http://jalopnik.com/mazdas-new-ceo-has-no-plans-to-bring-the-rotary-engine-1467670527
How'd he get his job?! This is the death knell for Mazda. Where
someone stands on Wankel rotaries should be part of the litmus test for
ANY sort of advancement/promotion in Mazda! You called it Paul: Seppuku.
These "Skyactive-G/D" engines are SAD. ALL diesel (actually all piston
engines, period) engines w/timing belts (AKA RUBBER FCKING BANDS!!)
FAIL. Its designed obsolescence, and the manufacturers know it that's
why they love timing belts. If a company is going to have a piston
engine it NEEDS timing GEARS/gear driven cams. Better yet, go 2 stroke
and ditch valves completely! But best of all, as WE know, ditch
reciprosaurs and go rotary!!
Dan G.
This won't affect us much as there are 2.5 million rotaries still
out there.
People rarely buy a new engine from a dealer.
Here is a friend of mine experience with Mazda timing belts.
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Car destroyed by FixCarNow
1995 Mazda Millenia
8-1-12, Wednesday: I took the car to Troy at FixCarNow to diagnose
the check engine light problem. As I remember, he said they likely still
had the codes on file, so I thought it would be a relatively simple job.
Again I told him that another mechanic had said it was the second
solenoid causing the light to come on intermittently. They did not get
to my car that day, so I left it overnight, and drove a loaner car home.
8-2-12, Thursday: Troy called and told me that the car needed the
timing belt replaced, as well as tensioners ($ 889), and should have the
water pump done at the same time, an additional charge. Then he said I
should have not one, but 2 solenoids replaced, which would be $ 329
each. I was shocked as this would be over $ 1500, and I had already
spent almost that much for the earlier repairs, rebuilt starter, and
towing. He said he would give me 10% off if I had all of it done, around
$1440 as I remember. I said I had to think about it as that was a lot of
money to spend on the car again, for repairs I had not asked for. Later
I agreed to get the timing belt package done for $ 900, as Troy
expressed to me that it was the most important to do immediately.
8-4-12, Saturday: Troy called and said my car was almost finished,
but he wanted to replace a couple more belts, as it did not make sense
to put the old ones back on. I felt I had no choice really, but to
agree. He said there was no extra labor charge, and the belts were not
expensive. It turned out to be an additional charge of $ 51.17 for the 2
belts.
I picked up the car in the afternoon, paid $ 951.17 for the timing
belt package, water pump, 2 other belts.
8-7-12, Tuesday: I left Santa Monica in the evening to drive to
Ventura. I took PCH and got past Point Dume into the Oxnard Plain on Hwy
1, driving almost 60 mph, when I heard a sound, the check engine light
came on, and the car lost power completely. I was lucky that there was
no traffic around me at the time, and I could get over to the shoulder
and stop. It was dark; I was very shaken up.
5^th Tow: I called AAA roadside assistance at around 9:35 pm. Tow
truck came around 10 pm and towed my car to a garage in Oxnard. A friend
came and gave me a ride to Ventura, getting in around 11pm.
8-8-12, Wednesday: Chris Parra, the mechanic in Oxnard, looked at
my car, and said the timing belt was shredded, that it had been a bad
job. I called FixCarNow, and left a message that I had bad news and
needed to talk to them.
8-9-12, Thursday: I did not get a call back from FixCarNow, instead
I called them back to tell them what had happened. I spoke to Troy, who
said he never got my message. He said their warranty was only good at
their shops, so I could not have the car fixed in Oxnard. Troy said they
would have the car towed to LA and replace the timing belt, etc.
8-10-12, Friday, 6^th Tow: I went to Parra’s Auto Repair to see my
car before it was towed. I was shocked when I saw how destroyed the
timing belt was. Chris Parra, the mechanic there, said the tensioner was
not properly tightened and the belt had loosened. There was a
possibility some other damage had resulted. Luis Roman came to tow the
car to LA. Luis called later to say he had delivered my car to FixCarNow.
This was the 6^th time my car was towed in a month, from 7- 11-12
to 8-10-12.
Sunday at around noon, I got a call from Troy that my car was
ready….replaced timing belt and tensioners himself. I questioned whether
there was other damage to the car---Troy said no other damage to the
engine. I could pick it up. I said I am in Ventura without a car…and
what about all the expense and time I have had—any compensation? (2 more
tows by AAA) Troy said he would talk to Chance, his boss.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul Lamar
Is it one of the 5 stroke Miller engines?
Todd
I think so. But what difference does that make?
BTW the word "Skyactive" tells me Mazda bought into the
Al Gore global warming scam.
Paul Lamar
Dan, sounds like Fixcarnow must be an Oz company or they have learned from
one very quickly. These people usually get 'caressed" with a brick. You
Yanks are just too accepting and docile!!! Neil.
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