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Mazda RX-8 Care & Maintenance

103 messages,  Last post on Oct 25, 2009 at 5:17 AM

You are in the Mazda RX-8 Forum. Your Host is claires

What is this discussion about? Mazda RX-8, Auto Body, Engine, Fuel System, Interior, Oil, Paint, Coupe


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#77 of 103
Re: Synthetic Oil [4_my_8] by peterrx8
Aug 09, 2007 (8:01 am)
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Replying to: 4_my_8 (Mar 09, 2007 6:23 am)

Well, here's another contribution to this discussion. I was at the Mazda dealer yesterday getting my first oil change and took the opportunity to discuss this issue with the Service Manager. He agreed that the 5W20 was not optimal for engine and brought out a container of Motul 8100 Eco-nergy 5W30 100% Synthetic oil. He told me that this oil and the other fluids in this line were used by Mazda to obtain their performance specs for th Rx8. Of course, short term performance measurement and long term care of the engine can be two very different things and when I brought this up he showed me a letter from Mazda Canada endorsing this product for long term use in the rotary engine.
 
I also raised with him the issue of seal hardening through use of the synthetic oil and he indicated that in his experience synthetic was easier on seals than conventional oil. I'm no chemist, so what do I know?
 
I've noted discussions in this thread relating to weather conditions and the consequent effect on lubrication. While Toronto summers these days have too many days in the mid-30's (mid-90's F) we certainly don't have the consistent heat of the southern states. Perhaps this is a factor in Mazda Canada's endorsement of the synthetic option.
 
Comments?
#78 of 103
Re: Oil Change Frequency [deaun] by jarman1
Aug 24, 2007 (12:37 pm)
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Replying to: deaun (Dec 23, 2006 10:09 pm)

I have an 04 rx8 6 speed with 91+K miles. My engine blew two days ago. I used only the 5w20 GTX and whatever Mazda put in there. I have learned from a MFG of the RX7 engines that the APEX seals in the RENESIS are 1/2 the thickness of the RX7 specs. My advice is find out whatever you can about keeping the engine cool. I live in N.FL and most of the miles on mine were highway. I did not opt for the extended warranty, but this is a warning to ALL RX8 owners. Change the coolant and oil frequently. There is no reason my engine should have blown at 91K miles and I have a feeling as does the dealer here in Tallahassee that Mazda is going to see most of the RX8 engines go at 90K+ miles. Especially since the APEX seals are 1/2 the thickness of the orginal design. A rebuild from MAZDA will cost you $6100, and it comes with a 12 month 12k mile warranty.
I love the 8 and the Zoom Zoom, and having owned an RX7 thougth the 8 was great until two days ago!!!
Be Warned trade it in before you warranty expires or purchase the extended warranty that covers the engine.
 
Good Luck to all you 8 owners.
 
signed, a soon to be EX 8 owner.....
#79 of 103
Fickled Car (won't start) by 4drrx8
Nov 30, 2007 (8:29 am)
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I bought the 2004 RX8 when it first came out and currently have about 29,000 miles. I have been experiencing the car not starting if it sits past three or four days...This have occurred for more than five (5) times now and I have to call roadside assistance to have it towed to the dealer for them to start (decompress the engine) the car. However, they keep telling me that the RX8 is a "FICKLED CAR" and everyone experiences this if they don't start the car for a period of more than three days. I just don't believe it and would like to know if anyone else is experiencing this problem before I tackle this legally with Mazda. I don't want this to be my bill when the warranty is expired. The car have plenty of power in the battery, it appears to be a fuel problem while the engine is trying to turn over...Can anyone provide suggestions or comments on this?
#80 of 103
Re: Fickled Car (won't start) [4drrx8] by yellowrx8
Nov 30, 2007 (2:40 pm)
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Replying to: 4drrx8 (Nov 30, 2007 8:29 am)

