rx8 - smooth!

My dealer called me today - without prompting from me.

Yes you read that right!!

They have been doing research on this issue since I first brought the issue up with them. They are going to fit a new oil pan with the baffles in it.

I am very impressed by the way they proactively sorted this issue out for me. In the past I have always had to nag dealerships to get this kindt of issue sorted out. They are giving me a loan car for the day while they fit it as well.

So if any of your dealers try to tell you about a sensitive oil light and not to worry tell them that you want a new oil pan with baffles in it.

Speed Racer

When you get your car back from the dealer would you mind posting the part number for the new oil pan. That will make it easier for those of us, with the oil light problem, to convince our dealers that there really is a problem and a fix is available. Thanks!

tripwire

Yeah, a part number or some kind of official "this is what it's being called in Mazda HQ" would be great. My dealer told me 100 times they haven't heard of such a thing.

rx8 - smooth!

OK Guys,

The car is with the dealer now. I asked them for a part no but they didn't have that. They just said that Mazda sent it to them.

I had a good talk to the service dept guy about this issue and I even got to inspect the new oil pan out of the box before they started fitting it to my car.

The biggest difference between the old & new parts is apparently the new oil level sensor. It now has a hole in the top so it can better detect oil level. I didn't get to see the old oil pan so I can't tell you the difference between the sensors or the baffle set up but the good news is I have the new part being fitted now.

The dealer said that anyone else with the same problem should be able to get this done as Mazda just sent them the part.

Get on to your dealers!!

tripwire

I had that problem and asked my dealer to call "Oz" and find out about it and they balked at it. "We haven't heard about any problems with the RX-8." Do you know who, or what department in Mazdaville I can have them call?

rx8 - smooth!

For those of you that are interested here it is. I have got the part no.!!

The Part No is: N3H8-10-4AXA

My source at the dealer did this on an unofficial basis so please be careful not to reveal your sources! After him doing this for me I do not want to upset him.

I hope is a help for you guys.

Sputnik

Are we sure that it's going to be the same part number in the States?

---jps

ZoominRex

I have about 1600 miles and have been experiencing the light coming on intermittently as well. It only comes on at about 75-85 mph in 6th gear. It comes on for about 5-10 seconds then goes off again. This happens every once in awhile. I've stopped to check the oil levels out of fear that i was running low but the dipstick indicates everything is in the correct range. I will be calling the dealer tomorrow to see if they have heard of this oil pan problem.

rx8 - smooth!

I do not know the answer to this but would be pretty sure Mazda do not bother having seperate part numbering systems for the Australian market.

(I think they plan to sell about 1200 RX8s per year here)

Steve

Aratinga

Add me to the list of those who gasped "What the F***!?" when the oil light flashed on while zooming happily down the freeway at 75mph. I recalled seeing this thread so I didn't quite panic, but as I eased up on the go-pedal to get off at the next exit the light went out. Never did come back on. I'm waiting for the engine to cool down a bit before checking oil level ... I'm at 2255 miles on the odo and was planning to get to the dealer next week for my first oil change at 3K. Last time I checked oil (about four fill-ups ago) it was at FULL. That's also when I learned the hard way that pulling that dipstick out of hot engine was hazardous to my health.

Of course, during this whole episode the oil pressure idiot-gauge never budged from its usual position.

Dontcha love sorting out all the weird little glitches in a brand new model car? It certainly keeps life interesting.

tripwire

The mechanic at my dealer told me that so long as the oil lamp hasn't been lit for an extended period of time, and the oil pressure guage wasn't moving (which I don't believe it does move), that I would be ok.

I'd still like to have that redesigned oil baffle installed....

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

Does anyone know if/when this new part has been introduced as a running change on the assembly line?

Engine numbers/chassis numbers?

It would be nice to know if the newer cars are not effected.

Cheers,
Hymee.

mmjames

I just passed 690 miles and accelerated a bit more after shifting into sixth. I then saw the oil warning light on. I have been reading the prior postings, about it so I did not freak out. I expect to find the oil a little low. I will have to check it after work.

That's the great thing about this forum. I had already been waiting on that so it no big deal.

RX8-U-UP

I was driving on the highway today at 75 miles an hour and my light came on for about a minute. Checked it when I got home and it was about 3/4 down from the top indent. Added 2/3 of a quart of 5W20 and brought it to the full line. This was the first time I added oil since I have had it. First real time I had it on the freeway, hopefully all it needed was oil and it wasn't the infamous oil pan baffle problem. I have a low VIN # 1083. I'll have to find some more highway tomorrow to check it out.

Gyro

I'm a little baffled (cheap...I know). I have had the oil light at highway speeds once at 1600 miles...down 1/2 a quart. Filled it and now again at 3000 miles.

Are there 2 issues among us?

Is the newer desinged oil pan going to stop the oil light from showing when the car is 1/2 quart low....and therefor when it is even lower on oil?

-OR-

Is the newer pan for people who are getting the light when their car is full with oil, and getting a false low reading.

The way I see it now, the car just has a very sensitive oil light. Not a faulty one. It is infact low on oil (albeit not much) when the light shows.

From what I understand from this thread, the new pan has baffeling to stop excessive "oil sloshing" and therefor a low oil reading. There is no way that the new pan will increase lubrication performance.

