Thanks Swoope.

It's been about 2000 miles now so I don't think it is the ECU.

The gas mileage change was like a switch after the recall 20MPG the tank before and 17 the tank after. It hasn't been the same since.

I'll try things in that order.

Oh, I also didn't mention that oil consumption is up, maybe to 1 qt every 1000 or so. It's hard to tell they underfilled it by about a quart at the dealership. I was expecting a small increase but this seems like a lot.

 

The increased oil consumption is a result of the new flash and it is a welcome one, although I am not sure what Mazda considers a normal rate(mine is also around 1 qt./1K). I, too, had either 20 or 23 mpg before the flash, depending on which midpipe I was using(factory 23, catless 20) and I now get 18-19 with the factory cat in place. My guess is that with the MOP change we need a little more fuel to get the same power we used to. I could be wrong, though. I hope I have coil problems so I can get some new ones for next spring. One thing I just discovered is that my factory air filter is now wet with oil.

 

did your change happen the same time as winter gas??

beers

 

Had the recall service performed today by Jim Ellis Mazda in Marietta, GA and received the usual level of shitty service:

- Flashed ECU (long cranking when starting now with weird sound reported elsewhere on this thread)
- Leading plugs replaced (assumed as qty. of plugs = 2)
- No cat
- No engine (I don't think mine even qualified for that test as it was built in Aug 03)
- No wash
- No fillup

Service time was 3 hours. No rental was needed; I requested and received a ride back to work from the dealership. A co-worker drove me back to the dealership.

I've driven the car approx. 15 miles since the flash and find the idle to be rougher than before. Some hesistation and low-rev problems I'd been experiencing have cleared up but I assumed they would as they were evident around the time my plugs went bad at 35K miles.

"Full-Circle" inspection indicate that my 10K mile Pirelli Zeros have "20-50% remaining tread." (Total BS.) Also, the < 5K mile Hawk brake pads had 20-50% remaining. (Extreme BS) Bear in mind that these are the same folks who, at a long-past regular service where fluid levels would be inspected, failed to note that the brake fluid had descended to the point where the low-fluid light would illuminate in the morning until the system warmed up (I deliberately left it low to see if they'd spot it.) They also scrathed the front bumper cover when replacing the water pump under warranty and stole my CD case with CDs (fortunately they were all home-burned mixes and easily replaced.)

Avoid Jim Ellis if you can.

 

I had the same problem with the low rev..the car didnt even move!!! I went back and got my old plugs put in and the car drives fine now. **** THESE recalls...if aint broke dont fix it. None of these dealers know what their doing

 

Follow-on to previous post: I just e-mailed Mazda of NA a head's up message suggesting they not re-imburse any gas/washing claims made re: my service.

Probably won't do any good but what the heck.

I *strongly* recommend that anyone else out there who failed to receive these services do the same.

 

Took in my 8 this week for the recall. Set me up in a loaner (mazda6)... I timed it perfect because I got some other things done while it was there.

Recall: Flashed, Fuel, Wash

I also had the 30k maint done and an oil change. Tech noticed a rough idle, and replaced my coils. They also fixed a rattle in the passenger door.

8 rides sooo much better now. Can't really say why because of flash/coils - but I'm a happy camper.

-dan

 

It was about the same time but I caclulate it every fillup and it has never dropped like this. I've had the car over 2 years now. The more I read, the more I suspect the coils.

 

I'll be taking my car back for the high-rpm misfires and the shay idle that has come up. Hopefully, the coils are the problem and I'll see the same improvement others have when they are replaced.

 

i thought i was the only one... i get anywhere from 13-15 mpg now... honestly its ridiculous how much the flash could change my mpg that BAD. i use to complain about 17.5 mpg no matter how i drive... now if i floor it i see the needle dropping..... ill be lucky if i break 100miles before it passes the 1/2 mark... imo the best flash i had was like 4 flashes ago.. big mistake re-flashing... any way we can get the old flashes?

 

The dealer is suppose to call me any minute, they have to trailer it here 3 hours one way. I told them I want a additional oil and AT cooler, still do not have an answer yet. Those that have had this done, how many got the coolers when they replaced your motor? Has it helped? If not has your second motor acted up? Thanks Dairel

 

Bump The dealer didn't call I'll have to wait till Tues. Has anyone figured out anything that will increase the changes of the second motor not having these problems? Thanks Dairel

 

New motor done will deliver car tomorrow. All I could get was additional Mazda Warranty which covers the power train for 6 years and 100,000 miles. If anyone knows anything about adding the second coolors, I would appreciate info.

 

Further fallout from recall...

Hit the road last Wednesday for an out-of-town trip (approx. 5 days after recall service.) Made it 10 miles down the interstate when I got CELs (both steady and flashing) and loss of power. Turned around and limped the car to the dealer.

