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Old 05-09-2009, 12:42 PM
  #6076  
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Used a funnel.

Coolant level appears to be fine.

If I take a step up to 5w30 I should wait until I get an oil change so its not mixed, right?
Old 05-09-2009, 12:48 PM
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That's debatable but wouldn't be a big deal.
I would just wait until the next oil change to upgrade.

Reason I asked about the funnel is because if you just pour straight down the filler neck, oil can run into the breather hose which connects to the accordion tube on the intake.
From there oil runs through your intake manifold and into your engine, but also sludges up the intake valves and causes them to stick.
This can also occur from over filling the oil too.

Best way to avoid this is to install a catch-can so the excessive oil can't enter the intake.
But if you want to verify this didn't happen with you, simply remove the accordion tube and see if there is oil in there.
Old 05-09-2009, 12:51 PM
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If I did over-fill, which is possible I guess, will the excess just burn up or is there something I should do (aside from checking the accordion tube) to prevent damage?
Old 05-09-2009, 12:57 PM
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If the over-fill is light, then it'll just burn off with no issues.
Over-fill too much and eventually your car might start stalling.

This happened with Steve (Vyndictive) in the following post.
Starting at post #30 you'll read about what was found and what we had to do to correct it.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/rpm-dropping-%3D-engine-stalling-162200/

My definition of it being badly over-filled is when you notice oil in your intake, then you also have oil past the throttle body.
You can stick a finger through the throttle body valve and feel for the oil.
Old 05-09-2009, 12:58 PM
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yay my lotek guage pod came today im so happy. now i only gotta wait for the dash piece to come and i can order gauges. i may need a bit of help once it comes time to cut and install gauges. im just excited for now

too bad i was working today i wish i couldve come down to nelsons and seen what its like before i take my car there.
Old 05-09-2009, 01:03 PM
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Low vaccuum readings
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Originally Posted by streetsrx8
OK guys a bit of a newbie question here. I did some searching but cannot find exactly what I am experiencing. I have a feeling this is a standard among all 8's

I am getting white/greyish smoke out of the exhaust for a while before the car warms up. Once its warm the smoke goes away. I have no CEL's and it seems to be running just as well as it always has since I got it.

I have put about 1500 miles on it since I picked it up and just checked the engine oil level on thursday. I was about half way between the two lines, so I ended up adding a little less then 3/4 of a quart of castrol GTX 5w-20 (was recommended by mazda tech). Once I added it the level went back up to the top line.

I just noticed the smoke yesterday when I left it running as I checked my mail. I honestly dont know if it has always done this. I just checked the oil level after grabbing lunch at work (let car get to regular temp, then cooled for 5 mins, then checked level) and the oil level might have dopped a little less then 1/4 between the two lines.

Did i use the wrong oil?

My brain is telling me that this is common among RX-8's because of how the rotary consumes oil, but I'm also a bit paranoid.
This is before it warms up? Remember the car runs open loop prior to hitting operating temp, meaning it runs rich until then. Very likely this is what causes the smoke on warm up. If it's any help my car does this too, I think it may be certain ecu flash dependant on how rich the car runs.
Old 05-09-2009, 01:05 PM
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Thanks for the link. The smoke isnt anywhere near as heavy as whats coming out of his, which is a good thing.
Old 05-09-2009, 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Danc
This is before it warms up? Remember the car runs open loop prior to hitting operating temp, meaning it runs rich until then. Very likely this is what causes the smoke on warm up. If it's any help my car does this too, I think it may be certain ecu flash dependant on how rich the car runs.

Yes, before its warm. Once the engine warms up it is non-existant.
Old 05-09-2009, 01:16 PM
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Danc is correct.
The secondary air pump runs for 60sec after you start the car.
If the smoke is gone after it warms up I wouldn't worry about it.
Old 05-09-2009, 01:30 PM
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Thanks guys. I'll definitely keep an eye on it though, and will upgrade to 5w-30 with my next oil change
Old 05-09-2009, 03:19 PM
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Excellent day at the track... some guy showed up with a GTR
Old 05-09-2009, 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by streetsrx8
Thanks guys. I'll definitely keep an eye on it though, and will upgrade to 5w-30 with my next oil change
Well... i had no smoke, or no otherwise indication that I had overfilled my oil. My Racing Beat oil pressure gauge didn't read anything different and oil temps were also normal...

I would be on the safe side and get a catch can ASAP.


I changed my oil and did my trans. fluid today with minimal difficulty. I overfilled it again... cause I can. (j/k)
Old 05-09-2009, 04:59 PM
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I'm betting an air pump issue. There might be a whine or other noise if your pump is dying. There was a thread about it the other day. Apparantly you can replace the motor on the pump pretty cheaply.

