bring in your car for routine maintenance &/or issue that you have they will check if the issue is related to the starter/battery/plug & replace if necessary.