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Coupes & Convertibles Mazda RX-8 Mazda RX 8 Engine Failure Problem
39 messages, Last post on Oct 07, 2009 at 8:23 PM
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Replying to: trispec2007 (Mar 25, 2008 1:00 pm) so, who do i believe? where does a guy go to get the absolute best info regarding the Mazda RX-8? on the one hand, i'd hate to buy one and start having problems with it. there's nothing worse than having car trouble. but on the other hand, if all you need to do is not shut the engine off when its cold, and add a quart of oil every 1,000 miles or so, thats no big deal. help.............  Mike |
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Replying to: boswell1 (Mar 27, 2008 4:46 am)
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Replying to: boswell1 (Mar 27, 2008 4:46 am) Well, it's not complete BS. Those people telling you other wise don't know the rotary engine very well. The engine has the spark plugs mounted on the side of the engine. The rotors spin around the peanut shaped rotor housing. Depending on where the rotors stop when the engine is turned off, there is a possibility that one of the rotors sets by the spark plugs. What happens is unburned fuel can sit on the rotor, and soak the spark plugs. Now your engine is flooded. Warming up your rotary engine before shutting it off makes that excess fuel evaporate. Excess fuel left in an engine is normal, but, since normal Otto cycle engines have the spark plugs on top of the combustion chamber, flooding cannot occur. Since late 2005, Mazda has equipped the RX-8 with hotter sparking spark plugs that help reduce the chance of flooding, even when someone turns off the engine when it is not warm. The rotary design is very reliable since there are only 3 moving parts. With proper lubrication, hence more oil consumption, it is not uncommon for these rotarys to eclipse the 200K mark. Why you usually don't see them do it is because since the late 80's, Mazda only uses them in performance vehicles. With performance marketing, comes tuner support. Tuner support translates into high horse power, and really testing the limits of the engine. Look at any performance engine, and what tuners do to it. Get as much power as you can before it blows. Subaru has been the latest company to have numerous engines blown because of the massive support for the WRX/STi's. I guess 300hp out of the box is not enough. trispec knows what he is talking about, and so do I. It seems as if your other sources do not. |
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| To address sexica22 's mention of maple smell. I have a 2007 6sp auto 8 and I've smelled a distinctive sweet smell after warmed and idling. All engine's with antifreeze can have that sickingly sweet smell with even a small seep. My water is still full and my scanguage shows cruising water temps from 179-186 F so the smell is not necessarily a problem, just a clue to watch for FL22 coolant leak. | |
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FYI..consumer reports recomends the RX8 in its 06 edition, and it has a highest rating for the following categorys Engine cooling tranny drive system fuel ignition electrical AC suspension brakes exhaust body integrity power equipment body hardware it had an average rating for paint,trim and rust, overall used car verdict above average, new car verdict average. The 04 (what i own) had trouble spots with fuel ignition below average with AC and average Electrical engine body hardware Bottom line is that if you take care of the vehicle you are more than likely not to have any more problems than you would on any other car. the sheer enjoyment of the car more than makes up for the extra TLC needed to keep the car going strong |
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Replying to: trispec2007 (Mar 26, 2008 7:42 am) 
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I gave up and had the car towed to the dealership. They said in order for them to get it started they had to: Put a battery charger on Push accelerator down for 10 seconds (to engage engine), let off Then turn key over until engine turns over, however long it takes (hince the battery charger) don't stop until it works and don't repeat (you'll flood the engine more) They say it's hard on the starter and battery, but it's what must be done. Installing trailer spark plugs and hot? battery helps it from flooding in the future. Now I hope this works if I have to do it at home! |
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Replying to: boswell1 (Mar 26, 2008 6:23 am) Problem? Ya new dealer plugs which are a whopping 50 dollars each! that 200 dollars just for plugs!!! Purged the engine of all fuel and cut off the fuel injection. cracked it over about 10 times and blew it all out. Then blasted the engine with starting fluid and then insterted my shiny new spark plugs. cracked it over for about 5 seconds and she fired up and runs fine now. Scary for a 2005 with 50K |
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Replying to: duke15 (Mar 27, 2008 11:19 am) My 2005 RX-8 has always burned very, very litte oil--like one quart every 3000 miles--and I was understandably concerned. I knew it was supposed to burn more (by popular report), so had it checked. One dealer in Memphis checked it and prounounced the car "fine", but three weeks ago as I was driving to work (75 minute drive) it gained a dead-spot. I gave more gas--nothing--gave even more gas--even more nothing. When I arrived at work, I shut the car down and called my husband. He called the dealer I prefer and they drove the four hours to come haul it back to the shop. After three weeks, the shop manager (one of my new best friends) called us into his office to break the news that it had "internal engine failure".  It wasn't anything to do with the weight of the oil or how I drove it. It wasn't any actual flaw in the engine. Most likely, it had to do with the small amount of oil it was burning compared to the amount it needed. I know now that there was a service recall to adjust the oil/fuel ratio. I have NOT received ANY service bulletins/recall notices on my RX-8 since purchasing it brand new in 2006. Keep an eye out for service bulletins/recalls by checking the core Mazda forums at: http://www.coremazda.com/forums/mazda-rx8-technical-service-bulletins-tsb/ I am registered on the mazdausa.com site---which never showed any recalls or bulletins either. If it hadn't been for the Core Mazda Forum, I would never have known about the original drivetrain warranty extension to 60,000 miles, or the one posted this last summer updating the drivetrain warranty extension to 100,000 miles. I certainly never received it by mail or email. I now have a PDF of the document if anyone needs it. Email to mcneelyhomestead at yahell to get it sent to you. I hope you never need it--may your car be blessed by the rotary gods! After meeting with the Dale, I traded my beloved RX-8 in on a Mazda Tribute....they "gave" it an $8000 value. I wish the very best to everyone here. I loved my RX-8. With affection, Deaun
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Replying to: deaun (Jan 03, 2009 7:11 pm) |
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