If this is all true....I kind of like where my car is at now....it tells me BEFORE my car is very low....its proactive. My light never illuminates unless its 1/2 quart low.

Is this issue one in the same. or is there 2 very different problems.?

canzoomer

I did not see the problem until yesterday.
I have done lots of high speed highway runs, including long hauls at around 160 to 180kmh.

Yesterday morning I checked the oil level and found it was down around 1/2.
I went for a long run, and at 160kmh after about 15 minutes it came on and stayed on until I slowed down to 140kmh.
I pulled over and topped it up to full.

Better,but it would still come on at that speed after a longer time.

So, I poured the rest of the bottle of oil in, putting me about 1/4 over the mark.

That made it stop and stay off.
Total trip was 465 kilometers.

I did not see any correlation between curves or straight road, and the temperature outside was 22 to 26C.

On the way back today I did not get the light at all.
On arrival I checked the oil level and it is still over the full mark.

So, it seems to come on on a run of over 160kmh, for more than 15 minutes, when the oil level is below the full mark.

Filling the oil to the top mark makes it go away.

ggreen29

I had my first experience with that light yesterday, driving on the freeway for about an hour straight at 70 to 80mph, when I noticed the light was on. I backed off a little and the light went out. When I got back home I checked the oil and it was about ½qt low. So that's 1qt for 2400 miles. I guess I'm driving sort of hard...I don't mean to, I just can't help it in this car.

I also discovered that you shouldn't touch the oil coolers after a couple hours of driving 70 to 80 mph. Some of you probably don't need this warning, but it would've been handy for me. DOH!

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

Hey,

My dealer said to wait 5 minutes with the engine off before testing the oil level.

Is that what y'all are doing when you stop after the light coming on?

Cheers,
Hymee.

canzoomer

First time I just added half a litre, as that was the amount I was down before I started the trip ( I always check fluid levels before long trips)
Second time was after overnight rest.

It seems that once it is down 1/4 litre it will go on if I do an extended high speed cruise.

zackcat

Can anyone who has had the new oil pan installed confirm that the oil light "problem" goes away? Just curious before I bring it up with the dealer on my next visit.
After all, it is not all bad to have an overprotective parent for an oil level indicator....

Chrisbert

Regarding the oil light -
Now I know about the baffle thing in the oilpan, but don't know if my VIN if affected. The question I have is why doesn't the oil light come on during hard cornering or acceleration if its the baffle thing? There are several places on my route where I make a turn from an intersection and straight up hill, but no light then.

Also, does anyone know the VINs affected by the baffle issue?

canzoomer

From what I was told the condition occurs when:
A) You drive at certain speeds fr an extended time. Apaprently it takes some time for the oil to slowly move to the back of the pan.

B) The crankcase air pressure slowly drops at those particular speeds, to a point where a vacuum lock occurs in the sensor intake.

I do not know the affected range, but I have a VIN ending in 1877.

Chrisbert

Thank you CanZoomer.

canzoomer

I talked to Mazda Canada today, got the call escalated to the manager for Customer Relations.
Posed a list of questions, he called me back with the answers, including the block heater:

1) What about the lack of block heater?
"Mazda Canada is aware of the problem. At this time we have no solution or plans to respond with. We will likely have something, but I can not tell you when. "

I suggested simply adding an inline circulating heater, such as is mentioned a few messages up. He said that he personally had used such a thing, but Mazda Canada has no policy, response, or stance on this. As it is included on my sales invoice I should take it up with my dealer.

2) What about the fact that the dealer gave me a brochure at time of ordering that lists the leather covered parking brake handle?
"That has been deleted in newer brochures"
I asked what that means. In less words than he used: "Tough"

3) The brochure lists a dashboard 12 volt outlet, AND it lists a cigarette lighter.
"Mazda Canada has included the cigarette lighter at no charge"
What about the fact the brochure lists both?
"The outlet referred to is the one with the cigarette lighter in it."

4) I am one of the owners with the problem with the oil light coming on sometimes:
"One should check oil level every time you buy gas"
I do, but it comes on when the oil is at 3/4 full..
"We expect to be issuing a service bulletin soon, perhaps in a couple of weeks. We will have to bring the parts needed into Canadian inventory"
What if I am going to the USA in about 2 weeks. Can they do the work down there for me?
"Yes, but you will want to contact them first with your VIN # so they can order in the part. You might want to make sure the dealer is not doing this for the first time on your car"
I asked him how this would be different from my dealer doing it for the first time?
He replied"If they do it here, at least you will not be stuck in the USA with no car."
I replied that this should be no problem as Mazda USA has a loaner program in place, unlike Mazda Canada.
He replied: " True, but Canada cars have a 5 year powertrain warranty"
I asked him that if this was the case, and if my engine fell apart after 4 years, would they offer me a $500 rebate?

Such glowing confidence they have in their service centres..

5) The brochure lists the headlights as being Xenon. On my car only the low beams are Xenon.
"All specifications are subject to change without notice"

Mazda Canada are incompetent slimeballs.
And the opnly way we are going to get enough pressure on them to act ethically is for the majority of us to refuse to take their bullshit.

It is too bad the majority of you reading this are so much in the honeymoon stage that you cannot see them for what they are.

eccles

So do you guys not get the separate 12V outlet in the center console?