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Mazda RX 8 Engine Failure Problem

101 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2013 at 1:38 PM

You are in the Mazda RX-8 Forum.

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

Messages Page 9 of 11

#79 of 101 Re: Replacement engine [strongtree] by cashboyz

Jul 07, 2011 (9:48 am)

Replying to: strongtree (Jul 07, 2011 4:23 am)
That sounds so familiar, I had bought a 2005 for my son and made the mistake of doing the research after the fact on the rotary engine and realized a little too late that they are junk. Keep hearing that you have to run them hard but give me a break, you should be able to start a car , move it (no matter how far or long) and still be able to start the damn car again. Its a joke, I feel that Mazda should purchase every one of these lemons back and scrap'em. I have mastered the art of starting mine after you flood the engine , If it doesnt start you have to constantly work at turning the key and try cranking without thge gas pedal for about 8 sec. and then turn off press the gas pedal down and let go then try starting again for 8 sec. Keep doing this for about 15 to 30 min and finally you will create enough build-up of fuel to startup. Just make sure to hook up some cables to another battery so you dont kill yours trying.

#80 of 101 counterpoint by grinnin

Aug 13, 2011 (9:15 am)

Just to put it out there - despite what you will read on these forums (where people go when they have a problem) - lots of happy satisfied folks own RX-8s. I have a 2004 with 44K miles on it. I drive it all year long in a wintery climate (Boston) and frequently take short trips (1 mile each way on a cold engine) to commuter station to go to work. Never - not even once - has the car flooded or failed to start for me. It did recently get an ignition coil replaced after some rough running. 7 years later I still smile pretty much the whole time I drive the car. My wife loves it too.

#81 of 101 Re: car won't start [aliteebs] by raptor75

Aug 16, 2011 (11:05 am)

Replying to: aliteebs (Mar 31, 2011 12:59 pm)
First off the rotary is different then a piston engine. If you flood a piston engine over time the fuel will drain from the cylinders into the crank case and allow the engine to start. In an rotary the gas has no ware to drain to so it settles at the bottom of the rotary chamber until you try to start again and just re-floods the engine. If the engine is warm it allow the gas to evaporate and no flooding. That is why they tell you to warm the car up before shutting it down.
 
To clear your car try pushing the gas peddle to the floor (this will shut off the fuel injectors) and crank the car for six seconds. Try this 2 or 4 times waiting in between and always press the gas to the floor or you'll just make the flooding worst. Now try starting the car normally with foot off the gas. If this does not work you have to remove the spark plugs and then do the outlined procedure again. Let the car sit a few minutes between cranks. Reinstall the spark plugs and you should start. You can also pull start the car if you have a manual. Have another car pull the RX to 20mph then dump the clutch in 2nd gear. This will start the car.
 
The flooding prevents the apex seal from sealing well and causes weak compression and no starting. In 2005 Mazda installed a stronger battery and faster starter. This spun the engine fast which increased the sealing force of the apex seals which helped greatly with the flood issue. If your car is an 2004 confirm it received this update.
 
If you are a little careful, you will never flood. If you car is at normal operating temperature you will never flood. If you move the car a small amount let it idle for a minute or two rev the car to 5,000rpms and turn off the engine while it is revved to 5000. I have done this for 6 year and never flooded once.

#82 of 101 New Engine Expenses by jamesam1

Sep 22, 2011 (8:49 am)

Hello,
 
I've just run into some of the same problems that others describe about RX8 engine failure. I have a 2005 Shinka with about 47K miles, and it started having troubles starting. So I took it to the dealer, and $1000 later I had a carbon-free engine with new coils and plugs, a clean fuel system, and few other bright and shiny improvements. Ran great, idled great as I drove it away. I parked it at my house, and Monday morning it started great. Stopped at the bank a few miles down the road and it took 3 tries to start it. hmmm. Left it at the airport for a week, started fine, drove great to the house. Turned it off, and just for fun tried to start again... Nope--just cranked. 10 minutes later, still no start. After it cooled, it started and I took it back to the dealer. Now they say it needs a new engine.
 
My question: they tell me that Mazda requires them to do (most of) the $1000 in fixes before they will replace the engine, and that I'm stuck with that. Is that true? Is it really a warranty repair if I have to pay for a lot of other stuff to get the replacement? Is there a way to recover this money?

#83 of 101 Re: New Engine Expenses [jamesam1] by raptor75

Sep 22, 2011 (9:21 am)

Replying to: jamesam1 (Sep 22, 2011 8:49 am)
Some Mazda's dealers are really shitty when dealing with the engine replacements. A simple compression test(actually a vacuum test) would have told them that the engine was shot. Many dealers will do this right off. At 47K if the coils and plugs were never replaced it was time to have them replaced. If they already were then I would have an issue with the dealer. When the engine is replaced do not let them try and stick you for other charges, seals, bolts ect.... Some dealers have been known to do this to pad their bill. Mazda will pay them to replace the engine and all parts necessary to do that replacement.
 
You could call Mzada corp. (Not the dealer) to complain and ask why they did all this work rather then check the compression. They might refund some of the money. You'll get no where with the dealers so skip him. Just be nice and professional with the rep and see what happens.

#84 of 101 Re: New Engine Expenses [raptor75] by jamesam1

Sep 22, 2011 (11:27 am)

Replying to: raptor75 (Sep 22, 2011 9:21 am)
I'll give it a try. Thanks!

#85 of 101 Re: Replacement engine [strongtree] by theresamg

Sep 22, 2011 (1:48 pm)

Replying to: strongtree (Jul 07, 2011 4:23 am)
Does replacement engines extend to UK purchasers also? I have just bought an RX8 2004, but the engine only goes if I push start it, despite buying a new starter motor. When the car starts they is no pressure in the engine, it drives but has no power. I suspect I have a lemon engine too!!!

#86 of 101 Mazda RX8 engine failure by danboyle1

Oct 15, 2011 (9:27 am)

I have a 2008 RX8 with 33,000 miles on it. My car wouldn't start. I got it to the Mazda dealer, and they said there was a blockage in the catalytic converter that didn't allow all the exhaust to get out and damaged the engine. Now they are going to provide me with a re-manufactured engine with new parts. It's under warranty. My concern is how the new re-manufactured engine will work. I'm wondering whether I should do a straight trade of my RX8 for a Mazda 3 (since I have about $15,000 left on the loan). I wanted to get anyone's opinion on what I should do and if they've ever had an RX8 with a new, re-manufactured engine.

#87 of 101 Re: Mazda RX8 engine failure [danboyle1] by raptor75

Oct 17, 2011 (7:11 am)

Replying to: danboyle1 (Oct 15, 2011 9:27 am)
The re-manufactured engines are a crap shoot, some are good some are not. Personally I would not worry about it because of the extended warranty
 
http://www.racingbeat.com/manuals/rx8warranty.pdf
 
You have a 100K warranty with the engine so if it does fail you are covered. If you want to change it out for other reasons, that is your call.
 
Good luck.

#88 of 101 Re: Mazda RX8 engine failure [danboyle1] by rottenrotary

Dec 30, 2011 (12:24 pm)

Replying to: danboyle1 (Oct 15, 2011 9:27 am)
You better get them to replace that catalytic converter too or it won’t be long before the same thing happens again. You cat is covered by the emissions warranty 8years/80k miles.
 
However, you may research putting in a replacement pipe. Racing Beat offers 2. I bought mine a while ago and it’s never given me an issue... just a few extra horses

Messages Page 9 of 11

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