My 2006 MT Sport is joining the ranks of those with heart transplants. Just today, North Park Mazda ordered a new engine as a warrenty replacement after she failed the TSB. So far, Mazda thus far has not given me the results of the tests, as I am outta town.

The proplems I was encounting were not super obvious initally. It started with a general feeling of my car being slower, shortly after pulling the plug on the life support (premix). Then last friday, I had 3 different occurances of stalling out at traffic lights, and having difficulties starting after the stalls.

90% of the time, I drive it like I stole it, including 3-5 redlines a day.

Additionally, I purchased the car used from carmax with about 30k on the odometer

 

I had one stall out during a rain storm started back up just fine though, its the only time its happened to me.. very strange.

 

I think there is a disproportionately large number of 04 owners here.

 

was that a funny?

 

the key word here is "should"

but it isn't allways so.

 

Honestly I think we just don't know enough about how this engine works, I don't think anyone does. my friend had an N/A fc had 200k on the clock never had a problem. granted its a different engine but its still a rotary. We shouldn't be seeing these types of problems on an na rotary I would expect this from FI.

From what I know factory maintenance schedules are generally garbage. so i think with a little times and research we can see these engines outlive the bodies.

I'm thinking it will have something to do with more durable side seals and apex seals...

 

Does anyone know if there is a way to get the old oil out of the oil cooler when doing an oil change? I have always just left it in there

 

2004 MT My First engine lasted 98,000 Miles! Just swapped it out last week. The joy of breaking in a new engine under 5k RPM.....

 

94K 05Ti Gray. engine replaced.

 

yes remove the bumper, unbolt the oil cooler lines (27mm I believe), replace all 4 crush washers on the banjo connection. remove the oil cooler let it drain out for 10 minutes moving it around randomly. somehow clear the oil out of the lines... bolt everything back up torque to spec. maybe 50 ft pounds I forget.

Or you could just live with the extra quart in your system...

If you do your oil changes every 3k this shouldn't matter much. I wouldn't even bother with it.

 

From what I have observed, and please tell me if anyone disagrees, the overwhelming majority of failed motors were MOSTLY:


1) From the first model year of production (produced in 2003-2004), being modelyear 2004 cars.


2) Automatics (automatics have one oil cooler rather than the two oil coolers thatthe manual transmission RX8s have).


3) Were ran in very hot climates, such as Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Texas, etc.


And even then, we have no idea what % of 2004 auto RX8s suffered failed motors - it may be statistically higher than other years and manual transmission equipped cars, but it still might be low as a % of total 2004s sold.


Does anyone NOT agree with this as a general impression based on everything we've seen/heard?

 

NEW THREADS: Series 1 owners, please vote!!!

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/series-1-new-engines-everyone-please-vote-204862/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/series-1-new-engines-part-2-please-vote-204863/

 

All of the years have been affected for the most part, its just because the 04's have higher mileages that they have a higher percentage. But our local member tech has done 2005 and 2006's as well recently now that the mileage is getting up there. I know our largest dealer (one of 4) has done in the 300 range, that's a lot for one city. Although I do think heat plays a big role. But I also believe many who are not "in the know" are driving 8's with low compression and do not even know it.


The increase in the OMP rate may have helped (not me) but it was a band aid at best. I think they licked it on the series II though.

 

Made a couple new threads which will address some of your questions hopefully. 2004's seemed to have the highest failure rate as well as automatics. Analyzing the locational differences would be very difficult, though it could be another significant factor. The model year and transmission type seem to be the most important factors though.

 

You nailed it, dude. Finally, a voice of reason. Thank you. Never thought I'd see it on this forum.

 

From the above only #1 applies. I have a MT and the car has spent it's life in the northeast and PacNW.

At this point I think it's a design flaw that will affect all series I engines. I have 12K on my 2nd engine, dyno'd it a year and a half ago posted higher numbers against other RX8s at a tuning day and recently did a compression test. Results 5.1 lowest face.

Any I premix'd 4oz/gal. from day 1 of the second motor.

I don't know what to think at this point.

 

how do i no if i have a bad motor... turbo'ed rx8 and well it ran fine for the fist 4 days then all of a sudden it started ideling really heavy and like shakes heavily at idle.. and at every shak u can hear a sound which almost sounds like it could be a vaccume leak.. but idk.. and my cel was flashing... flashes 8 times and it takes about 5-10 cranks till it starts up ..n i ran a code reader n it gave me 2 codes..1 for missfire and the second for the intake manifold...help me...=( oh and its a rebuilt 84k miles 2004 allot of ppl keep telling me since its runing on emanage it could be a ecu over rite dont no tho

 

I feel you man, I am on my third motor despite my OCD level maintenance and precautions. I have ran no cat, BHR ignition, SOHN, and premixed from day on on this motor and I suspect it's dieing (gut feeling). I having my injectors cleaned soon and then I will compression test, then dyno and we will see how she is doing.


It could be a multitude of issues, you need a Cobb AP to tune it correctly. But a compression test is the only way to know how the motor is doing for sure.

 

2004, 66,000 miles on original engine. Running great! I use Castrol Syntec at OEM specs. Not a single problem with the engine...yet.

 

Yeah these engines are weird. My first one only lasted 22,000 miles and my second lasted 74,000 miles. I am on 20,000 on the third engine.

 

well they stop making cobb ap but i mean wat would u suggest doing first ???compression test.... and if it is the motor i prolly cant get the recall u think ??? since its a rebuilt title and it has 84k miles on a 04

 

You can still get the Cobb AP at www.mazdamaniac.com and used. If you want the pea ce fo mind you can go to the dealer and pay for a compression test, if the engine test fine then you know you have other issues.

 

There is absolutely no way a dealer will warranty a turbo'd motor. They can still run a compression test and that will help indicate the health of the engine.

Have the ignition coils and plugs been replaced?

 

Plus if it has a rebuilt title the warranty is void.

 

That's crazy. How did you personally know your motors went? Was it a an epic failure or was it the more subtle issues, such as difficult starts? Mine, ironically, just started occasionally giving me starting issues despite an all new igntion system.