I think Mazda Roadside recovery broke my starter motor...

[Deleted User]

Hi all,

I think Mazda roadside recovery (run by Mondial services) burn out my starter motor. I have made a complaint that they are looking into but it will take 5 days to complete. The garage have ordered a new starter motor (where the vehicle was recovered to) and it will arrive in 3 days.

My question is, am I ok to pay for the replacement before the complaint investigation is concluded or will that be seen as me agreeing with their assessment that the starter motor was broken before the assistance arrived?

Thanks for any views on this...

Lady_S

I would suggest

• you retain the old starter motor if possible incase it needs to be tested
• get a report from the dealer as to what they have found, and if they feel any damage has been caused.

Quentin

Paying for the repair won't jeopardise any claim for damage. (You can't reasonably be expected to await the completion of their investigation before getting your car back on the road!)

As advised retain the old one for their inspection. (Make sure your garage knows that you want it).

[Deleted User]

Thanks - I have faxed a request to get the starter motor and a report.

Quentin

There may be a (smallish) extra charge for the new motor, as they are usually sold on an exchange basis.

Why do you think that Mondial burnt yours out? (They should know better!). If you post details, someone in the know may be able to advise, and maybe save you the costs in keeping the old one.

[Deleted User]

Good idea Quentin, here's what happened:
I have an RX8, it has an automatic choke and a rotary engine. If you switch off your car before the auto-choke has stopped the engine floods.
I started my car yesterday morning (starts first time, always has - it only 4 years old) and then stalled it whilst reversing, engine flooded and wouldn't restart.
Called assistance. Engineer spent an hour with the fuel fuse out turning the car over every few mins. Eventually there was a metallicy burningy type smell of some sort, starter motor was no longer turning over and he had run the battery flat (even tho car battery was hooked up to his van whilst he was turning the car over). Towards the latter 20 mins or so stages of turning it over he was checking something with his torch that's under the bonnet on the passenger side just to the left of the washer fluid tank and looking at exhaust.
He then towed me bout 1/4 mile with me in second gear with the ignition on first notch to see if it would clear fuel or start. Battery was now dead btw. This didn't do anything. He then hit something under my car with a mallet and then with a metal hammer. He also tried turing it over again to start it, no starter motor kicking in and hooked up to his van battery and now a 'DCS off' light on in the warning lights info panel (not sure why). He then towed it to my usual garage who said the starter motor needed replacing at cost of approx £500.

The car was serviced in May and no report of poor starter motor from then, or any problems with starting the car.

He was saying at the start that he should only try turning the engine over for 20 mins max with 5 mins in between each try. He was at my assistance for just under 2 hours.

...

Quentin

[Deleted User] wrote:

the starter motor needed replacing at cost of approx £500.........

The lost "discount" for not having an exchange unit to send back will be a drop in the ocean if the bill is going to be £500, so don't worry too much about that! (And you will clearly need the damaged one to show Mondialnshould there be a dispute about who is to pay for these repairs).

Anihilator

What sort of car floods the engine when you stall requiring a mechanics attention :S

Secondly "you think" Without proof and I doubt you will get this you have not a leg to stand on.

noh

Anihilator wrote: »

What sort of car floods the engine when you stall requiring a mechanics attention :S

Secondly "you think" Without proof and I doubt you will get this you have not a leg to stand on.

A RX-8 does. It is a well known feature.
It's to do with the position of the plugs within the combustion chamber of the rotary engine. They are on the side rather than at the top as in a conventional engine so when running rich at start up if the engine is stalled the plugs will get soaked in fuel.
Doesn't tend to happen so much with conventional engines but still can a colleague of mine had a similar problem with a Ford Focus.

The Mazda Assist/Mondial Assistance mechanic should have been well aware of what to do ie remove fuel injection system fuse and turn the starter motor in short bursts. If he failed to get it going within about 20 minutes he should have had it recovered on a low loader to the nearest Mazda main dealer.
He is definitely at fault and they should in my opinion pay for the replacement starter motor.

Incidentaly there was a recall to fit a uprated starter motor has your car had this recall?
Ring Mazda Recall Hotline 0800 387 942 to find out. You may not need to pay for a new one if it needs one under the recall.

For further info have a look at the RX8 owners club forum.
http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/

Specifically this part of the FAQs

http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=3140


The DSC light coming on is because it (the DSC system) needs recalibrating after the battery going flat.
Covered here:-

http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=18566