hi guys,

I have a similar noise as described, I am hoping you could help shed some light on it.

here are my videos

UPDATE VIDEOS:

 

Check the arm on the SSV actuator (search youtube for SSV knock, you will see what I mean). Your sound seems a bit different than that typically but video sound can be tricky.

 

THREAD REVIVAL
So i figure i'd post here instead of starting a new thread etc. Just went to the shop that is rebuilding my motor, Turns out I need 2 new rotors, E-shaft, 1 housing and other stuff but to the point. My motor was a reman installed at 16.8k and ran up to 102k miles so about 85k miles on the reman. About 1.2k miles put on by me before failure. BOTH my rotors were out of spec, both spun bearings, and something even more strange, the bearing like friction welded itself to the E-shaft. Stephen, who is rebuilding the engine said he has never seen anything like that and he has rarely seen spun bearings. But the other rx8's that he is working on also have spun bearing. Method of failure for sure is unknown, but his best guess (best guess because the lack of vehicle maint. history and driving habits) he said is the oil we were running. To the best of my knowledge, the oil was always changed with 5w20 until i changed to 5w30. But by the time i got the car, i think it was too late and damage was already done. Its a shame but this is a fun project, costly too. I do plan on running 5w40 Rotella T6 with OCI at 3k. He however recommends the 5w20 Dino with OCI of 1.5k max, thinking the 8 doesn't handle the thicker oil well enough to use. Question for you 9krpm, You mentioned you ran M1 0w40, and compared to Houston that ran Dino, What OCI did you run on average, also how many miles on the pulled motor if you remember?

 

^^

Can you post close up photos of the bearings in question, to see if the contact surface has oil deposits. Not handling thick oil isn't really a thing, at operating temp even a 40 weight is usually thinner than a 5w20 at startup.



If it were a thing, you'd see a ton of bearing failures early in the engine's life. But, anyway, since we have a live subject, I'm curious to see more.

Thanks.

Back to 9k

 

Certainly will, however when i was there, my phone was dead but told him to hold the parts because i want to keep them. Little display lol. But he said he's never seen a bearing friction welded onto the E-Shaft, i obviously haven't seen that before as i don't tear down motors but i haven't even heard of that lol. I just wanna make sure all the old bearing material is removed since i will be using a good amount of new parts. Just ordered up 2 new housings and don't want anything touching them lol

 

Did anyone ever see a follow up to hear if it was truly their bearings? My 2nd engine, with only 22k miles seems like it's lost a bearing in the way it sounds. It all happened quickly, over a period of a month, and trust me, it's had the oil regularly topped off, checked, and changed. Damn shame, 77k miles and two engines! 5W-20 has got to be wrong for this engine!!

Listen to this:


Looks like I'll be pulling the engine this fall...hope the damage isn't too severe and the core can be rebuilt. Not trusting Mazda to do it this time.

 

This is similar to what mine sounded like, thought it was my ssv and many people said it was my ssv but the noise never went away, even after tinkering with it,not thinking much of it being a spun bearing... but boy was i wrong. Yes my ssv still makes a FAINT noise not like it did before. My noise was more pronounced than this is so don't assume the worst! I'm picking up my old parts tomorrow hopefully and i will post up the pictures, its hard to look at the pictures, its a huge ugly mess While the motor was out, i checked the ssv, mine was VERY clean, just light varnish, no gunk build up or anything. Had it vacuum tested to make sure that it would operate properly. Im assuming this engine is a reman? What are your OCI?

 

These will be the internals that came out of my Mazda Reman. The Reman went in sometime 2006 at 16.8k & pulled at 102k so about 85k miles and about 4 other owners.... so this poor thing was abused before me!

E-Shaft: This rear rotor bearing, came out of the rotor and i think it friction welded itself to the shaft.








E-Shaft
Note: Bearing is stuck on the e-shaft pretty darn well!












ROTOR HOUSING (This one was where the rotor bearing pulled out and stuck itself on the shaft. Other housing is actually good condition)



Holy Chipping away!! Looks Re-useable!


Yup.. Pretty bad!


Also, Cracks on the plug hole, this is done!!


Chatter Chatter Chatter Chatter!




ROTORS:

 

YIKES! So looks like all you'll be able to reuse is the other rotor/housing? Maybe polish the bearing surface of the damaged rotor at best?

If that's how mine looks after I tear it down, finding I'll have to buy new/refurb shaft/rotor/housing to rebuild, I'd simply sell the chassis! I love my RX-8 when it runs good, but having to buy fresh parts + rebuild kit would be more than mine is worth! @77k miles, I'm still tempted to tow it to Mazda and say "Yeah, I want a third free engine please...no excuses "

 

No, i bought all new parts except plates and rotors. NEW: housings,shaft,oem apex seals and springs, oil pan, oil pickup etc. I want this engine to be strong and last.

The reason myself and others built the car with new parts... not the money, or what i can sell it for in a year or the dollar value. I built this for the enjoyment, the excitment factor it gives me. I honestly dont care what the car cost because i enjoy every minute driving it and im not even done restoring/building it. This car is my get away, stress reliever early graduation gift to myself etc.. so yeah, i will keep rebuilding Motor, Transmission, whatever it needs for as long as I possibly can!