I have had only one occurrence of this....I started the car on a cold day and ran it for only about 30 seconds and then shut it off. 15 minutes later it did not start. Otherwise this has not happened. I have a 2004 AT with 32,000 miles. Runs great. I had heard before that the 2004 batteries were under sized and I think my delaer did replace it with a larger model (not positive on that though, would have been awhile back).
#81 of 103
Re: Fickled Car (won't start) [4drrx8] by phil59
Nov 30, 2007 (4:38 pm)
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Replying to: 4drrx8 (Nov 30, 2007 8:29 am)

sorry to hear you having that type problem,I have a 2004 rx8 which have 37,500 mi.I have let the car sit sometimes a week before I start it but have not experience that problem.I bought this car last May with 32,000 mi.so there is not a lot miles on this car.
#82 of 103
rx-8 general info by speedfreak13b
Mar 04, 2008 (5:32 pm)
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i came accross this post bsin on the net i have been workin for mazda for about 4 years now. i read all your posts and i have a few responses. first, is oil it should be checked every 500 miles at most it should be about 1/2 a quart you would be surprised how many people dont, and mazda recommends 5w20 not 30 changing might not hurt but if you live in an area where emission is regulated i fully recommend 5w20, emission standards are different in canada as opposed to here in america so refer only to your owners manual not some dumb sh&t workin behind a counter. second is to the question about starting your car every so often which also refers to the people who have issues with flooding i dont want to make people feel stupid so if you already know cool if not listen to this when your car sits up for a while the oily film inside the rotor housing begins to in a sense wear off if there is no lubrication then the engine will not build up the necessary compression to start the car this is more prone to happen in a automatic as well as engine failure a note if you own an automatic where rpms are kept lower aand the metering pump is not pushing out alot of oil so try to stay in the manumatic option and keep your rpms in the mid range, "constant lower rpms destroy these engines over time". also if your car floods and your out of warrenty dont bring it do the dealer there are a few rare case where this is necessary follow your owners manual they are a few ways to unflood the engine that another day another time type answer
#83 of 103
rebuilt engines by mdw1000
Mar 06, 2008 (9:34 pm)
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For those of you that need rebuilt engines, check out Mazmart.com. It is run by some great guys who will build you a great engine. They are also great with any parts you need. They built me a custom differential with a 4.77 gear. I also have their water pump. Better cooling and frees up a few hp.
 
They also recommend premixing, espeicially with the ATs. If you want to learn a ton about premixing pros and cons, etc, go to RX-8club.com and search on it.
#84 of 103
Loud thumping noise from rear axle by pensfan30157
Mar 17, 2008 (10:29 am)
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2004 RX-8 with 25,000 miles. Noticed really loud/bad thumping noise coming from rear of car/rear axle. Progressivly worse as speed picks up. Tires are fine with 32 PSI in both rear tires. I did rotate them also but the noise and thumping vibration continue and actually seems worse now. Any ideas? Maybe bad rotors? I have no issues when breaking, no scraping, no thumping, no problems at all, just when driving do I hear the loud noise and feel the vibration. Not too bad at slow speeds but from 40 mph up its really bad. I do not drive this car very often and am getting concerned with all the little issues I have had with it (CEL on 3 time in 6 months, the AC turn knob broke off, now this really bad thumping noise from rear of car).
 
Thanks!
#85 of 103
Re: Loud thumping noise from rear axle [pensfan30157] by mdw1000
Mar 21, 2008 (7:12 pm)
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Replying to: pensfan30157 (Mar 17, 2008 10:29 am)

Hmm, I'd take it in and have it looked at. I'd say look under the rear suspension and see if anything is obviously disconnected. Not sure if a broken endlink from a sway bar or something could do that.
 
