So my 8 finally bit the dust at 105K miles. Hot day, AC on, trying to accelerate in 1st gear, got to about 6k rpm & lost all power. Pulled over to the side of the road & as soon as I stopped the engine shut off. I waited a while and it wouldn't turn back on. I had it towed to the dealer & they say it needs an engine replacement. Here's what they gave me:

"1 DIED DIAG NO SPARK #1 COILSEE HISTORY ALSO MISFIRE ON #2 ROTOR NOT FIRING AT ALL ON REAR ROTOR SUSPECT COMPRESSION ISSUE INTERNAL
ENGINE PROBLEM DECLINED"

I had it towed home because there is no way I'm giving them the $8k they want to do it. I did try turning it on again and it fired up but it sounded ROUGH so I turned it off.

I tried asking Mazda USA if they would make an exception or help me out. They declined.

I'm heavily considering taking out the engine myself with a couple buddies and taking to a shop I talked to that works on rotaries. That guy said he might be able to rebuild it and if he can't, I'll probably get a remanned engine and try to put it in myself.

I'm just looking for any ideas, advice or suggestions about my best route to getting back on the road, or perhaps about getting a better diagnosis before I start ripping it apart.

 

over the internet, it's really hard to tell if it's dead engine or dead coils or dead sparks or ... etc

8K to do it ? wow the dealership you towed to must be out of their mind. I would pay them 4K tops.

the cheapest way to do it is to order a Reman from Mazda, should cost about 2K. install it at the choice of your shop or yourself.

 

"Suspect" compression issue?...Did you actually see the compression results?

 

If you are confident enough that you can remove the engine then take is apart and have a look yourself. If you can take it out you can take it apart. You can get a 3 rotor for about $4K so you don't want to pay $8K for a stock motor.

 

Thanks for the tips you guys. Ita_ds_fs7, I didn't get to see any compression data. All I'm going on is what they told me and what was written on their invoice (in caps in my 1st post).

I feel like their diagnosis is questionable at best and I guess that's what is making me hesitant to start taking out the engine if I'm not 100% sure that I absolutely need a replacement quite yet. I guess I could try replacing the spark plugs and coils and go from there but I feel like it's a shot in the dark either way.

 

I would demand to see the test results...They SHOULD have given them to you.

 

I spoke to the dealership again today and they said they did not do a compression test but they are sure it needs a new engine (if anyone can shed light on how this is possible please do). The sad part is that I brought the car in at 97K asking about loss of power (knowing time was running out on the extended warranty), and all they recommended was replacing coils and the Variable Intake Controller. Now Mazda is refusing to pay for a new engine because I'm 5K past the extended warranty and I even told them that I brought it in at 97K....

 

They have to follow procedure in accordance with Mazda North America, there is no way of telling for sure without doing a compression test. Tell them to do it free of charge or you are going to file a complaint with Mazda North America. Since you did address the issue prior to the warranty running out i would say you have a pretty strong case. Just make sure to be an adult about it, don't get personal or curse anyone.

 

Mazda North America already shut me down a few weeks ago when this happened. I was not personal whatsoever and I stood up for my side of the case, but the woman explained to me that since I'm at 105K they will not help me. I reiterated that I brought it in at 97K complaining of power loss and asking about a new engine, she basically said that doesn't matter. She was extremely short with me, basically it sounded like she just wanted to get me off the phone as soon as possible.

I called her again extension today and her voicemail said she is out of the office so I asked to speak with someone else. A new guy got on the phone but told me that because I had an existing file with Katherine, I have to speak with her and that he would have her call me. He made sure to tell me that the case had already been "thoroughly reviewed" and escalated to the district manager and that I'm not going to get a new engine. Lovely really.

 

Moral of the story... You should have asked for some proof of the tests performed at 97k.
Law sucks if you don't follow it.

 

Well, I would at least talk to an attorney, and see if he/she is willing to work on a contingency. If you can prove your case I think you could have some real damages. I mean you relied on the "experts" to properly diagnose your car and they failed.