Mechanic Needed in Houston
#51
Registered
#52
What's upper folks. I have low compression in my motor. I've been told twice that I need a new motor. I've also read about some being rebuilt. Anybody know of any places out here in Houston? I live in Conroe and I work in Cypress, but I'll drive anywhere.
#54
#57
I see this post was old...but hoping I can still get some advice.
RIWWP suggested to look on this thread for some answers.
I keep getting mixed messages on what is wrong with my 05 SI
I am willing to work on it myself, but do not have the tools or know how to rebuild an engine, replace an intake manifold or whatever is wrong with it...
I have replaced plugs, coils, wires, O2 sensors-upstream n downstream, mass air intake sensor (has cold air induction on it), and have had the suggested cleaner ran through it.
RIWWP suggested to look on this thread for some answers.
I keep getting mixed messages on what is wrong with my 05 SI
I am willing to work on it myself, but do not have the tools or know how to rebuild an engine, replace an intake manifold or whatever is wrong with it...
I have replaced plugs, coils, wires, O2 sensors-upstream n downstream, mass air intake sensor (has cold air induction on it), and have had the suggested cleaner ran through it.
#58
Registered
Have you tested compression? What are the symptoms? One thing you can do is to join the next Houston RX meet. Ask whether someone can bring a compression tester to the meet too.
#59
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Katy/West Houston
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![TX](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/tx.jpg)
Sally, my 2006 Shinka has 118,000 miles (all mine) and is in need of brakes, suspension, and some other repairs/maintenance. Normally, I do the maintenance and tune-ups. Unfortunately, the last few years have been chaotic, first with my daughter being ill and dying last May and since October, I have been ill and am not physically able to do much of anything. Not sure how safe my oxygen tank would be in a shop setting anyway.
I have replaced the rotors and pads before, but just can't right now. One of the front rotors is warped and the pads are about done. I had Jeff Haas do the front brakes a few years ago and will never go through that again. I want to install all new rotors and pads this time. The TPMS system blinks frequently...but will turn solid and beep for low pressure.
I have never done suspension work on any vehicle, and this car needs it!! I probably need new motor mounts AGAIN too. I last replaced the plugs, coils, and wires at 100,000, before Ash died. I put in new visors and got new tires at 110,000.
I also need work on the driver window motor. It is "functioning" but will not completely put the window up or down. If I move the window about 2 inches, the motor will work again. I have never seen the motor, but if I had to guess, it has a gear missing some "teeth." Everything on this car is stock.
I used to add and change oil regularly; now I only add and have had someone else change it. I started driving again in late February and am driving a 40 mile round trip from Katy into 290/610...on the Managed lanes. Some days are $14, others under $7. I don't like it, but I like traffic less and don't have enough strength to hold the clutch in for long periods.
I have had Auto Zone and O'Reilly use their code readers several times in the last few years when the check engine light comes on. It isn't on all the time, comes and goes sporadically. I can't remember the exact code now, but it has to do with the Neutral Safety switch...When in neutral, sometimes it revs up to around 2,500 rpm then drops back to idle around 800 rpm.
I really don't want to go to a dealer, I am all out of Vaseline. I am also pissed I am asking about more than suspension. So...any one have a mechanic they would recommend or let work on their RX8? I took my daughter's 2007 Mazda 3 to a Christian Brothers for suspension work...took it back twice and gave up. That they said they know how to work on my car was meaningless after that.
...oh...what is the average life expectancy for the clutch? My Sally is still shifting just fine with the same clutch as when I left the dealer. Need a new windshield too...I just replaced it 18 months ago, but have a new crack today.
If ya'll have ready any of my old posts, you know this car rolled off the line on my 40th birthday, something I discovered nearly two years after I got her. This was my dream car in HS 30 years ago. It is the first car I have EVER bought new and paid off. The only thing missing from Sally is auto door locks, auto headlamps, and an AUX jack. LOVE this car. Best, most mechanically sound vehicle I have owned.
I probably don't need a rotary mechanic for this stuff, but have trust issues when it comes to Sally. I also wonder what the average cost should be for all of this work.
When will they be back in production? Sorry for the novel...and lack of Cliff notes. It is what it is. Thanks for reading...and any advice!
Jamie
I have replaced the rotors and pads before, but just can't right now. One of the front rotors is warped and the pads are about done. I had Jeff Haas do the front brakes a few years ago and will never go through that again. I want to install all new rotors and pads this time. The TPMS system blinks frequently...but will turn solid and beep for low pressure.
