hey guys. just picked up my FD yesterday. now now, im not a newbie. i have researched this for nearly two years now before i bought one. well, i see to see oil right above the exhaust manifold. (from the bottom to top of manifold) its the 4 piece into 1. there is a ring/gasket right there. i see that its oily there. it seems to be absorbed into the EX manifold a little. i dont think this is normal but some feedback would be nice. i just got the car and it was in the shop at a LOCAL mazda dealer. i know, i know, mazda shop, but that is where the warranty was. it now has an extended warranty with the new motor, and i want to try and take it to ricks rotary in pleasanton. does anyone know if rick's does warranty work??? sorrry, just babbling on. i will try and get a pic to show where i think there is oil
kris

 

I donno if oil by the exhaust manifold is normal or not.

I thought your car is still getting a tranny synchro replaced at the dealer. I would suggest that you go to a different dealer if your tranny experience wasn't very good.

Warranty will probably not work at Rick's rotary if it's a mazda warranty. Call your warranty company to find out for sure though. A quick call to Rick can also help you to determine if you've got a problem or not.

 

it just came out of there and i picked it up yesterday. before i bought it, it was in the shop for a new motor which took nearly three months. this car will never see that shop again. i will be picking the heads of whomever i choose to work on it next. there is a mazda shop in my town that i will check on. i dont think i will be using them though. its just a look around thing. i will get the pic in the morning, more likely evening tomorrow to see if anyone can diagnose it. its under warranty now, and i would love to get new turbos, along with the new motor, and rebuilt tranny. i may extend this warranty just until i pay off the car. then i will just have a false sense of security until i free up the monthly payments.
kris

 

You can get warranty work done at another shop, you just might have to clear it with the warranty company first. BTW, I have a Honda extended warranty and I have gotten about $2800 worth of warranty repairs done at Rick's with no problems. He even calls the company for you, so there is no need for you to deal with them. Also, Rick seems to be a very straight up and honest guy and has done good work for me so far.

 

If you have to use a Mazda dealer for warranty reason, you should check out Sunnyvale Mazda. Ivan is a rotary god there! He even has a CYM in his living room. He is very nice and knowledgeable. He is perhaps one of the best rotary mechanic around the country. Make sure you tell the dealer to only let him touch your car!

 

thanks guys. i have still yet to show you the picture, but i know that this oil is not supposed to be there. ive only had the car for three days and it looks like its going to go back to the shop. i have to get my current warranty transfered into my name and then see if i can extend it. its easier to just keep getting factory motors for free(price of warranty) then it is to shell out the dough for a new motor right now. well this is a new motor. i have a few years to pay on the car, so well see how that goes. oh well, i love this car too much, so if its in the shop a lot so be it. its my new baby, and i am LOVING HER.
kris