New Owner SAFE Question and Answer thread
#776
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Since it is possible that this is actually a very tiny leak from a hose only when pressurized and driving, or a faint loss through the overflow, you should verify if you do have a cooling seal failure or not. Two methods should be used:
1) Contact Blackstone Labs, have them send you a sample kit, pull an oil sample and send it to them for testing ($25). If you have coolant in your oil you have a coolant seal failure.
2) Do a coolant fluid test for combustion gasses (often free, or under $40 at most quick lube or quick repair shops). If you have combustion gasses present in the coolant, you have a coolant seal failure.
You may only have one, you may have both. If you have neither, you probably do not have a coolant seal failure. It is technically possible to have neither show a failure and still have a failure, but I have not actually seen this from anyone.
1) Contact Blackstone Labs, have them send you a sample kit, pull an oil sample and send it to them for testing ($25). If you have coolant in your oil you have a coolant seal failure.
2) Do a coolant fluid test for combustion gasses (often free, or under $40 at most quick lube or quick repair shops). If you have combustion gasses present in the coolant, you have a coolant seal failure.
You may only have one, you may have both. If you have neither, you probably do not have a coolant seal failure. It is technically possible to have neither show a failure and still have a failure, but I have not actually seen this from anyone.
The first time I noticed it was when I was on holidays over the xmas break and it sat over night and all the next day, when I went to start it later that day it sounded really rough but cleaned up pretty quick, around 4 or 5 seconds, the exhaust smelt like coolant, so that's why I think it's a crack or warped housing. Do the RX8 housings suffer from corrosion like the old RX4 housings ?
I have 2 options, sell the car .. or buy a full rebuild kit + 2 rotor housings and rebuild it, my wife wants the first option, obviously I want the other
#777
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The only corrosion problem is if you are leaking coolant from a failed coolant seal. You also wont be able to tell either test by eye unless the engine is far gone. A cracked block is even more terminal than a failed coolant seal, since it also renders that seal plus others ineffective. A cracked block would have you leaking oil and water on the ground while running. Do a search for what happens when someone cracks a block by driving through high water for pics. Im on my phone at the moment.
All your signs point toward coolant seal failure, possibly from a warped housing.
All your signs point toward coolant seal failure, possibly from a warped housing.
#779
weeeeeeeeee
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Atkins or Mazmart ... do the oil and coolant test ... Amsoil does the oil test too for about the same price as Blackstone (although I believe Blackstone has a little more experience around potential rotary contaminants -- not that matters in this case you're just looking for coolant).
#780
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Atkins or Mazmart ... do the oil and coolant test ... Amsoil does the oil test too for about the same price as Blackstone (although I believe Blackstone has a little more experience around potential rotary contaminants -- not that matters in this case you're just looking for coolant).
#783
Super Moderator
Yep got it..
I put all this up on the Australian/NZ Section for a reason, seeing Brisbane is the other side of the country for me ..
Australia/New Zealand Forum - RX8Club.com
A local posted this in the Queensland Thread...sounds OK to me.
https://www.rx8club.com/australia-ne...nsland-237751/
I put all this up on the Australian/NZ Section for a reason, seeing Brisbane is the other side of the country for me ..
Australia/New Zealand Forum - RX8Club.com
A local posted this in the Queensland Thread...sounds OK to me.
https://www.rx8club.com/australia-ne...nsland-237751/
#785
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RIWWP, you may wish to include in useful links, ASH8's fine list of TSBs:
https://www.rx8club.com/trouble-shoo...4/#post3258090
and links to the Factory Service Manual:
RotaryHeads.com - Mazda RX-8 PDF Technical Manuals FE3S
Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
https://www.rx8club.com/trouble-shoo...4/#post3258090
and links to the Factory Service Manual:
RotaryHeads.com - Mazda RX-8 PDF Technical Manuals FE3S
Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
#786
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RIWWP, you may wish to include in useful links, ASH8's fine list of TSBs:
https://www.rx8club.com/trouble-shoo...4/#post3258090
and links to the Factory Service Manual:
RotaryHeads.com - Mazda RX-8 PDF Technical Manuals FE3S
Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
https://www.rx8club.com/trouble-shoo...4/#post3258090
and links to the Factory Service Manual:
RotaryHeads.com - Mazda RX-8 PDF Technical Manuals FE3S
Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
#787
Best welcome intro thread ever!
I've signed up to maybe 6 other forums in the past and this thread has been by far the most informative I have ever read before purchasing my car. Tomorrow, hopefully, I will be the very happy owner of an 05' and I cannot wait to drive it home! Thanks again for all the info. This is coming from a first time rotary owner so definitely greatly appreciated.
#788
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Updated post #9 regarding decarbing as a result of my testing (thread here: https://www.rx8club.com/tech-garage-...r-pics-241867/)
Also added a line to the "why are we so hard on newbies" section with a link to that disaster of a thread yesterday.
