detectiveorange

hey all!
first post on the forum. just bought my 2007 rx-8 yesterday used with a little over 60,000 miles (i know that's a lot, but I looked at where the guy lived and I know that area. if you wanna get stuff done, you have to drive a long ways. easy to rack up miles) anyway, im already having problems, was hoping I could get some help. So yesterday when I test drove the car, it drove fine. but then again, i didn't know how to drive a rotary yet so I wasn't driving it how it should be driven. About half way home on the drive back with the car, I start driving it right (shifting no earlier than 6k RPMs) and I'm noticing a grinding problem in my 2nd gear. ONLY my 2nd gear. and it's only when im at high RPMs (im not sure the EXACT RPM the grinding starts, but I could find out if that would provide more help for a solution) hence why I didn't notice it while test driving. I know I should've taken it back to the dealer right away but I'm 18 and "holy crap, I own a friggin RX-8, this is awesome!!!!!" kicked in. that and I figured it could've just been my driving. Also, I notice that after driving for a while and the tranny starts to get to temperature, the "not so secret" compartment starts to get rather hot. so hot that it feels like a plastic dashboard that's been sitting in the sun for hours (i.e. it feels greasy and stuff). So I've just been shifting at low RPMs or if I need to accelerate from a stop I'll just skip 2nd gear. I've already found a few things wrong with the car since I got it. most of the interior lighting doesn't work, it only came with one key fob. and i got a really sketchy feeling from the dealer. they didn't fill up the tank, all my tires were about 1 PSI under pressure (the tire pressure light came on), they didn't wash it, and they wouldn't tell me about the previous owner. basically, do you think I got gypped? they warranty the engine and the tranny for 30 days or 3000 miles and I live in California where we have a 2 day "cool-down period." I just wanna get some opinions and suggestions on how big of a repair this gear grinding problem is gonna be. and whether it's something I could do myself or if it's a very intricate repair. Thanks in advance for any help given!

detectiveorange

oh and also the shifter **** twists. I don't think that's normal. but honestly, I kinda like it, it makes the awkward triangular shape feel not so awkward haha

MountainMike68

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you didn't get a compression test done before buying. You should do that asap at a Mazda dealership and return the car if necessary.

The heat in the center counsel is normal. The shifter **** is threaded, not pressed in. Just tighten it down till it lines up with the gear direction and won't twist anymore.

tpb7463

iTrader: (1)

I second the compression test--many members (including myself) would call it a requirement. Take it back to the dealer, address the gear grinding and get the test done. Let me make it clear: no test, no purchase. Get them to give you a copy of the results and post them here.

Second, the only "right way" to drive any car is by staying on the road--keep it that way. If you are really anxious to learn more about the car, read the giant RED new owners announcement at the root of this forum.

detectiveorange

Crap guys. Little bit of a problem. The dealership is closed for the holiday and don't open until Tuesday. And I'm not sure if the "cool down period" is 2 business days or 2 normal days. Also, the dealer doesn't have a service department. But, if an apex seal or side seal was blown, wouldn't the engine be running hot? O.o thanks for all the help btw! This is an awesome community

DarkBrew

Gear grinding can be as simple as needing a transmission fluid change.
Get some Redline MT90
Change the diff fluid at the same time

Do your research and have fun!

detectiveorange

Thank you for adding in the "have fun" part haha. I'm so stressed out about the fact that maybe I bought the wrong car and it's not gonna be worth it. There's only so much this "I own a freaking rx8 this is awesome" thought can hold off hahahaha. Thanks for all the help guys! Can I get some more info on the compression test and how screwed/not screwed I am based on the results of the test? Like how much money would be spent if the test shows bad results, etc.

DarkBrew

2007 is still covered under the 8 year power train warranty, yes?

Gather maintenance records if you can get them.

