UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by Petros »

Casey, thanks for your work on this.
In the next few months I have to book my car for multiple recalls so will mention it to the service advisor.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by Torque23 »

I am a newbie here with a 2005, 55 plate 190hp 1.3 RX8 on the way most likely very soon. Does this recall affect the car? The MOT site just says they don't hold any info and refers me to the Mazda to check. I am a bit confused if there is a limited age and VIN range for the recall/recalls. Are there any other recalls I need to check for before paying for the car? It is from a small car dealer with good reputation but no idea of previous owners or history of recall work.

Thanks in advance.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by warpc0il »

Post or PM the VIN and I can check the Mazda database for you.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by Torque23 »

warpc0il wrote:
Mon Jul 05, 2021 4:43 pm
Post or PM the VIN and I can check the Mazda database for you.
Thanks for the reply. I got the VIN from the dealer and check the Mazda online recall page. There is one recall listed for the fuel leak from the pump discharge line and the dealer has agreed to get this fixed at a Mazda dealer. Does this mean any other recalls have already been done except this one? Is there anywhere to check completed recalls and history?
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by warpc0il »

All the recalls applied to all the cars, with the exception of the front lower steering arm, that was limited to 2003/4 production.
That could have applied to a car registered in 2005, depending how long it was in the showroom.

The Mazda online recall page just shows what is still outstanding, so you must assume that the rest have been completed.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by Judderman »

Really dumb question probably, but I’ve only just come across this i have a 2004 RX8, is there anywhere I can find out if my car has had the recalls sorted?? If not is it too old now for them to be done.

Thanks

J
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by FrankRX »

Judderman wrote:
Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:22 pm
Really dumb question probably, but I’ve only just come across this i have a 2004 RX8, is there anywhere I can find out if my car has had the recalls sorted?? If not is it too old now for them to be done.

Thanks

J
Here are all 13 safety recalls for your 2004 RX8 - NHTSA and RAPEX all in one with campaign numbers and problem descriptions. The newest recalls dated 2019 so maybe you still can ask dealer to fix them.

MOD BIT: This post has been approved, to enable correction of this mis-information, which has also be circulated on other platforms. The above link only applies to vehicles sold in North America, not UK or Europe.
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Re: UPDATE Page 4: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by rotatopotato »

rotatopotato wrote:
Fri Nov 13, 2020 9:52 am
I've updated my original post here as the work has now been done: viewtopic.php?p=1281799#p1281799

No problems at all 👍
Over a year later and I suddenly have a drip drip leakage down the passenger side of the fuel tank. Lifted the seat squabs, lo and behold:
IMG_20211106_123003.jpg
That's fuel alright :(

Driver's side is fine:
IMG_20211106_124226.jpg
As its been well over a year now I assume I'm not going to have any luck taking this back to Mazda, and to be perfectly honest after being screwed around by Arnold Clark South St over the airbag recall I really don't want the hassle of trying to get them to take ownership of this. Nor do I really want them touching the car full stop. However, from scanning the posts it seems the issue requires a special tool to fix, so not really a DIY fix? Will this have to go back to Mazda or am I likely to have luck with an independent garage?
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by rotatopotato »

Looks like the only tool available locally is this one from Essex Rotary, anyone had any experience with it? http://essexrotarystore.com/product/bla ... -for-rx-8/

Is the issue here a cap not being tightened properly, or is there more to it?
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by ChrisHolmes »

The two legged tool is a pain to use so I would steer clear. Clearly the job has not been done correctly by the dealer and the leak is the only evidence required. There can be no warranty expiry get out as it’s recall work and cannot be said to be wear and tear because if tightened correctly the seals will not leak.
If the dealer does not agree to collect the car and carry out the repair without charge then contact Mazda at Dartford, contact details are at the beginning of this thread, and inform them of the situation. Meanwhile don’t drive the car as the fuel leak is a major safety hazard.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by rotatopotato »

Thanks Chris. I really don't see this going well with the dealer in terms of me not having to pay for it, but I guess I have to try.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by rotatopotato »

I don't see anything about contact details for Mazda Dartford, but presumably its the one on Victory Way in Dartford, phone number +44 345 748 4848.

Perhaps casey can advise if there is a specific contact point for this?
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by ChrisHolmes »

Dont start with that expectation. In my opinion they have no option as the sole reason fir the recall was to prevent a fuel leak. The fact is is leaks now and it didn’t before so clearly the work was not done to the required standard as the seals are designed to last the lifetime if the car, if fitted correctly.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by rotatopotato »

You're right Chris, I've just been screwed over by this particular dealer before, hence my trepidation. But I'll see how I get on when they're open again on Monday.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by Delanor »

Might be worth keeping an eye on this as it only takes literally 10 minutes to lift the access covers, I have just checked on mine - both sides dry.