Also added a line to the "why are we so hard on newbies" section with a link to that disaster of a thread yesterday.
#789
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Updated post #9 regarding decarbing as a result of my testing (thread here: https://www.rx8club.com/tech-garage-...r-pics-241867/)
Also added a line to the "why are we so hard on newbies" section with a link to that disaster of a thread yesterday.
Also added a line to the "why are we so hard on newbies" section with a link to that disaster of a thread yesterday.
Mike, I read the decarbing thread the other day. Nice!
Missed the other disaster thread, must have been still working........guess you have me curious now. I must go visit that link to the thread.
Okay, I'm back now from reading it. Jeez! (lol)
I wish I would've seen it real time before it was closed, I would've posted the Waambulance!
Sorry for taking up this valuable thread with this post.
Last edited by Mazurfer; 01-27-2013 at 04:27 PM.
#790
Legend In My Own Mind
When do we get a link to this thread directly on the main page? Or maybe a new owners section with all of the threads in RIWWP's sig along with other related threads.
#793
Well....Where do I start?
Ive read all the infomation provided, and what a way to put someone off. I a ment to be going to view/buy a 06 plate 232 model rx8 with 36k for £3500. After reading this, I feel if I buy one it is inevitable it will blow up in some way or another. I understood there maybe problems occouring with rx8s getting to the 70k mark, which is why I held out for a car with less than 40k. But now im thinking £3500 seems a steel, surely somthing going to be wrong with it.
What do people suggest?
I see 100s of rx8s where I live, surely all these people dont have all these worrys and hassles?
Ive read all the infomation provided, and what a way to put someone off. I a ment to be going to view/buy a 06 plate 232 model rx8 with 36k for £3500. After reading this, I feel if I buy one it is inevitable it will blow up in some way or another. I understood there maybe problems occouring with rx8s getting to the 70k mark, which is why I held out for a car with less than 40k. But now im thinking £3500 seems a steel, surely somthing going to be wrong with it.
What do people suggest?
I see 100s of rx8s where I live, surely all these people dont have all these worrys and hassles?
#795
ok, maybe not 100s, but for a town this small you can garentee seeing a few on a single trip.
Also, I only use my current car (Hyundai Coupe) to travel to work and back less than 2 miles away, and maybe somewhere on a night, but being told the rx8 is no use for short journeys. My car temp needel doesnt even budge before I get to work.
Also, I only use my current car (Hyundai Coupe) to travel to work and back less than 2 miles away, and maybe somewhere on a night, but being told the rx8 is no use for short journeys. My car temp needel doesnt even budge before I get to work.
#796
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Well....Where do I start?
Ive read all the infomation provided, and what a way to put someone off. I a ment to be going to view/buy a 06 plate 232 model rx8 with 36k for £3500. After reading this, I feel if I buy one it is inevitable it will blow up in some way or another. I understood there maybe problems occouring with rx8s getting to the 70k mark, which is why I held out for a car with less than 40k. But now im thinking £3500 seems a steel, surely somthing going to be wrong with it.
What do people suggest?
I see 100s of rx8s where I live, surely all these people dont have all these worrys and hassles?
Ive read all the infomation provided, and what a way to put someone off. I a ment to be going to view/buy a 06 plate 232 model rx8 with 36k for £3500. After reading this, I feel if I buy one it is inevitable it will blow up in some way or another. I understood there maybe problems occouring with rx8s getting to the 70k mark, which is why I held out for a car with less than 40k. But now im thinking £3500 seems a steel, surely somthing going to be wrong with it.
What do people suggest?
I see 100s of rx8s where I live, surely all these people dont have all these worrys and hassles?
However, rotaries DO tend to simply wear out faster than piston engines. A large part of that is the difficulties with lubrication, as well as squeezing 242hp/232bhp from a 1.3L engine. If you pushed that much power through a 1.3L piston engine, it would probably last far far less time than a rotary.
So in general, if you aren't comfortable with that possibility, and especially if you can't get the engine hot EVERY time you drive it, then this is certainly NOT the car for you. I'd recommend a piston powered car for you.
#797
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2010 power help
2010 Rx8 tuning options (please help)
I am looking for any help....
I have a 2010 rx8 that i recently installed the injen intake on. I am looking for the next common sense step in getting a little more power why not having to tear the car completely apart.
I read thru the threads pertaining to 2009+ power mods without gaining a clear path. Most seem directed to cat removal or other exhaust mods, is this my only option?
I am looking for any help....
I have a 2010 rx8 that i recently installed the injen intake on. I am looking for the next common sense step in getting a little more power why not having to tear the car completely apart.
I read thru the threads pertaining to 2009+ power mods without gaining a clear path. Most seem directed to cat removal or other exhaust mods, is this my only option?
#799
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