Track day was great. More people shoulda come out but I had a great time and Tony seemed to have a lot of fun too. Couple vids should be up on my youtube channel within the next half-hour or so.

http://www.youtube.com/rkel76

Thanks to John for the vids. The ones you guys took from the observer thing didn't come out too well. Tended to cut out pretty quick. But that's one shot of you in my car. The ones on the front straight are awesome. Finally get to hear my car.
Old 05-09-2009, 06:02 PM
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Well I just let it sit for about 45 mins after I got home from work (40 min drive all highway). When I started it the engine temp was a little bit above the lowest notch. No smoke or anything out the back. I popped the hood and listened for about 5 minutes until it was warm, didnt hear any whine or anything. Pretty typical engine noise.

Went for a bit of a spirited drive, came back, still no noise and no smoke. I'll check tomorrow morning before work, but I'm betting i spilled a little oil and its just burning through it.
Old 05-09-2009, 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by RK
I'm betting an air pump issue. There might be a whine or other noise if your pump is dying. There was a thread about it the other day. Apparantly you can replace the motor on the pump pretty cheaply.

Track day was great. More people shoulda come out but I had a great time and Tony seemed to have a lot of fun too. Couple vids should be up on my youtube channel within the next half-hour or so.

http://www.youtube.com/rkel76

Thanks to John for the vids. The ones you guys took from the observer thing didn't come out too well. Tended to cut out pretty quick. But that's one shot of you in my car. The ones on the front straight are awesome. Finally get to hear my car.
Thanks again for the ride Ryan...it was great. It was a bunch of fun. Too bad that Audi wouldn't get out of your way. I'll post the picts that I have hopefully tomorrow. Glad the vids came out. Did Amy get any of the 350z and Civic SI on the front stretch?
Old 05-09-2009, 09:53 PM
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Low vaccuum readings
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Thanks again Steve, I got the 8 back today and the BOV sounds GREEAAAAT!
Old 05-10-2009, 08:26 AM
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Yawn...

Morning everyone. Hope you guys had a good time at the track yesterday.


Now back out to the garage after breakfast to finish the coilovers. hehe
Old 05-10-2009, 08:51 AM
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Ryan - https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-sale-wanted-44/oem-mazda-speed-bumper-more-173068/
Old 05-10-2009, 10:03 AM
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Brian- From what we discussed earlier, here are some diagram layouts that I made showing the DPDT Center Off switch for DC motors to change polarity.

Akron/Cleveland 8 Owners.-dpdt-switch.jpg Akron/Cleveland 8 Owners.-dpdt-switch-2.jpg Akron/Cleveland 8 Owners.-dpdt-switch-3.jpg Akron/Cleveland 8 Owners.-switch-supply.jpg Akron/Cleveland 8 Owners.-switch-bottom.jpg

I used this for testing the APV motor on my valve troubleshooting video I'm making.
I took a couple quick clips from my video that will show the operation of the switch with a DC motor.
http://www.vimeo.com/4574942

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Last edited by Jon316G; 05-10-2009 at 10:27 AM.
Old 05-10-2009, 11:04 AM
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re: exhaust issue

Here is a crappy video from my blackberry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2u4kVRow7s

You can see it smoke for about 30 seconds then slowly tapers off. The engine has been cooling for about 4 hours when I just recorded this. I revved the engine a bit and stuck my head out the door, didnt notice any more smoke. Its hard to tell the color of it with the picture quality, but its a very feint grayish/white. I noticed a /[slight]/ smell of oil, but nothing overpowering.

I also recorded a short blurb from under the hood. The crappy audio has some high pitched whirl that isnt apparent in person. I'll chalk it up to it being a cell phone camera.

What do you guys think?
Old 05-10-2009, 11:10 AM
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Doesn't look like bad oil leak smoke...that would stick around longer and be thicker.
Old 05-10-2009, 11:16 AM
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streetsrx8- Doesn't look that bad.
I'll be up in Streetsboro for a family dinner.
If you like, I can swing by afterward and take a quick peek at it.
Old 05-10-2009, 11:22 AM
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Chances are I'm working late in youngstown tonight. Thanks for the offer though.

I might just be paranoid. Like I said yesterday it might have always done this and I just never noticed.
Old 05-10-2009, 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by streetsrx8
I might just be paranoid. Like I said yesterday it might have always done this and I just never noticed.
Like I mentioned before, if you want to "cure" your paranoid state, take off the accordion tube and see if oil is in there.
If there is, stick a finger through the throttle body valve and feel in there too.
If no oil is found, then you know its not that.
Old 05-10-2009, 11:41 AM
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Actually I think I'll take you up on that. I should be able to get back to streetsboro by 6pm. Is that too late for you? I would have you bring those wheels from steve too but I dont have the cash right now.

Fair warning, I have zero tools at my apartment because I have nowhere to store them!


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