Notices
RX-8 Discussion General discussion about the RX-8 that doesn't fit in one of the specialty forums.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Rotery Engine Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 09-12-2006 | 04:04 PM
  #1  
optimus-prime's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Rotery Engine Problem

Hey,
I have heard that the RX8's rotery engine dies at like 70-80,000 miles. Is that true, or just a myth?
Thanks in advance!
Old 09-12-2006 | 04:05 PM
  #2  
moRotorMotor's Avatar
Rotary eXperimental-8
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 0
From: Gander, Newfoundland, Canada
Oh boy. The word is out! It's true!!!
Old 09-12-2006 | 04:17 PM
  #3  
shakRpahX8's Avatar
Unknown
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
no it dies as soon as you hit the redline at 9,500 rpm

It doesn't just die
It blows up
Old 09-12-2006 | 04:29 PM
  #4  
SoFL_RX8's Avatar
Former Owner
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Miami, Florida


PUT ON YOUR FLAME SUIT BOY!!!!
Old 09-12-2006 | 04:32 PM
  #5  
mysql101's Avatar
⎝⏠⏝⏠⎠
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,625
Likes: 5
From: USA
Originally Posted by optimus-prime
Hey,
I have heard that the RX8's rotery engine dies at like 70-80,000 miles. Is that true, or just a myth?
Thanks in advance!
Thats optimistic. I heard 48,000 miles is when it dies.
Old 09-12-2006 | 04:36 PM
  #6  
expo1's Avatar
He's as bad as Can
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,309
Likes: 2
From: Manchester, NJ
That’s right, it takes about 70,000-80,000 miles for the leftover radiation in Hiroshima (where they build them) to melt the Apex seals.
Old 09-12-2006 | 04:39 PM
  #7  
zeblien's Avatar
general user
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
Are you all serious? I thought a car should last longer then that. Heck thats 1 year of driving for me. Wow oh man im upset. I guess i should sell it now. Should be easy with only 1k miles on it.


oh wow
Old 09-12-2006 | 04:52 PM
  #8  
IRLGuy's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Twentynine Palms, CA
That's too funny. A guy I know (Mitsubishi Eclipse owner) told my wife that I'll have to replace my engine at 50,000. I've seen enough high mileage Hyundai, Kia and Isuzu engines to know that even the lower end automaker's engines will go 150,000 miles with regular maintenance (routine oil changes, belts, etc.).
Old 09-12-2006 | 04:59 PM
  #9  
Red Devil's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 1
From: Misinformation Director - Evolv Chicago
Originally Posted by zeblien
Are you all serious? I thought a car should last longer then that. Heck thats 1 year of driving for me. Wow oh man im upset. I guess i should sell it now. Should be easy with only 1k miles on it.


oh wow
Well, your engine may only last 50K, but that doesn't account for the other TURBOCHARGED rotaries of the past that went well beyond 100K.
Old 09-12-2006 | 05:16 PM
  #10  
gummyAvenger's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX
My roommate has a Mazda MPV with over 300,000 miles on it. Original engine and transmission. He wrote a letter to Mazda saying how good a vehicle it is and they took him out for a photoshoot and put him in the front page of the magazine they send to all the Mazda dealers.
Old 09-12-2006 | 05:25 PM
  #11  
zeblien's Avatar
general user
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
I was joking actualy. I expect a long life out of my RX.. that is if I can get my pistons.
Old 09-12-2006 | 05:34 PM
  #12  
otherside's Avatar
I dont care...
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
From: Pleasantville
Originally Posted by zeblien
I was joking actualy. I expect a long life out of my RX.. that is if I can get my pistons.
You my friend, are a card...
Old 09-12-2006 | 05:37 PM
  #13  
zeblien's Avatar
general user
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
huh? sorry. I thought the thread started as a joke so I posted. What do you mean by a card lol
Old 09-12-2006 | 05:39 PM
  #14  
devious12's Avatar
Flame Thrower
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 873
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
Mine took a **** at 48k
Old 09-12-2006 | 05:47 PM
  #15  
SayNoToPistons's Avatar
Wheels, not rims!!
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,527
Likes: 68
From: LA
It dies when you slap on a flux capacitor.
Old 09-12-2006 | 05:50 PM
  #16  
zeblien's Avatar
general user
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
No no... someone put one on and he says it works ok. Hes in the 1400's now so when he gets back he will vouch for me. Or ask the Grape rotor lady she was involed the thread.
Old 09-12-2006 | 10:18 PM
  #17  
optimus-prime's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Yeah, so could someone give me a serious straight awnser? Im seriously looking into buying one, and i need some advice.
Old 09-12-2006 | 10:20 PM
  #18  
mysql101's Avatar
⎝⏠⏝⏠⎠
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,625
Likes: 5
From: USA
straight answer: You're asking a stupid question. The car is new, no one has 200,000 miles on it yet, but we know of some who have over 100,000 miles.

Why would an engine only last 80k miles anyway?
Old 09-12-2006 | 10:30 PM
  #19  
optimus-prime's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Cuz, i have heard that rotery engines have problems at that at least i know teh rx7 had problems like that. so i was wondering if they fixed it on the rx8
Old 09-12-2006 | 10:32 PM
  #20  
ken-x8's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
If you're going to worry about stuff like that, this isn't really the car for you.
Old 09-12-2006 | 10:43 PM
  #21  
RotoRocket's Avatar
Freely Radical
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by optimus-prime
Hey,
I have heard that the RX8's rotery engine dies at like 70-80,000 miles. Is that true, or just a myth?
Thanks in advance!
Technically, yes AND no.

It does die. And it sounds eerily bizarre, in its last throes, as the Apex Seals bust free at almost the 75,000 mile mark, firing their ceramic shrapnel throughout the motor and sideports.

At that point, you will have a defunct Rotary.

But here is the other side of the coin.

For those of us in the know, who bought a 9 pack of spare Apex Seals (you can get them in the 9 "value pack" size on eBay), you just pull the housing, swap in the new Apex Seals, and voila, you can easily milk an additional 90,000 miles out of the original motor, with increased fluid dynamics, fuel economy, and horsepower (about an additional 32 horsepower by consensus).

So go on eBay and grab those spare Apex Seals.

And fret no more.
Old 09-13-2006 | 12:33 AM
  #22  
ken-x8's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
You should definitely buy the 9-pack on ebay, not the official Mazda 3-pack.

Not only do you get three full sets, but since they're not genuine Mazda seals they don't have the 75,000 mile timer built in.
Old 09-13-2006 | 02:18 AM
  #23  
c41250n's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 0
From: Daly City Ca.
the engine dies whenever you the gas light comes on!!
Old 09-13-2006 | 02:51 AM
  #24  
NgoRX8's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,239
Likes: 4
From: CA, Rowland Hts.
^ i kinda agree with that. i also die when the gas light comes on.
Old 09-13-2006 | 03:53 AM
  #25  
Ike's Avatar
Ike
Blue By You
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,717
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
It dies at 80,000, you got it right!


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Rotery Engine Problem



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:18 PM.