Othniel242

I was driving on my way to the mechanic and I noticed that the water in my radiator was evaporating out. I always had this problem before but I figured that I just needed to change my reservoir cap. Eventually on my way to the mechanic , my car shut off while I was on the green light. I tried starting it again and it would not start. I got some water and filled the reservoir up with some water and when I tired starting the car it started. Does a Mazda rx8 have a particular mechanism to shut for the car when the coolant level gets too low ?

wannawankel

Yes and you might have coolant leaking somewhere - likely into the engine. Having any smoking issues out the tailpipe? how fast is the coolant depleting (time/miles)? Can you see it mist from the engine compartment if the coolant reservoir is leaking under pressure? Leaks under car?

Othniel242

There are no smoking issues from the tailpipe. The coolant leaks from the top of the reservoir cap. It also evaporates from the reservoir cap. It only does this when I'm stuck in traffic so the time for the coolant to deplete varies. The coolant reservoir is also under very high pressure when this occurs. I know my car needs to be looked at for the coolant issue but I was just concerned about any other issues what could have caused the car to shut down. I'm hoping that it was just a protective measure of the car due to low coolant instead of it shutting down due to engine damage.

wannawankel

Do not let a rotary overheat by loss of coolant. It might be a cap or might not be. If your car is older than 4 years and 40-80K miles then spend the money and replace the cap and reservoir at the same time. The reservoir will fail it's a matter of when.

Buy the appropriate cap firs tto see if this solves the problem ulness you can detect a hairline crack at the cap/reservoir fitment area.

wannawankel

see: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...YGLgHwwK1HRS1Q and https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...i5rqxMNNDZJjnA

wannawankel

Read the collective wisdom of the RX8club memebers on the subject at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...i5rqxMNNDZJjnA and specifically on coolant here: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...4/#post4533698