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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by rotatopotato »

I was just thinking that this could be another wave of fuel recall issues where the leak develops "some time" after the recall work has been completed, so I would encourage anyone who's had the work done "successfully" to have another look just in case.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by casey »

It is concerning to hear of another, apparantly delayed, leak following the recall.

I suggest you initially contact the dealer to seek a resolution and keep a good record of any contact with them. Emails would be good. If you are unhappy with their response, contact me via PM and I will raise it with senior management at Mazda UK. No promises, but it's worth a try if you feel the dealer is not giving the service you expect.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by rotatopotato »

Interestingly the leak seems to have stopped although the tank is still very much full - I had gone through the procedure of removing the fuel pump relay and running the engine out of fuel as per the tech manual, and then later starting it back up to re prime the system and let it run till the temp needle lifted. Since then (it's been a couple of hours or so) there has been no sign of further leakage from the pump cap (I'd wiped it up with a rag prior). I'll check it again in the morning, if there is still no sign of the leak I'll brim the tank again and see if it returns. Obviously sending it to the dealer without an active leak they're just going to charge me £120 for the 'diagnosis' and tell me there's nothing wrong.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by ChrisHolmes »

The fuel will have dropped below the level of the sealing ring hence no leak. I suggest brimming the tank at the nearest fuel station to the dealers then you can simply drive there and show them.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by rotatopotato »

I just took it for a quick drive, leak started up again so sloshing about is enough to trigger it. I will be having the dealer collect the car rather than take it to them (due to safety but also because its a hassle and cost to me to drop it off and get taxis back home/back to the dealer), so when they come I'll have the inspection cover off to show them exactly whats happening and explain that if it stops they'll need to brim the tank again.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by warpc0il »

Rectification following Recall or Warranty work is always an interesting discussion between the dealer and the manufacturer.

I've been party to a few of these in the past and you can understand the argument that the Recall/Warranty work parts kit was incomplete or that the replacement parts were as bad (or worse) than those originally fitted, or that the instructions were incomplete or inaccurate, if there was any evidence to back this up.

However, the most common argument always seemed to be that "Not enough time was included in the job sheet" so either they "Didn't have time to do a proper job" or they "Couldn't afford to put a fully qualified technician on the job". #-o [-X

I wonder what your dealers excuse is going to be when they try to claim the cost of the rework from Mazda.

You need to keep yourself out of that loop and just make sure that they're going to do the job properly this time, at no cost to you.

However, it would be worth making sure that they know that the original recall work instructions have been superseded and they should be following the latest version live on the Mazda system.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by casey »

Update on rotatopotato's case.

Despite his best efforts, and then mine by involving Mazda UK at senior level, Jason was offered 25 November as the earliest date that the dealer would look at his car (a wait of 15 days). Originally, the date offered was in early December, but the dealer came back with a "better" date after attempts by Mazda UK to treat the issue with more urgency.

Jason is, understandably, unhappy to wait that long and is planning to book the car into an independent garage to fix the leak. I have sent rotatopotato the original UK TSB to pass on to the garage he chooses, so at least they are fully aware of the procedure, tightening torque, etc. I have mentioned to rotatopotato that the only (known) major difference to the procedure is tank brimming before inspecting for leaks.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by 79398 »

Disgraceful, and only serves to reinforce the premice not to use dealers, either for service or purchases of these cars.
It's decades since Mazda trained their staff on dealing with rotaries or proper procedures in maintaining or recalls.
It's why I would never recommend prospective newcomers to the RX8 experience to rely on a full dealer service history as anything other than something to use when the toilet paper runs out.
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Re: UPDATE 3/21: **SAFETY ALERT: Fuel Tank recall - Fuel Leaks & Other Issues"

Post by rotatopotato »

I very much appreciate Malcolm's assistance with this, and Mazda's attempts to have the dealer treat this issue with the urgency it deserves, however this is just more fuel on the "never use Arnold Clark" fire here in Scotland, on top of the general "don't bother taking a rotary to Mazda" rule.

I've got an independent garage lined up to look at this, he's worked on RX-8s before and his son is on this forum somewhere with his RX-8, and he works at my local MOT station, so it's going into trusted hands. In fact the owner of the garage initially wanted to make sure I was aware that there is potential risk for the thread on the tank to have been stripped rendering the tank in need of replacement, and that Mazda will not touch it after they have, but after speaking with Malcolm who confirmed my suspicions that we are not aware of this ever being an issue with the RX-8s I decided to take the risk and forge ahead with cutting Mazda/Arnold Clark out of the loop. I have much more faith in the ability of this garage than I do Arnold Clark and am happy to pay the cost of a new seal/ring if required (or indeed having a tank from a scrapped car fitted if it comes to that).

Unfortunately I still need to wait until the 22nd to get it in, however I'd still rather wait and take it to this particular garage and it's still three days earlier than the "best" date Arnold Clark could give me.

Until then I hope no stray fag-ends or fireworks land in my driveway! :lol:

Thanks again Malcolm for the assistance, this club is fantastic :)
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