Hello,

I have just purchased a 2004 Mazda Rx-8 about 6 months ago from a private seller.
Unfortunately though I have run into some serious problems.

I had been having the following symptoms with my car in the past few months-

- Trouble/laggy starting
- Seems over encumbered and bogged down at times
- Terrible gas mileage


I took it to the dealer where they performed a compression test and it failed.

They say I need the seals fixed, however, they also said that I should get a new engine completely because getting the seals fixed 'never solves the problem for long'.

They are quoting me at just over $5,500 with labor for the new engine.
And I am just out of warranty.

Also worth noting is the fact that this is actually not a completely new engine, but rather a refurbished one that they only guarantee for 12m/12k.

So I am asking, what should I do (new engine, just get seals fixed, or anything else)?

Also, it would be greatly helpful if anyone could help me find a mechanic that will work on Rotaries aside from the dealer.
I live in the Harrisburg, PA area, however I would be willing to travel up to 150 miles if there was someone who could do good work and get me a good price for the parts/work.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you

 

there are many good builders that can overhaul your motor better than a reman.

just to name a few
speed1 in allentown pa(close to you)
mazmart
jpr
i think ray at bhr does customer rebuilds
ect

 

Please delete your other thread. It is poor forum ettiquette to post in multiple places. We see threads as they are posted, so repeats will just get you scolded


Unfortunately, you don't have many options, and none of them are cheap. Fortunately, the dealer's option is the worst case, not the best case, as it's pricey and just gets you a reman engine.

If you indeed opt for replacing the engine, the cheapest, but most risky, option is to find a wrecked RX-8 and buy the engine from that. Can run you from $750 to $2,500, depending on the engine life and condition, known history, etc...

Your next cheapest replacement option is Mazmart, a forum vendor here. They can sell you a GOOD quality reman engine for around $3,500 (not sure if that includes the core charge or not, since they would want you to send them your current engine). The downside of this option is that you usually still have to either pay someone to do the labor, or do it yourself.


Then there are rebuild options. Pull your engine and send it out for rebuild. This CAN be cheaper, but it also CAN be easily more expensive, and you simply won't know what can be reused until they tear down the engine.

 

I have deleted the other thread

And I am going to check out all of the options posted so far.

Keep the suggestions/help coming

 

you deleted it right when i wrote a paragraph and was about to post it.

Anyway ... your best bet is getting a rebuild done outside Mazda.

These guys build my engines http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wankel...22468387814742

Give them a call, ask for Lui, tell em Dre sent you (discount )

 

I'm trying to tell if my 8 is having the same issue because just yesterday it took a couple tries to start it, it wasn't a cold start though. I've owned it for about 5 months and I bought it from a Ford dealership and got an extended warranty because my usual mechanic knew nothing about this car. A cold start always sounds rough to me but they insist on telling me that its the rotary engine and it'll start better in the warmer months. Well now its may and its the same. my gas mileage has always been poor in the city especially getting about 10mpg. I'm not going crazy with the throttle either. Does this sound like the same issue?

 

Get a compression test at Mazda, Ford will be pretty useless at anything rotary. What year is the car? You have 8 years/100,000miles engine core warranty from Mazda

 

Rotary Resurrection offers a very affordable rebuild service with your core. Someone like Dave @ Speed1 could pull your existing engine, get it crated and shipped, and re-install once RR is done.

 

Mine is a 2004 RX8 manual with 89k, do you think ford will pay for my car to be serviced at mazda because I have an extended warranty through ford.