Hi everyone,

I'm a former Jeep TJ and Subaru WRX owner who has just purchased a 2004 Mazda RX-8 here on the west coast of Canada. I'm super excited, as it was a great car to test drive! After being disappointed by driving an older Mustang GT I fell in love with the RX-8.

I read the 2 newbie threads, I've searched and read through dozens of other threads and feel I've done at least some due diligence but I'd like to ask people's advice here.

I realize I should have got a compression test in advance, but I was confused by some communication with the dealer who said there was a test. I also felt rushed because they had 2 others test drive it (one when i called) and while it COULD have been pressure tactics it didn't seem like it. The car has EXTENSIVE user maintenance records, and has only got 106k kms on the odometer. Hot start was fine (a few seconds total, felt the same as the cold start) and drives great. I need it by Monday as I start a new job and my wife uses the Jeep Cherokee we share, so good excuse to get a 'true' RWD sports car

On to my questions:

1) In the big book 'o' maintenance records (guy even had a spreadsheet summarizing it) there's a compression test all right from 2012, but it isn't from a rotary tech and lists a "low" compression diagnosis. The numbers are bizarre though, saying "OK" at 60 PSI and "low" at 40 PSI. From what I've read this is dismal, period, and pretty much toast engine. Results said qualifies for engine rebuild from Mazda with records

2) The next record is from a Mazda service department 2 weeks later with no mention of engine rebuild, and it's in to fix the "hard starts" problem that caused the previous service to try a test. This Mazda tech mentions nothing about compression, and says it's due to an Intake Manifold Tuning Valve being stuck open, a bad battery and starter. Starter and battery replaced

3) Since then, and 5+ years later, no sign of engine problems except some regular maintenance and work like replacing the coolant tank, plugs done last year, new tires, etc....

4) Late last year, a repair for "lack of power" found several ignition coils not firing, and a flooded engine. Looks like 3 ignition coils ("back 3 coils") were replaced and "test drive OK"

The dealer I bought from has a 7-day return policy and is a local longtime dealer who seem to want to make it right for their customers, along with a possible 2-year extended warranty I could get still.

My question: It seems like from what I've read if this repair shop had done a proper test for compression 4 years ago and it really was hugely bad, this engine would have gone boom by now, right? It drives great, and 4 years of inspections have only found ignition coils and coolant tank replacements and new plugs.

I love this car, and need to go to work on Monday, and really don't need more stress in my life right now (lots of other things for that the past 2 months!) so I'd really appreciate some advice!

I'm going to keep reading the forum threads, and plan to do some work myself coming up but I'll likely get someone else to do a full oil change/checkup soon even though i'm probably early.

Thanks in advance!

 

It would be a good idea to get a rotary specific compression test before your 7 days is up.
8s can run for years with bad compression, and it's a matter of time before it has to be replaced.
Bad coils cause misfires. Misfires kill catalytic converters, bad cats can kill engines.
A test will run around $150-200, rebuilds about $5k.
Think of it as a deductible on insurance.
If you have your heart set on it, you could get the extended warranty, but be sure you read it.
Many of them have specific language only covering things like head gaskets, timing belts, etc, which don't exist on rotaries.

 

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to look into the extended warranty today and find out whether it's inclusive or exclusive coverage. If I get the warranty, I imagine it's best not to run the compression test until after that so I avoid any "pre existing" problems with the warranty provider.

I might look into replacing the coils myself with the ones recommended on this board, along with new plugs, when I service it next.

 

X2 what BigCajun said. If you are going ahead with purchasing that car make sure you get the extended warranty and that it is iron clad on rebuilding/replacing the engine if required. That is if you don't want anymore stress in your life.

 

Thanks FCS and BigCajun! I talked to the Mazda service department where this RX-8 had been serviced for the past 8 years, and then at a completely different-ownership Mazda service department (including a guy who had an '8 for years) and they both had the same message: good to go, but keep up the maintenance.

I've added a 2-year extended warranty that covers rotary engines as well as the transmission, so I feel a lot safer. Still nervous, but it sure was fun driving around today!

 

Congratulations! Now let's see some pics of your new ride.

 

As requested, my first RX-8!

 

Looking good! I know you now feel all is ok, but you should still get a recent rotary-engine specific compression test to know where you stand with the most critical part of your car. That is what i would do in your situation.

Cheers !