I'd also say to check your differential fluid level. I've never done it on this particular car, but on my old truck you basically just stuck your finger in the fluid fill hole and it was supposed to be filled up to a little below the hole.
#86 of 103
My RX8 an experience with accident and oil question by lesch
Apr 01, 2008 (8:45 am)
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I own 2 MazdaRX8's both 2004, one is black with black/red leather interior, the other is black on black leather, saying I am a car nut is putting it lightly LOL My husband is 6 ft. 5 inches and he does not fit into my car well, which further makes it mine, mine, mine !!
 
Anyway as 2004 was the first year they were produced (please correct me if I am wrong) they will both be collector cars in the future, both are fully loaded 6 speed manuals with everything but navigation, I just don't like the look of it personally.
 
But this past September my car really proved it's worth in gold, I was sitting at a stop light in Golden, CO (a great little town if you ever decide to visit, we were there on vacation) waiting for a green turn light, there were two lanes of traffic to my left that were stopping for their red light, the lane to my immediate left was full, the lane to the left of that was empty, they were on a small incline, there was a stop light 1/2 way down their hill for pedesterian walkway and then your regular stop light at the top of the hill. When my light turned green, the lane to my left stopped and I proceeded, I was the first car in a line of about 5 cars waiting to turn, as I made my turn and was 1/2 way through the intersection I saw headlights coming at me in the lane that had been empty, I realized we were going to get hit as I could not go backwards as there were cars behind me and if I went forward she was going to hit my rear quarter panel and I had a full tank of gas, so I crammed my foot on the brake as hard as I could and told my passenger to hang on, laid on the horn but it did no good.
 
She hit me and pushed me 3 ft into the intersection further, crushing my left front fender, breaking my A-Arm, bening my front suspension bar, crunching part of my front door, cracking my front bumper and that is all I could see at the time of the accident of course there was more damage that I could not see.
 
I could not get out on my side and that is probably a good thing as I was plenty mad and would probably have ended up in jail had I been able to get out, there were tons of witnesses that saw her run the red lights and hit me, she was going about 35 miles an hour when she hit me, she ran the red light half way up the hill and the one at the top of the hill, as she was driving a big SUV she received only a scratch on her bumper but we were lucky that she did not run right over us.
 
I was amazed at how well my car took that hit, of course we had our seatbelts on (she did not) but we both walked away with bruises (on me from my knees hitting steering column) and sore necks, but it could have been much worse, I am a nurse and I have seen accidents of 5-10 miles an hour and have patients in serious to critical condition.
 
I was more mad then anything else, I had only had this car for 6 weeks, I bought it from a military guy who was too tall to drive it and it had 5000 miles on it when I bought it and had never even seen the rain ! She sobbed to the female policewoman that she was not "concentrating on her driving as she was going through a rough divorce and the policewoman felt sorry for her as she had just gotten out of a bad marriage herself, so she ticketed her for only running one read light, not speeding (speed limit was 10 miles per hour), not for running the first light for a total of two, not for not wearing her seatbelt (which she admitted to) not for having an expired drivers license, not for not have a registration and finally not for not having proof of insurance.
 
I had everything the policewoman asked for and here I was out of state visiting. So I asked if I could charge her a ticket as a citizen, which I did, she ended up in court and ended up loosing her license as this was just one of a long string of problems with this gal and tickets. I am sorry but why do most of us do the right thing and carry the right documentation and then someone hit you like this and have nothing they are required by law to have?
 
But what I wanted to convey to this forum is how impressed I was and even the tow driver was with how well my car took this direct hit, so not only is the Mazda RX8 a great car to drive, fun to own, an unusual car on the road (you rarely see them in my area), a truly beutiful car, it is a well made and unbelievably safe car to own and drive.
 
I do have one question though, I have been using 5/20 oil, but have read about "Royal Blue" oil, have gotten several accounts that it is better for the car, makes it run cleaner, and lasts longer, does anyone have any other information abuot this oil? Any help advice would be greatly appreciated, I check all fluids every 300 miles and do not intend on inviting trouble by ignoring my cars needs, but am always interested in learning about something new.
 
Thank you very much and happy ZOOM ZOOM....
Pam

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