I am considering buying a 2004 rx-8 with 30k miles on it. I don't know much about the rotary engines. What is the life expectancy of a rotarty engine under normal driving conditions in stock form? With V8's V6's they typically start to get tired after 100k miles and generally by 150-160k they are pretty wore out.

Also what about repairs... can the average shop work on these or will INeed to take it to a dealer should I need repairs?

 

I've read that they can last a really long time if properly maintained. I know Car and Driver mentioned that Rotary engines get better with age. This was apparant in their long-term test of the car when all their speed tests improved dramtically after 40k miles.

But I'd do a search on google and on here. I'm pretty sure that the question has been debated and answered.

 

Manual or automatic? If it's auto it's probably almost dead. The engines have to be used aggressivle every now and then and the autos just don't get the use they need to keep it running properly. If you have a manual, drive it normally and get it out and open it up a few times a month it will outlast almost any piston engine with basic maintenance ( regular oil changes and coolant change). It only has 3 moving parts. no timing belt or valves or rods or crankshaft or camshaft. nothing that can break. It just needs lubrication and be used enough to blow out carbon buildup. It's possible with not enough use the engine can have a apex seal stick or worse carbon lock the rotor so it cannot rotate.

dealers are about the worst place to take your car once you are out of warranty. a "Normal" auto repiar shop won't have a clue even though it is real simple. However there's enough shops around that have worked on rx7's since the late 70's that finding a shop that can work on it should not be too hard.

 

Thanks. It is a 6 speed manual. Thats what I was thinking with minmal parts to break it should be a good engine. Thanks again.

 

i've heard searching does wonders.

 

uh, ok.

 

I'm no mechanic but have owned three RX's, a '79 4-speed, a '93 twin turbo and my current '04 auto RX-8. I've had a few troubles with all - the '79 had tranny troubles, the same with the turbo, the used '04 has been great except a knock when real hot, but NONE have had a bit of engine trouble. Keep up with the oil, don't use syntheic or a blend, use Amoco or Mobile gas only and run the **** out of it every once in a while ( 1/wk). If rotary engines weren't the most realiable design, then why did Mercedes use two to set all the world endurance and speed records with their C- 111's? Best of luck with your RX !!

 

Ryan13b, what a crock of sh-t! What manual are looking in? The 1970 rx2 manual? I hope you are kidding...

 

Ryan13b, dont forget about the replacement interval of the Jarvis valve, can lead to a clogged orific and nobody wants that...

 

It's okay, I've replaced my wankel with a Mr. Fusion. Now all I have to worry about is accidently dropping used baby diapers into the food processor.

 

You have to reverse the motor mounts at the 11,375 mile interval, too.

 

synthetic works fine on rotary cars... its been proven.. as long as you dont use cheapo brands... btw to the thread starter... it wont last long if you wont search and read up.

 

.... yah... you gotta replace the exhuast tip at 60k miles so the car wont blow up... yah ok.

 

Im going to say this since nobody ever does.

DONT run the **** out of your engine until it is FULLY warmed up! I dont want to buy an RX-8 a few years from now that will need an engine rebuild. This is worse than not running the **** out of it.

 

Right! And don't forget to replace the **** sphincters at 30,000 miles

 

Thats not really true I have a friend who owns a 2005 Auto and hes running fine with i think it was 60K.... I also know other people who have Autos and there 8's are running fine! As long as auto drivers drive it hard in reg mode & Manu mode the car should last just as long as the manuals do..... remember this quote "9K a day keeps the carbon away" what my dealership told me when I traded in my auto and got a manual.....

 

The auto redlines at 7500rpm.

 

Considering that the oldest RX8 is only 3 years old right now, its a little difficult to say exactly what the life expectancy is.

 

Why Amoco or Mobil?

 

The reason this is not mentioned much is the RX-8 ECU limit's your RPM's on a cold engine.

 

now now guy's,,, you forgot to mention to change the swash plate on the variable displacement oil pump,,and its main relief and port relief valves need new o-rings in about 10000 miles. Oh and the load check valves are known to go in about 20000 miles.

 

Has anyone lubed their chassis bearings yet? My manual says to do this at 30k miles. Just wondering what mayhem will ensue if I don't do it... I was thinking of lubing them NOW since my car was an early-build '05 model (built in '04) and I bought it off the lot (new) in early '06. Don't want my chassis bearings to be jammed up with cromulence.

 

Q-tips also state "do not stick in ear canal".

....and we all know that no one uses them in their ears.....

 

I just swapped out my Johnson Rod at the 5,000 mile mark, and I've order some Carberendum cleaner from RB.

At 10,000 miles, I plan on doing a total engine overhaul, and I'll be installing titanium rotors and tungsten apex seals at that point.

That should get me to 15,000 miles.

 

+1 .... gas is gas... unless you go to some cheapo ghetto tiny private owned gas station.