Most expensive ignition problem ever. Fixed, but lesson learned.
09-03-07, 08:34 PM
#1
It's dark like Poe.
Thread Starter
Most expensive ignition problem ever. Fixed, but lesson learned.
So I FINALLY got my car out of the shop last Thursday. I had taken it to Mazdatrix for a rebuild and, after break-in, wasn't getting any top end power. They had me on a week and a half long wait for the issue, so I took the car to Tripoint.
Here's the breakdown:
~$6000 = Mazdatrix rebuilt engine. Low compression rear rotor. Level "B" rebuild, used new rotors and housings. Included clutch, flywheel, misc vacuum parts. Pre-control actuator replaced. Etc.
-Problem. Tech installed tensioner pulley backwards, caused terrible squeal. Boost leaks. All fixed at 500 mile check up. Problem. No pull over 4500 RPM. Another problem. I couldn't be worked into the schedule.
~$1800 = Tripoint dyno'd and test drove the car for three day's before figuring out that the ignition was cutting out under load. Replaced ignition, including plugs and plug wires. Replaced AST during dyno testing.
Problem. Tripoint tried to sell me a $2800 standalone solution to my problem, explaining that So Cal gas was the problem. After four different pitches, they finally agreed that the car should work just fine on the stock ECU. WTF?
Thank God I was just a LITTLE informed about my car during the process. I was really taken for a ride, but it could've been worse, and at least now everything's running like it should. I installed my PFC, plan to REinstall my KS EBC (which was "part of the problem" at Tripoint) and dropped in a black-faced amber-lit OEM headunit from an 05 Miata. Everything's finally gravy... now I'm just waiting for something ELSE to go wrong before I get a Datalogit and start tuning.
Oh yeah, the suspension started clunking recently. I guess that'll be my new beef with the car.
Here's the breakdown:
~$6000 = Mazdatrix rebuilt engine. Low compression rear rotor. Level "B" rebuild, used new rotors and housings. Included clutch, flywheel, misc vacuum parts. Pre-control actuator replaced. Etc.
-Problem. Tech installed tensioner pulley backwards, caused terrible squeal. Boost leaks. All fixed at 500 mile check up. Problem. No pull over 4500 RPM. Another problem. I couldn't be worked into the schedule.
~$1800 = Tripoint dyno'd and test drove the car for three day's before figuring out that the ignition was cutting out under load. Replaced ignition, including plugs and plug wires. Replaced AST during dyno testing.
Problem. Tripoint tried to sell me a $2800 standalone solution to my problem, explaining that So Cal gas was the problem. After four different pitches, they finally agreed that the car should work just fine on the stock ECU. WTF?
Thank God I was just a LITTLE informed about my car during the process. I was really taken for a ride, but it could've been worse, and at least now everything's running like it should. I installed my PFC, plan to REinstall my KS EBC (which was "part of the problem" at Tripoint) and dropped in a black-faced amber-lit OEM headunit from an 05 Miata. Everything's finally gravy... now I'm just waiting for something ELSE to go wrong before I get a Datalogit and start tuning.
Oh yeah, the suspension started clunking recently. I guess that'll be my new beef with the car.
09-03-07, 11:21 PM
#3
How many miles do you have on that rebuild? I would be wary of boosting, or revving too much , especially if its just over 500 mi.
Sounds like somebody was trying to make a quick buck. You should have just taken it back to mazdatrix and thrown a fit till the made time for you. If you paid to get a rebuild done, and you get it back not functioning correctly, its their **** to fix, for free, unless they can prove it was a problem on the car prior to them having it and it would have to be unrelated to any of their work.
Sounds like somebody was trying to make a quick buck. You should have just taken it back to mazdatrix and thrown a fit till the made time for you. If you paid to get a rebuild done, and you get it back not functioning correctly, its their **** to fix, for free, unless they can prove it was a problem on the car prior to them having it and it would have to be unrelated to any of their work.
09-04-07, 12:35 AM
#6
It's dark like Poe.
Thread Starter
Yeah, given that the problem was among the parts that Mazdatrix hadn't been instructed to replace, I doubt I would have gotten a deal. Honestly, I was pretty tired of the runaround I was getting there. I should also note that it took them a full ******' month for my rebuild. For a shop that specializes in RX-7's, that was a letdown. Mazdatrix left a pretty bad taste in the mouth, honestly, and while I really can't complain about what they DID do, I wish they had done it a little faster, and with a little more communication. Still, I think I was polite with them, and if I needed to get work done and had a SHITLOAD of extra time to spare, I'd take it to them.