On arrival, smoke appeared to be coming from under the hood and the car wouldn't run at idle. After an hour in service, the adviser announced that I was all set and that the source of the problem was spark plug wires touching. They reported no signs of anything having burned although I could still smell an acrid odor in the cabin.

I set off on my trip again. Six miles elapsed and the symptoms re-appeared. This time I elected not to limp the car back and called the dealer who in turn summoned a flatbed.

No wait this time: they gave me a '6' loaner and told me to have a nice trip. Pretty cool of them as I was going to be out of town for a week and estimated that I'd be driving at least 1000 miles. All-in-all, that part worked out well as I saved a bundle in gas driving that 4-cylinder 6.

The next day, now in Orlando, I received a message from the dealer that the problem had been determined to be the coil packs and that all of them had now been replaced. Also, that they hoped I was enjoying my trip.

Upon return today, I checked in the loaner only to be informed 15 minutes later that the lot porter or some other back lot person flooded the car either today or at some point in the past. Uncertain of how long they would be drying out the engine (or whatever they were really doing), I was issued another 6 loaner (this time in the same titanium color as my 8...are they taunting me???)

So, I suppose tomorrow I'll finally get my baby back. I will report any new observations at that time.

 

I don't know if this problem has come up yet - tried searching the thread but couldn't find similar.

Had the recall done 2 weeks ago - replaced spark plugs and flashed.

Immediately after, I noticed the engine was very rough at around 2k rpm - not a problem in regular driving but very noticable in traffic. The whole power bandwidth is smooth but at 2k it vibrates hard and feels like it's misfiring. Only happens once the engine is warmed up.

Went back to dealer two days ago - told that the coil wires were bad ("just a coincidence - nothing to do with the recall work") and they replaced them.

I picked it up this evening and the f**** problem is still there. I'm going to bring it back tomorrow and I am pissed!

Anybody else have a similar experience? Any ideas of what it could be?

 

I now have the car back. MUCH better.

The coil pack replacements make a very big difference all across the RPM range. The failure of the coils soon after the 4206F flash seems like it could be more than coincidence. Are they being put under more stress?

As a part of the remedy for accidentally flooding the car, they replaced the starter. Hmmm...

I'd already replaced the battery earlier this year with a nice Bosch unit.

Then leading plugs and flash under recall.

Now the starter and coil packs.

Here is the weird part: the starting delay most people -- including myself -- have noticed under the 4206 flash has VANISHED. She fires up instantly just like the old days.

So, what happened? Did they re-flash backward or is there a new flash out now? (I don't see mention of a flash on the paperwork.) Is the delay really part of the flash or is it a latent starter or coil problem?

Are we all getting new flash, plugs, coils and starters and they're handling it 'quietly'?

We may never know. All I know is that I have my car back again and that makes me happy.

 

With the exception of the problem being limited to one particular RPM, this sounds very much like what happened to me.

 

I would suggest that anytime you have your PCM reflashed/updated, due to recall or otherwise, that you also perform the "eccentric shaft profile reset" procedure. To do it turn the ignition key to the "run" position but do not start the car, tap the brake pedal 20 times within an 8 second period(at which the oil pressure needle will sweep back and forth), and then turn the key off. Wait a moment and then start the car. I had issues after my 4206 recall update and they all cleared up once I did this. Actually, my car is back to running as well and strong as it was 18 months ago and it once again sounds like a monster with the race-pipe on. I am not sure if this reset procedure is a cure-all after reflashes but it can't hurt and it might just help. If the PCM and crankshaft/e-shaft are not in synch with each other the PCM has difficulties tracking e-shaft rotation and, as such, also has difficulties controlling the ignition system and others, too. Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

 

Brought the car back - told the problem was the engine mounts, so I left it overnight waiting for the part today.

Just got the call: they can't figure out why the engine is vibrating at 2k rpm when since the recall, so they said I'm getting a new engine!

I guess that's good, but I'll miss my baby for the next 2 weeks!

I can't believe Mazda is making any $$$ on this car.

 

edited, I was wrong!!!!!

 

I had the recall done back in November when my engine flooded. The car has been cranking up great with the new starter until recently. Now it's taking a ridiculously long time to fire up. I'll try this procedure and see what happens.

 

D'oh!

 

yea im at my wits' end. ill try anything to get her back to how she was. i dont care if they already cleared, im still doin it again!

 

Long standing TSB out out the starter/battery change for older 8's, a response to flooding issues in the originals. The new starter definitely will fire her up much more quickly.

 

Team, I offered the reset as an option because it worked for me and I have no idea why it would or should have but it did. If it turns out to be helpful then I don't know what to say.....except that it wouldn't hurt to try it. As a matter of fact, I just put my car through a few "paces" and I still have no misfire or any other CELs coming on. So far, so good.