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Mazda RX-8 Problems and Solutions - READ ONLY

1414 messages,  Last post on Oct 18, 2006 at 10:17 AM

You are in the Mazda RX-8 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda RX-8, Coupe

Messages Page 127 of 142

#1254 of 1414 Re: RX-8 SHINKA [donalds] by mmauller57

May 01, 2006 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: donalds (Mar 30, 2005 8:33 am)
Yes, I hate My RX-8 and Mazda. I have a 2004 Mazda RX-8 and it has been nothing but a problem. Every Winter it wouldn't start they could not get it fixed. Had a problem with the Heater. I took it end after the warranty ran out to get a oil change and told them about the noise in the engine. He has 69,000 miles they took it out and test drove it and called me and said the noise was really bad and they could not get it started. They then called me and said Mazda said it needed a new engine. Mazda paid for the engine but I had to pay 1700.00 to have it installed. What a rip off. Even the cashier at Mazda told me they have had nothing but engine problems with the 2004 Mazda and she is telling everyone they better get rid of them. SHe said I better trade it in. I will never buy another Mazda product and I have owned 4.

#1255 of 1414 Re: RX-8 SHINKA [mmauller57] by fishnhard

May 01, 2006 (7:19 pm)

Replying to: mmauller57 (May 01, 2006 12:57 pm)
Wow I am sorry to hear you have had such a problem with your RX. Well this is what I know from Mazda of North America. The 04 had a lot of problems, and the 05 has some as well just not as many. When I spoke to Mazda of NA they told me they have identified the problems and have informed the dealerships to fix them. The problem is getting the vehicle to act up when at the dealership. Like I have stated in other reply, I am an ASE technician. I will speak from experience that it is hard sometimes for us to identify what the customer is hearing or feeling. I personally take the tech on a drive to make sure there is no question of my complaint. As for my 05, it will be going back to the dealer this friday. It will be for the popcorn noise. On the other hand I can assure you the dealers want to fix it the first time. They only get paid about 1/2 the normal book time to fix it. So you can imagine they dont want to keep doing it over. Now for my opinion, the RX-7 was last produced I believe in 1996 or 97, so if Mazda has had about 8 or so years to perfect the Rotary design, you think it would have happened. I love my 05! It sucks that I am taking it back for the 5th time. However Mazda wants happy customers. This car is there flagship, they dont want a bunch of pissed off costomers. I am not siding with Mazda or the customer, just giving my side of how I see things. A few weeks ago I was ready to give the car back to Mazda till I talked to Mazda of NA. If you call them, they will open a case file for your vehicle. Not saying it will help, but if we all make it a point to call them and let them know we are uneasy about the car, eventually something will happen. Till next time, enjoy the ride if you can.

#1256 of 1414 Re: RX-8 SHINKA [fishnhard] by trispec

May 02, 2006 (3:35 am)

Replying to: fishnhard (May 01, 2006 7:19 pm)
Hello again fishnhand.
 
Well I'll be waiting for good news on your popcorn rattle issue. I've brought up my popcorn rattle noise several times as a topics for discussion here, but everyone has either dismissed it as something else other than an engine noise or they've said that true per-ignition is massively manifested by pronounced power loss and check engine lights flashing which has never happened to me. But at this point, I'm totally convinced that the popcorn rattle is coming from the engine and it's related to overly rich fuel mix complexities.
 
My small worry is that the popcorn rattle will get worse over time as a symptom of something critical, like an Apex seal breakdown. I doubt this, but it's still a small worry. Hopefully it's just a tweaking of the computer. Of course, my RX-8 AT is a Group 2 build with all the latest flashes done at the factory. I verified the vehicle ID number as being recall free before I bought it.
 
Seriously, good luck. I'm definitely going to take action based on your experience. Thanks.

#1257 of 1414 Re: RX-8 SHINKA [trispec] by fishnhard

May 03, 2006 (9:10 am)

Replying to: trispec (May 02, 2006 3:35 am)
Hello again trispec,
  I agree that it is an over fueling problem, I am getting large puffs of black smoke form time to time when the rattle happens. I am also hoping it is just a computer flash or something simple to fix the problem. I have not heard of this problem in the manual trans. If I am wrong someone please let me know. I will post my results on Friday when I get the car back from the dealer. I just hope what I post is good news. Until then try to enjoy the ride all!!

#1258 of 1414 HOT AIR from A/C by bullwinkle fan

May 04, 2006 (2:16 pm)

Had the dealer check the A/C at the last oil change. They said a rock or other road debrie put a hole in the condencer.( $300.00 ) and $500. labor. Has Mazda come out with a guard for the condencer, I hate to have this happen again. " 04. AT,17k and no problems....YET "

#1259 of 1414 Re: HOT AIR from A/C [bullwinkle fan] by qbrozen

May 05, 2006 (8:15 am)

Replying to: bullwinkle fan (May 04, 2006 2:16 pm)
You might want to just look for an aftermarket mesh grille insert. I had the very same thing happen on the wife's SUV. I bought a grille insert on Ebay the next day.

#1260 of 1414 Rattle/popcorn noise and black smoke by fishnhard

May 05, 2006 (2:09 pm)

Hey all, I just a call back from my Mazda dealer regarding the popcorn/rattle noise we have talked about. Well I guess now there is an upgrade to the computer, but the catch is they have to pull the computer out and send it to Cali to get updated. The tech that has been working on my car was shocked when he heard the noise this morning. So I now have to take it back on the 15th of this month. So I will update again after that visit. I can still drive the car. At least I can still make the rotary get together tomorrow in Eastern Wa.

#1261 of 1414 Re: Rattle/popcorn noise and black smoke [fishnhard] by trispec

May 06, 2006 (5:59 am)

Replying to: fishnhard (May 05, 2006 2:09 pm)
Ugh. Well as a computer guy, I guess I'm more comfortable with a computer upgrade than an engine pull.
 
A few questions:
 
1) How did the service tech diagnose the problem?
 
2) When does the black smoke appear and how do you see it?
 
3) Is the carbon build up on the tail pipe particularly bad?
 
Thanks, and good luck. I'm going to wait on taking action until you've gotten satisfaction.

#1262 of 1414 Re: Rattle/popcorn noise and black smoke [trispec] by fishnhard

May 06, 2006 (7:32 am)

Replying to: trispec (May 06, 2006 5:59 am)
Well for starters, we took the tech for a ride and the noise happened the first time we got on the gas and hit 5000 rpm. He said that is all he had to hear and that he has never heard an RX-8 make that noise. The black smoke appears at 5000 rpm, and in the regular automatic setting. Has not done it in the auto stick mode. About 3 out of 5 times when it make the rattle we get the smoke. He called the tech line and they told him there is an update for the computer but it can only be done in Cali. The dealerships can not do it. The carbon build up on the tail pipe is a normal condition on this car, it is for the most part a 2 stroke engine. It burns oil due to the oil injector. I hope that answered your questions. Hope to meet some of you today in Wenatchee.

#1263 of 1414 Re: Rattle/popcorn noise and black smoke [fishnhard] by trispec

May 09, 2006 (2:59 am)

Replying to: fishnhard (May 06, 2006 7:32 am)
From a previous thread, I've been experimenting with mixing back and forth 89 octane and 93 octane Shell gas to test the correlation between the popcorn/rattle and the two octane levels.
 
1) The popcorn/rattle (which could also be described as a gurgling sound as well) does appear to less noticed with more 89 octane gas.
 
2) MPG does also appear to be better with 89 octane gas.

Messages Page 127 of 142

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