I have never done suspension work on any vehicle, and this car needs it!! I probably need new motor mounts AGAIN too. I last replaced the plugs, coils, and wires at 100,000, before Ash died. I put in new visors and got new tires at 110,000.
I also need work on the driver window motor. It is "functioning" but will not completely put the window up or down. If I move the window about 2 inches, the motor will work again. I have never seen the motor, but if I had to guess, it has a gear missing some "teeth." Everything on this car is stock.
I used to add and change oil regularly; now I only add and have had someone else change it. I started driving again in late February and am driving a 40 mile round trip from Katy into 290/610...on the Managed lanes. Some days are $14, others under $7. I don't like it, but I like traffic less and don't have enough strength to hold the clutch in for long periods.
I have had Auto Zone and O'Reilly use their code readers several times in the last few years when the check engine light comes on. It isn't on all the time, comes and goes sporadically. I can't remember the exact code now, but it has to do with the Neutral Safety switch...When in neutral, sometimes it revs up to around 2,500 rpm then drops back to idle around 800 rpm.
I really don't want to go to a dealer, I am all out of Vaseline. I am also pissed I am asking about more than suspension. So...any one have a mechanic they would recommend or let work on their RX8? I took my daughter's 2007 Mazda 3 to a Christian Brothers for suspension work...took it back twice and gave up. That they said they know how to work on my car was meaningless after that.
...oh...what is the average life expectancy for the clutch? My Sally is still shifting just fine with the same clutch as when I left the dealer. Need a new windshield too...I just replaced it 18 months ago, but have a new crack today.
If ya'll have ready any of my old posts, you know this car rolled off the line on my 40th birthday, something I discovered nearly two years after I got her. This was my dream car in HS 30 years ago. It is the first car I have EVER bought new and paid off. The only thing missing from Sally is auto door locks, auto headlamps, and an AUX jack. LOVE this car. Best, most mechanically sound vehicle I have owned.
I probably don't need a rotary mechanic for this stuff, but have trust issues when it comes to Sally. I also wonder what the average cost should be for all of this work.
When will they be back in production? Sorry for the novel...and lack of Cliff notes. It is what it is. Thanks for reading...and any advice!
Jamie
#61
Registered
Livea: Wow. A lot to do on your car. Nothing too complicated. I've done to my car pretty much everything you brought up... Unfortunately, I can't recommend any local shop. The one time I took my car somewhere to have work done, they did an awful job.
I can't offer up my time, though (not a lot of free time lately) but I'd be happy to guide your through it.
I can't offer up my time, though (not a lot of free time lately) but I'd be happy to guide your through it.
#62
![TX](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/tx.jpg)
Hey bros. I stumbled upon the forum a couple weeks ago and I figured it was worth a shot to try and get in touch with you guys. I got an '04 RX-8 with a Renesis 13B-MSP in it and about a month or so ago it started dying when idling. First time it happened I was in the middle of the street during traffic hour so you can imagine how scared I was. I had a couple people try to take a look at it and it basically came down to take it to a garage and see if they can look at it. Unfortunately every garage in my area does not even look at rotaries and the one that was supposed to be able to was trying just to get some diagnostic fees out of me before they send me to a dealership. I am on my last leg here and I really need to be able to use my car again. I was wondering if there was a specific place I should go to in the Houston area that is reasonable....
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
#65
When I disconnect the battery for any length of time, the car stalls at idle. The idiots who wrote the owner's manual forgot to include the CRITICAL info about how to reset the idle mode:
1) Start the engine and warm it up completely
2) Verify that all accessory loads are off (A/C, headlights, radio, rear defroster, blower fan, etc.)
3) Perform no-load racing of the engine at 2500-3500 RPM for more than 15 seconds
4) Then perform no-load racing of the engine between 4500-5000 RPM for more than 15 seconds
5) Idle the engine for more than 60 seconds after the cooling fan has stopped
6) Turn the ignition off
This is tricky, and I sometimes have to do it 2-3 times before I get it right and it sticks. But WTF, Mazda?
I had to dig around on the forums to find it, then I made sure to keep a copy in my glove box as well as emailing it to myself.
Hope this fixes it!
1) Start the engine and warm it up completely
2) Verify that all accessory loads are off (A/C, headlights, radio, rear defroster, blower fan, etc.)
