- #18 of 50
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04 Rx-8 at stalls at random
by vkat
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Aug 12, 2008 (7:35 pm)
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I got my car about a year ago , used with 70k miles ... yea ok , get it out , everyone says WOW you got 70k out of your RX-8?? well i did find out it did have a new engine put in just before i got it , it now has about 85k miles and still has the same problem as when i bought it ... this is it... it runs just fine (except the intermate vibrating while stopped) and out of the blue it loses power .... rattles (like a BAD spark knock) at high RPM and if i stop while its doing this it will die and not start up for about 10-20 minutes ... Ive had it to several dealers with more the several different stores ... what ive found that helps is this ... use either 1/2 bottle of trans fluid per tank of gas or add some marvel mystery oil to the gas , and DO NOT use gas with any ethonal and ony use 93 otc...
Just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat as me . I love my car but cant find anyone to find out whats wrong with it , that is if there is anything wrong with it ... mabey thats just the way the car is 
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- #19 of 50
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Re: 04 Rx-8 at stalls at random [vkat]
by theplanet
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Aug 22, 2008 (3:37 am)
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Replying to: vkat (Aug 12, 2008 7:35 pm)
can u get it to a shop to check your fuel trims when it has it's fit?does it ever set a lite?
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- #20 of 50
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Re: 04 Rx-8 at stalls at random [theplanet]
by vkat
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Sep 16, 2008 (6:30 pm)
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Replying to: theplanet (Aug 22, 2008 3:37 am)
ive had it in the shop more times i can count and they cant find anything wrong with it ... since i started useing the trans fluid or marvel mystery oil ... as well as making sure it warmed up before driving (wasting tons of gas) and reving it to 4k before turning it off --- it has not died on me , however it still stumbles and studders when i stop (like it wants to die but hasnt) and its only did the rattle at high rmp a couple times . I have an after market warranty on it for 2 more years that cover almost everything on it but no one can find the problem ... the only light that has came on is coded the "secondary shutter was stuck" but that was only once and it would cost 1200 bucks to replace the intake (you cant just replace that valve)
If someone can offer any info that would be awesome , i just want my baby to run right 
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- #21 of 50
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Re: 04 Rx-8 at stalls at random [vkat]
by boof1
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Oct 16, 2008 (11:21 am)
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Replying to: vkat (Aug 12, 2008 7:35 pm)
I purchased my 04 RX8 in July 04 with 1,500 miles. I now have 189,000 miles. I was out of warranty within one year of owning the car. I have had the same starting issues like everyone else from day one. Back then Mazda never explained why the car wouldn't start, they would just fix it. Mazda would fix the stalling issues by changing out the plugs, starter and battery. As an Rx8 owner for 4 years now I obviously know how to get the car started in the event that my wife forgets and moves the car in the driveway. (How could she forget?) The big problem I have been having since about 120,000 miles is the stalling while driving. Regularly I drive without stopping at about 80 mph for 170 miles early in the morning when it is not hot out. Typically as soon as I get off at the ramp and arrive at the first red light, the car will stall out as I try to pull away when it turns green. If it doesn't stall it will at least bog as I get it up to speed. Mazda doesn't have a reasonable answer. The dealership said that the engine needs to be taken apart and cleaned because of carbon buildup in the engine. No guarantee though. Carbon buildup would be typical of a little old lady who drives only two and from the bank at low speeds. How could carbon be built up in a car that is going 80 mph for two straight hours? I spoke to a representative higher up than the dealership. He said He "called around" and that no one from Mazda had heard of an 04 RX8 having more than 85,000 miles. He said that they have no history with such a high mileage car to even know what the problem could be, if it's not carbon buildup. I have asked numerous mechanics. They all look at me like I'm crazy, or make some wacky diagnosis, that the problem is a throttle position sensor. Does anyone have an alternative answer? Other issues you low mileage guys can expect: The glue in the sun visors melting and coming apart. Tail lenses filling up with water. Driver/pasenger door locks freezing up. Major oil seal leaks front and rear. Gps toggle switches (I'm on my 3rd one). I realize this is a high mileage car, but it still is only 4 years old.
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- #22 of 50
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Re: 04 Rx-8 at stalls at random [boof1]
by fedlawman
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Oct 16, 2008 (4:28 pm)
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Replying to: boof1 (Oct 16, 2008 11:21 am)
Maybe the O2 sensor(s)? With that many miles, that's my first thought...
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- #23 of 50
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Re: 04 Rx-8 at stalls at random [fedlawman]
by boof1
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Oct 19, 2008 (10:02 am)
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Replying to: fedlawman (Oct 16, 2008 4:28 pm)
Yea O2 sensors were also changed, twice if I remember correctly. It's just insane that Mazda's only answer when all the changes do not work, is to change out the engine. That's fine if your under warranty, but who is going to pay for an engine swap, when there should be a reasonable fix. Crazy.
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- #24 of 50
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Re: RX8 Will Not Start [uhohboy]
by freddyrx8
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Oct 25, 2008 (7:14 pm)
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Replying to: uhohboy (Dec 29, 2007 1:51 pm)
Try changing the air filter. Mazda uses platinum spark plugs. replace them with (NGK laser iridium spark plugs) this should solve your problem. if the car still don't start check the fuel pump fuse! Open the hood to the right of the air filter is the fuse box there are two blue fuses on the bottom it's the one to the right.
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- #25 of 50
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by zoomzoomdlr
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Nov 03, 2008 (4:44 pm)
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I've sold several over the years, and it seems to be that the harder they're run, the btter the rotary motor does. They are certainly very sensitive, anyone remember MG, triumph, etc?? They need to be warmed fully when run, good gas is a must, and the rotary is a high RPM motor by design, the harder I've run mine, the better they've been. And I"m with the prior post, 3000+ RPM seems to help too
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- #26 of 50
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Re: 04 Rx-8 at stalls at random [boof1]
by freddyrx8
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Dec 22, 2008 (9:37 pm)
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Replying to: boof1 (Oct 16, 2008 11:21 am)
You might have to replace the IAC motor ( idle air control = DEALER ITEM) that's what keeps the idle steady when your stopped. After about 60.000 miles it starts to fail, also replace the coils and spark plugs. All that might cost you about $1200 at the dealer!
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- #27 of 50
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Drive It Like You Stole It For 200K Miles Plus
by ksmigel
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Dec 23, 2008 (9:16 am)
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Replying to: boof1 (Oct 16, 2008 11:21 am)
If you go over to the rx-8 owners club forums, you'll see that many people have 100k, 150k and even 200k on their rx-8s (that's a lot of miles for three and four yer old cars), with few or no problems.
The common element: They all bought manuals, and drive them hard and fast, the way the rotary was meant to be utilized.
The best thing you can do to a rotary is redline it. The worst thing you can do is lug it. If you're spending most of your time above 4000 RPM, your 8 will thank you.
Make sure you redline it a couple times a day.
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