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Mazda RX 8 Engine Failure Problem

100 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 3:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda RX-8, Auto Repair, Engine, Oil, Car Warranties

Messages Page 10 of 10

#91 of 100 Re: Psi compression [sagy364] by claires HOST

Jun 05, 2012 (9:43 pm)

Replying to: sagy364 (Jun 05, 2012 5:15 pm)
Sagy, this might be a good question for our Answers section -- some of our members hang out there answering quick questions:
http://answers.edmunds.com
  
After you post your question, you can check for responses by clicking the "my answers profile" link near the top of the page.
 
ClaireS, Host
Automotive News & Views | Coupes & Convertibles

#92 of 100 Engine Problems by wslonecker

Jun 12, 2012 (6:43 pm)

We have had our RX-8 for about 6 years now and have just started experiencing problems. We have always kept up maintenance and what not. During hot weather we cannot run our A/C or the car will die. That was our first problem, now everytime we start slowing down the car will die, we have replaced the battery with a Optimus and now the car starts right back up however the engine light stays on. It's no surprise if the car dies 2-3 times on us whenever we make a 30 mile trip. I called our Mazda dealership and found out that our car still has the engine warranty and I was told it would be $200 to run diagnositics on the car and if it was engine problems then they would waive the $200 and fix whatever is messed up. I am really leaning towards it being the engine however I hate to take it up there and have them say it's something completely different. We have hooked our diagnostics machine up to the car a few times when the engine light would come on and it has always suggested replacing the engine to fix the problems so hopefully that little machine is right!!

#93 of 100 Replacement Engine - update a year later by strongtree

Jun 12, 2012 (8:09 pm)

Hi again RX-8 owners,
 
responding a year later to my original post regarding trying to get Mazda to replace our engine on the 2004 RX-8. I had spark problems and it wouldn't start. that cost me $750 to find out the engine was bad at the dealership, then $1000 to get the engine replaced. I will say that Mazda does realize they have issues with this year of engine and did replace it. They originally said I had to show that oil changes had been maintained for the first 40,000 miles but I had no way of doing that. After complaining to them they said they would replace it but I had to pay $1000.
 
so we replaced it, then the gas tank wouldn't fill correctly at the gas station. the gas pump wouldn't lock and stay on so you had to hold the handle on while filling it and it would click off avery few seconds. getting a full tank took 20 minutes minimum.
 
after that the engine light came back on and stayed on most of the time. i traded it in to a dealer at a $4,000 loss from what I paid which includes the cash I put into it.
 
i would not buy a rotary engine again and would warn others to seriously research them prior to buying one. Mazda did replace it because they realize they have issues but it's not worth the hassle and cash. i think mazda makes decent cars, just not this year and engine. so beware. that's my story. i read a few posts on here where others are having good luck with them, so good for them. i hope they continue to have good luck, all i can do is report my unfortunate luck and warn others to do their homework.

#95 of 100 check engine light high rpms by clrx8r3

Aug 31, 2012 (7:03 am)

Hello all,
 
I wanted to see if anyone experiences/ have experienced the same problem as I have. I have a 2009 rx8 r3 package.
 
Every time i get on the highway and i go about 70-80 at around 4000 rpm in 6th gear my check engine light goes on.
 
If i go faster or slower there is no light.
 
Is there anyone that can shed some light on this issue. Is it electrical or do I have a leak somewhere??

#96 of 100 Re: Replacement Engine - Mazda RX8 reliability [trex8] by newtorx8club

Jan 21, 2013 (9:58 pm)

Hello, you seem to know a lot about these kinds of cars. I actually am getting into a 2004 Rx8. What are some things i need to know about. The dos and donts with rotary engines.

#97 of 100 Re: Replacement Engine - Mazda RX8 reliability [newtorx8club] by trex8

Jan 21, 2013 (10:19 pm)

Replying to: newtorx8club (Jan 21, 2013 9:58 pm)
Did you get a compression check of the rotors? That's what can shed light on the seals.
Otherwise, use the recommended oil... Stay on top of all maintenance. Seriously, if you have even a slight mechanical ability , you can change plugs, wires, coils yourself... Buy them online for 1/2 dealer price... Took me 2 hours first time... Takes me 30min now.... It's important to replace every 30k miles.
Check out RX8club.com great group of support there!!
Good luck! My 2095 has120k!

#98 of 100 2005 Mazda RX8 Automatic - Third Motor! by rotaryproblems

Jan 30, 2013 (10:38 am)

1st motor replacement: 20K miles
 
We just had the third motor and cat installed after 60,000 miles under the 100K/8yr extension.
Symptoms included: Very sluggish during take off, car occasionally dying at stop signs or backing up
 
The car was flooded, would not start and needed to be towed. The service department started the motor and ran the diagnostics for compression under the service bulletin (~$350). If the car was drivable and we had driven the car to the service department we would have been charged that fee. They found that the compression was low and eligible for another motor replacement at the cost of Mazda. They also found that the cat had excessive carbon build up.
 
Out of pocket expenses: $520
~$120 to start motor
~$400 for new coils
~$20 for a new belt (one of the ribs was broken)
 
The cost for motor replacement and cat including labor: ~$7000 (covered by Mazda).
 
Service center also recommending replacing coils at cost of owner.
 
Issue per the service department: Driving the car like a honda will cause excessive build up in the cat and plug the cat causing the spark plugs to foul and apex seals to fail (aka motor failing).
 
Recommendation from service department: Refrain from driving in automatic and drive using the paddle shifters whenever possible or at all times. They also recommended to drive between 3-5000 RPM, the harder you drive it the better it will treat you. On the freeway I can cruise at 75 at about 4000 rpm in third gear. They also suggested not to shut off motor before the car is fully warm, if you do rev engine for 10 seconds at 5000 RPMs.
 
Mazda should have installed a transmission with a gear ratio that does not lug the motor.
 
Right now the car drives like brand new. Although, I am concerned when the engine will fail (again) and it will likely be out of warranty. For this reason, we may end up selling the car and buying a new one without the rotary problems, or may just drive it until it fails again and sell it at a reduced cost.
 
Has anyone filed a lawsuit with Mazda? What was the outcome?

#100 of 100 engine noise by 19cobra94

May 22, 2013 (3:31 pm)

Ok, so I'm an ASE certified technician..but however have never had any serious complaints on one to have a lot of knowledge about this engine so I wanted to see if anyone can shed light to my issuDeceleratione...it's a 2005 model, only at De acceleration that the engine makes a noise like a baseball card in bicycle spokes,, but goes away upon acceleration....I'm just getting into the diagnostics and thought about trying this for my first time to see what somebody else may have experienced like this...thanks

Messages Page 10 of 10

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