3) Perform no-load racing of the engine at 2500-3500 RPM for more than 15 seconds
4) Then perform no-load racing of the engine between 4500-5000 RPM for more than 15 seconds
5) Idle the engine for more than 60 seconds after the cooling fan has stopped
6) Turn the ignition off
This is tricky, and I sometimes have to do it 2-3 times before I get it right and it sticks. But WTF, Mazda?
I had to dig around on the forums to find it, then I made sure to keep a copy in my glove box as well as emailing it to myself.
Hope this fixes it!
#66
I have owned my 04 RX8 since 2005 and have over 150,000 miles on it, and am in Houston. I have been unable to find a good RX8 mechanic here, however, Cliff's Auto Tech on 529 can do most of the work needed, and he knows something about Rotaries. Over the years he has saved me a lot of money fixing stuff that needed a nudge here and there.
However, in early February I was running down 10 at about 90 miles an hour headed out west and the car suddenly lost power, filled up with smoke, and began rattling like crazy. I pulled over and let it cool off and that was all she wrote. I never got it started again.
I had to towed to Cliff, who confirmed that I was now in the market for a new engine. I looked into Jap direct motors and the more I learned the worse it got. Cliff offered to install it, but he wouldn't guarantee any results.
After about 3 week of searching I found that Mazmax off 290 appears to be gone, their was a rebuild place in Austin that was ready to charge an arm and a leg, and really no good options.
Then I came across OJ Imports down by Padre Island. Omar has a website dedicated to RX8 and rotary rebuilds. However, I'd never heard of him and that is over 9 hours from Houston. After talking to him, he offered to send me a motor and take mine in exchange, but my mechanic was skeptical.
Since the car was busted and pulling my engine and sending it was going to be costly I decided to send him the car. Cost $200 to ship the car, $300 plus labor to ship the engine.
Well, Omar got the car and played with it for about three weeks. He must have spent at least 40 hours on it but in the end he called me and told me the good news. My car was ready for pickup.
He put a rebuilt engine in it, mostly scrapped mine, had to replace a bunch of worn out pieces and sent me the car back with a high ported engine. The total cost was quoted between $2500 and $3,500 and not to exceed $3,500.
True to his word, the car is back, cost less than $3,500 and so far it runs great. It comes with a one year warranty, which was far better than I could get on any Jap motor.
So for minor stuff, Cliff's, for a rebuild that you don't want to do yourself, or for advice, or to get a decent rebuild. OJImports.com
However, in early February I was running down 10 at about 90 miles an hour headed out west and the car suddenly lost power, filled up with smoke, and began rattling like crazy. I pulled over and let it cool off and that was all she wrote. I never got it started again.
I had to towed to Cliff, who confirmed that I was now in the market for a new engine. I looked into Jap direct motors and the more I learned the worse it got. Cliff offered to install it, but he wouldn't guarantee any results.
After about 3 week of searching I found that Mazmax off 290 appears to be gone, their was a rebuild place in Austin that was ready to charge an arm and a leg, and really no good options.
Then I came across OJ Imports down by Padre Island. Omar has a website dedicated to RX8 and rotary rebuilds. However, I'd never heard of him and that is over 9 hours from Houston. After talking to him, he offered to send me a motor and take mine in exchange, but my mechanic was skeptical.
Since the car was busted and pulling my engine and sending it was going to be costly I decided to send him the car. Cost $200 to ship the car, $300 plus labor to ship the engine.
Well, Omar got the car and played with it for about three weeks. He must have spent at least 40 hours on it but in the end he called me and told me the good news. My car was ready for pickup.
He put a rebuilt engine in it, mostly scrapped mine, had to replace a bunch of worn out pieces and sent me the car back with a high ported engine. The total cost was quoted between $2500 and $3,500 and not to exceed $3,500.
True to his word, the car is back, cost less than $3,500 and so far it runs great. It comes with a one year warranty, which was far better than I could get on any Jap motor.
So for minor stuff, Cliff's, for a rebuild that you don't want to do yourself, or for advice, or to get a decent rebuild. OJImports.com
Last edited by RRLoomis1; 03-24-2016 at 04:05 PM.
#67
I have a 2004 with low compression. So I'm looking for a good rebuild shop close to Houston. I'm not opposed to doing it myself with some help. I've done minor stuff on the rotary but nothing as extensive as a rebuild. I've done a lot more with pistons. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
#68
What i gathered and what i have researched; if you want a rebuilt or super low mileage motor ojimports is where to go.
A-Star transmission Specialist in Rosenberg will swap a motor or transmission with your provided parts.
A-Star transmission Specialist in Rosenberg will swap a motor or transmission with your provided parts.
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