With Tripoint, well, that was a move out of desperation. The car had been with Mazdatrix for, as I stated before, almost an entire month, and I wanted to drive my car before summer was over. See, I teach at a high school and once the year kicks in, there's a LOT less time for me. I DEFINITELY didn't want to be on Mazdatrix's calendar, and many locals, including a couple good friends of mine, had taken their cars to Tripoint and were pleased. I can't say for sure if my entire ignition system needed replacing. I really don't care. Tripoint tried to take me on a runaround with the immediate recommendation for a standalone and when I called BS on that, I think they shored up and delivered properly.
Oh yeah, about the mileage on the rebuild: I didn't really start boosting the car until I had over 1200 miles clocked in, and even then, it was VERY limited boost. With the car at over 2000 miles on the new engine, the boost is finally sorted and working properly. With the PFC, I watch air temp, water temp, injector load, and boost (that the ECU sees, yes, I know it reads low...) and everything runs within spec. With proper warming and cool down, I think everything's going to last, well, a relatively long time.
ANYWAY, I definitely learned an important lesson, and even though it cost me, I can at least say it was worth it. Getting the car back was like driving it home for the first time. I get in there, and I can actually relax. I've always felt that you couldn't put a price on that, but maybe I should. :/
With Tripoint, well, that was a move out of desperation. The car had been with Mazdatrix for, as I stated before, almost an entire month, and I wanted to drive my car before summer was over. See, I teach at a high school and once the year kicks in, there's a LOT less time for me. I DEFINITELY didn't want to be on Mazdatrix's calendar, and many locals, including a couple good friends of mine, had taken their cars to Tripoint and were pleased. I can't say for sure if my entire ignition system needed replacing. I really don't care. Tripoint tried to take me on a runaround with the immediate recommendation for a standalone and when I called BS on that, I think they shored up and delivered properly.
Oh yeah, about the mileage on the rebuild: I didn't really start boosting the car until I had over 1200 miles clocked in, and even then, it was VERY limited boost. With the car at over 2000 miles on the new engine, the boost is finally sorted and working properly. With the PFC, I watch air temp, water temp, injector load, and boost (that the ECU sees, yes, I know it reads low...) and everything runs within spec. With proper warming and cool down, I think everything's going to last, well, a relatively long time.
ANYWAY, I definitely learned an important lesson, and even though it cost me, I can at least say it was worth it. Getting the car back was like driving it home for the first time. I get in there, and I can actually relax. I've always felt that you couldn't put a price on that, but maybe I should. :/
Trending Topics
09-04-07, 09:31 AM
#8
Rotary Enthusiast
when you go to tripoint its all about money. next time call Jeff at Rotary Power in Gardina (310-516-9959). he's a great guy to deal with and won't sell you stuff you don't need. I've been to both shops and got taken at tripoint for a lot of money before going to Rotary Power. with this car you got to live and learn and try to do as much as you can by yourself.
Jeff
Jeff
09-04-07, 09:49 AM
#9
One month for a complete R&R is actually pretty damn good from what I've seen from an independent shop.
There was another post recently where GoRacer took apart his 2nd Mazdatrix rebuld that only lasted 1500 miles to find he didnt' get what he paid for. It's a damn shame to see all of these well respected names in the rotary world screwing people over. I was taken on a ride by Pineapple back in 2002.
Jack
There was another post recently where GoRacer took apart his 2nd Mazdatrix rebuld that only lasted 1500 miles to find he didnt' get what he paid for. It's a damn shame to see all of these well respected names in the rotary world screwing people over. I was taken on a ride by Pineapple back in 2002.
Jack
09-04-07, 05:43 PM
#10
A spec charged me like $6300 for a stock Mazda reman and my car ended up missing parts, missing bolts, loose bolts and a broken antenna plus it only took them almost two months. So you got off pretty easy aim still not done getting back and buying all the parts I ended up missing actually not even missing stolen by going to A spec.
09-04-07, 06:02 PM
#11
Do It! Do It!
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Crofton, MD
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Who at tripoint tried to sell you that? And what ECU were they trying to sell at 2800?
I know a lot of people there Tri-Point when I lived in LA and that just doesn't sound right...
I know a lot of people there Tri-Point when I lived in LA and that just doesn't sound right...
09-04-07, 06:07 PM
#12
Rotary Enthusiast
after paying top dollar at well respected shops I still found missing bolts and clamps , broken clips and torn wires with silicone goop on them. like I said you need to do as much by yourself as you can to get quality control. what makes me mad is paying top dollar for poor work. just remember when you go to a big name shop the guy working on your car is'nt the guy with the big name its the new tech who is just learing and may not know as much as you!
Jeff
Jeff
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tiger18
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
9
09-03-15 08:27 PM