Not sure what to do about my car - figured this would be the best place for advice and not a dealership. car tech talk is way over my head so please excuse my lack of experience ahead of time - i just don't know where to start. And i tend to ramble too...

First off... maybe someone knows of a garage around the ottawa area (or even toronto?) who has experience working on rotary engines? I was once told about a guy around the cornwall area that rebuilds rx8's and does an amazing job. I'm sorry now i didn't ask for the name. I'll do some more searching in meantime. i think i did see a couple posts for good mechanics in toronto.


My '07 automatic bit the dust just after xmas. I was driving back to the city on the highway and 2hrs into my drive the acceleration died. I managed to pull over the car at nearest exit ramp and then it just quit. Dashboard lit up like xmas lights before pulling over and the engine light and battery light was blinking before its death. A strong burnt rubber smell too. I had it towed to nearest mazda dealership and they're telling me its the Catalytic converter and a IAC valve and that those things alone are approx $2900 and $600 respectively. When i quickly searched the forum here i found that someone else posted that the cat was about $2300 or so. It might need plugs and wires as well. I realize this problem is my fault. I don't drive the car that much as i work from home & other things going on in my life. Basically its my grocery getter. **** probably built up over time as i've had it about 10 years. Theres not much km on it... maybe 60,000?

The dealership doesn't want to fix it and i don't feel like spending $4,000+. In hindsight this was not the right car for me given my personal situation. its not worth much if i tried to sell it - thats another story of why that is. I did regular oil changes and had the plugs changed not long ago but not driving it regularly probably screwed it - not for a car like that. Otherwise the car has been good over the years.

I have NO idea what to do with it now. any constructive advice is welcomed. thanks. - S

 

Sometimes when the cat dies it can take the engine with it. I would have the dealer do a compression test, which will help determine if the engine is even worth saving.

As for replacing the cat, OEM parts are insanely expensive, here's an alternative: https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...zda/model/rx-8

I don't know what they are talking about in regards to an IAC valve. I thought even the automatics were drive-by-wire and therefore wouldn't have an iacv. The manuals certainly don't.

Anyway, get a compression test first. No sense spending money on the car if the engine is toast. If compression is good, replace the cat with an aftermarket unit or a known good used one (hard to find). Ask them wtf they are talking about regarding the iacv. If they do mean the throttle body, I can't imagine a used one costing more than $100 or so.

Finally, if the compression test comes back bad then the car needs an engine and you're looking at closer to 6k minimum. RX8s in good shape with blown motors go for $1000-2000 depending on condition. An automatic might command a little less, though.

Oh, finally, there's the question of why did the cat die in the first place? #1 cause is weak ignition. When was the last time you replaced your spark plugs? In these cars, the ignition coils and wires are also high wear items, and should have been replaced at least once by now with your mileage. If you haven't, plan on another $500+ for that... Failing to do so will just cause the next cat to die as well.

 

What's the experience around here with this cat? Will it be able to deal with the heat of the engine? In other words, what's the life expectancy of it?
Thanks.

 

Probably not GREAT but it's a budget cat..

Personally I am planning to use one of these: https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...7102/overview/ but I race my car so it needs to stand up to extra abuse.

 

thanks ZiG..i will print this out and ask them.

 

Hmmm... I wonder how that might compare to the tentatively proven HJS cat? There aren't many cats that can stand up to the RX-8's EGTs at all, much less on the track. My HJS is still holding up, but the doofus at the exhaust shop made the midpipe too long, when he welded it in, and the exhaust squeaks when it gets hot.

 

You definitely need a second opinion. If there is a good rotary mechanic in your area, that is your best bet. Otherwise, find another Mazda dealer and have them diagnose it.

I agree with the compression test. It will tell you if the engine is healthy enough to make anything else worth doing.

 

Good question, not sure. On paper it looks good.. metal core, minimum cell count.. I don't do track days, only autox, so my car isn't as hard on cats as yours would be. This one should be legal for STX class and keep the CEL off.

 

I have a 2005 RX 8 6 speed with 59,595 miles on it that has apparently decided it is tired of not being driven enough. So this morning with I got in it, the check engine light came on and I monied over to Mazda service. I just got a call back from them that the radiator is leaking and the therm is closed ($1,625) and two of the 3 intake cellinoids are bad ($1,000).

I have to figure out how to list the car on this site or see who will give me a decent offer and the car and I will part ways. I really don't drive enough to even justify a car.

 

Wow.....that's quite the list.

 

That sounds suspicious. All those things just up and failed? I would get a second opinion. I'm surprised they didn't mention anything about ignition coils.

To the original poster, same thing. There is no IAC valve on this car, so no to whatever the dealer was about to say. There are folks on this site who sell their used good condition catalytic converters. The GTA (Toronto) rotary club on Facebook may be able to help as well. That and ignition coils might be all you need. Would be a shame to part out a car that's in easily repairable shape. I can't promise it is, but might be!

Im both cases it would be good to know which exact codes are being thrown by the engine computer, this will tell a lot.

 

Some of that sounds suspicious.

It is pretty rare for the thermostat and radiator to fail at the same time.

The radiator and thermostat should cost under $125 for quality aftermarket parts. (RockAuto has name brand radiators ranging from $52 to $116 and thermostats ranging from $8 to $20.) Figure on $50 for genuine Mazda FL-22 coolant. Labor should not be more than 3 hours. So, $475 max for fixing the cooling system.

Having all 3 of the intake solenoids fail at the same time is also very rare. More than likely, they just need to be cleaned. At that mileage, they shouldn't need it yet, however.

I would really like to know the specific codes thrown by the ECU.

I think you are being taken for a ride.

 

I felt it wasn't as I was told, also. There has been no evidence of leaking and more often than not, when I took the car in for an oil change and/or tire rotation, there was always something. I usually agreed to whatever they were trying to scare me with only if it were FREE.

Since I normally have to make myself drive the car - just so it moves every 3 or 4 days, I sold it yesterday.