Do your research.

detectiveorange

can you elaborate on what a compression test is for?

detectiveorange

oh jeeze! I just remembered. it's both the engine AND the transmission that are covered under that warranty. so even if there is something wrong with the engine, the dealer's got it covered. wow, so much stress just got taken off of my shoulders haha

detectiveorange

also, just had to drive to a party and figure i'd get more specific on the RPMs. If I upshift into 2nd anywhere about 6k RPMs (give or take 500 or so) I get grinding.

ShowHBK

Don't know if this will help you at all or not... but I learned real fast in my 8 that first gear has almost nothing to give you and I shift into second around 12 MPH or just about 3500 RPM (city). Unless I am shifting wrong, I always have done this and have had smooth shifts in the city... highway shifting is a whole different story.

I would also agree with everyone else here that you should have got a Carfax report and a compression test done before buying. I got the carfax on mine 8 before buying and found that the short block (engine) had already been replaced 12k miles before I got the car. she was in great shape overall and the compression test was spot on according to the dealership.

detectiveorange

Ya I'm starting to realize that now. I was just so excited and honestly, I still am after all the stuff I'm finding out about the car. You get on an on-ramp and "oh darn, guess I gotta downshift to get up to freeway speed" and then you downshift to 3rd and it just puts the biggest grin on my face, makes it all worth it haha. Unfortunately the autoshops I go to are closed this weekend and today (Veterans Day) as well so I'm gonna take it into this place called Neptune Speed Garage RX tomorrow. They specialize in rotaries and rx8s as 7s and my buddy recommended them. I guess they're pretty well known on the west coast. So I'm gonna get a free inspection and a compression test and post all the results here. Again, thanks for all the help everyone! Couldn't be more thankful!

Stonzie

good luck!

ShowHBK

Free compression test? damn... mine was $185 at my local Mazda dealership

detectiveorange

Dealerships tend to be like that haha

kwindenburg

I'm having the same problem too. We bought our RX-8, a 2007 as well from a Jeep dealership. Long story short, they had to sub out the job to another shop who was certified in the RX powertrain. Somehow they forgot to fill up the transmission with fluid and there went our transmission. They had to rebuild it and since they did, 2nd gear has been grinding. It only happens when its first ran but after about 10 minutes of warming up, it stop doing it.

detectiveorange

I'm taking mine over to the shop here in a few. I'll let you know about the results once I leave

kwindenburg

Thanks!!!

detectiveorange

Okay guys! got back from the shop about an hour ago, got some updates

so it looks like the grinding noise is a synchros issue, which makes sense. So I'm going to have to get the synchros, bearings, and seals replace on my 2nd gear (and other stuff taken care of in the transmission if it needs it.) looks like it's gonna run me a little over $2k.

as for getting the engine compression tested, the guy said he'd rather not waste my money. The engine sounds fine, it pulls through all the gears, and it starts up almost right away. I didn't think there'd be any compression issues because of the way it's been driving, but it's nice to have his opinion about that. He's been working on rotary engines since he was a little kid and he's from Japan and so is his dad (his boss) so I'm gonna take his word for it. Of course, any added opinion from any of you guys is greatly appreciated though!

As for the dealer, they're being a bunch of do***ebags (I figured they would) because of the price. I'm getting that straightened out.

Also, if anyone knows what color the stock leads are for a 2007, that could help me know if they've been replaced or not. the leads are blue, and the coils look relatively new (they're the cleanest part in the engine bay)

Other than the transmission, everything about the car is in great condition (according to the mechanic) and I'm having a blast driving it, and that's what matters, right?

Thanks again everyone for all your help!

New Yorker

^ No compression test? I smell a rat.

detectiveorange

what do you mean? the guy had no reason to NOT give me a compression test except to save me money and save him time.

note: the mechanic is at neptune speed garage RX in Huntington Beach, California; and the dealer is Calimax P.O.S autocenter in Ontario California

New Yorker

I see. Well if they're well known as reputable rotary guys, then you're right, probably not necessary. I was thinking just ordinary mechanics; sorry about that.

detectiveorange

Ah! No, they don't even do piston engines in their shops haha. It's okay, there's a lot of information being flung around, easy to get confused haha