sanparra2000

Hello...I just bought a 2004 XR-8 with 46000 miles. It is an automatic 4 speed transmission and onw by a lady before...I took it to Mazda for a compression test. They said it was low...6.2 to 6.7...Now, What does that mean?, do I need a new engine?...Is it possible to get these values up with a carbon clean up or by any other method?....
Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated...

Newbee

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

All your answers are in there, including how to interpret compression test results, and what you can do about it.

Jay719

haha was just about to post that link ^_^
...... beat me to tha punch

sanparra2000

I tried going and finding it with no luck...

Jay719

its really not that hard
here i will narrow it down for you, here is a picture it is on the 2nd page and if you are still having trouble use the search bar at the top and type in the words compression

sanparra2000

Thanks...I did the decarb procedure today and had the compression measured...they say it is at 6.6-6.7...How much life is left in this engine?...As I said before, I just purchased the car with 46k miles...I thought the engine would be in good shape. It is a 2004, I believe there is no warranty...Should I just sell the car?, what do you recommend?, Is there any way to move these numbers up?
By the way, thanks for all your help...

Khurram

You can't really move the numbers up. what you can do is, plan your trips properly the only issue you will have is hot start issues eventually. the only temporary cure for that is an upgraded starter from Mazda. Meanwhile save money for a rebuild.
I would honestly say try selling the car since its automatic its low powered anyways and 4 port engine is more expensive. Get a 6spd manual and make sure u get the compression prior purchasing.

Btw your engine is not dead yet, you can still drive it for sometime depends how well u look after it, it may last a few months

sanparra2000

A few months???... Wow...this was my first Mazda...Thanks for the advice...I will sell it...but, I the most probable thing is that I buy something else...

Thanks again...

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

FYI, "My first Mazda" implies that you are thinking that the same technology is spread across the entire make. This isn't true, the RX-8 is a very unique car. The 2006-2014 Miata shares some suspension and drivetrain components, but the engine isn't used in any other production car from any manufacturer. I recommend reframing your mind to think about specific models, not entire makes.

sanparra2000

You are saying not to judge the brand because of 1 model. (I will not judge the brand, you are right)..In the other hand, implying the XR-8 is a different animal leaves the quality issue open for interpretation. Why not just come out and say it?
I love the look, the sound of the engine, but a car with 46k miles (even that old) should have life left in it.
I am looking for a reason not to sell it since my wife likes it, but so far, not even the XR-8 die hard (or the dealer) have given me any. They do not say it but, I can read between the lines.
No intentions to hurt anyone with my opinion...just being honest.

Khurram

RX8 is indeed a diffrent animal more like a beast.
Because of the nature of the beast, one must research till their brain hurt before getting in an RX8

You should have gotten the compression test done before buying the car.
You should have checked out this forum and asked for advise before purchasing.
I understand how you feel and I too would be frustrated and angry if I was in your shoes.

RX8 can be as reliable as any other car. Mine has 251k kms on it and its an 04.. but now its running low on compression im arround 6.7 on front 6.4 on the rear.. the reason i said a few months is because my car has been on low compression for last 4 months and still going strong..just look after her save money for the rebuild.. or sell it and get a 6spd rx8..

ken-x8

Have you been doing periodic compression tests and tracking the results?

Ken

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I actually do If you read the new owner's thread, you will see where I detail out all the problems the engine has, and many of the problems of other areas of the car. It's a BIG list, and not one that I will just copy and paste everywhere.

The definition of "a car" in this context changes. A commuter car where reliability and gas mileage are the ONLY considerations for purchase? Sure. A high strung sports car? Not so much. Look at just about any true purpose built sports car out there, and look at the warranty. Most warranties end at 36,000 miles. Porsche, for example, doesn't over any warranty on any component longer than 36,000 miles.

The RX-8 may be dirt cheap for the amount of chassis performance you get, but that doesn't mean it isn't a high strung sports car.

Another way to look at it is:
Take a 1.3L piston powered commuter car and crank 232hp out of the engine. If it lasts 46,000 miles at the hands of someone who thinks it's a commuter car ... it would be a miracle.


Simply, the RX-8 isn't just any car. Both in what it gives you, and what it costs you.

Khurram

No, I just had my car tested 4 months ago due to hot start issue. compression came back low, I got upgradded starter and we have been ok since then.

May be I should get another test done and compare the numbers from 4 months ago to see where we at.

Lets see I will have another test done on Saturday lol

ken-x8

4 months might be a little soon for another test , but if you ever do get it re-tested the rate of compression loss would be interesting. No way of knowing if yours dropped all at once, or if it was just a gradual thing that became noticable when you passed the threshold for hot starts.

Ken

sanparra2000

Well, now , for some reason the car loss power and it could not get the revs up...I took it to Mazda and they tested it but there were no faults in the log or they could not make it behave this way again...They claim the drove it several times for 48 miles and it was fine.
I have a theories...they found something wrong from the first time I took it to them to check the compression...
Well, does anyone knows what a loss of power and inability to get the revs up might be? ...without a diagnose error or light/log showing up?, Why it seems to be ok now?

Thanks

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

The CEL light is officially "check engine light", however it would be more accurate to say that it is a "check emissions light", since all 125 codes are emissions codes, not engine codes.

There are a number of problems that could cause a loss of power. See the Engine Power Loss section in post #2 here, and see what description best fits what you are feeling, and the possible causes: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...causes-249529/