Hello! I have always come on here to read and troubleshoot, but I can't seem to figure this one out!

HISTORY: 2004 Automatic RX8 with almost 70K miles. Shipped from HI to CO last year. CEL on, code for rear O2 heater sensor. Replaced alternator 4 yrs ago as well as the recalled spark plugs at the dealer. Last weekend I drove him 200 miles. Started to overheat in heavy heavy traffic, so I turned on the heater and cooled it down. An hour later, car shut down on the freeway. Tank read 1/4 full, but I added gas (it sat for about 30 mins). Started right up and ran fine until...

PROBLEM: A few days ago while cruising through town during hot midday, we stalled at a stop light after sitting about 30 seconds. Turned back on and it ran fine until another stop light, where it did this two more times that day. At night it was fine and ran smoothly. Yesterday it was cold, about 55 degrees out. It consistently stalled after about 20-30 seconds at a light, unless I rev the engine, in which he'll stay running. It stalled about 10 times.

This is very frustrating, and I am really hoping to figure it out without dropping a few grand. I don't have a garage currently so I have limited opportunities to poke around in there.

Thanks!!
-kelsey

 

Try a can of 44K.

 

Thanks! went to grab some, will see how it works!

 

It would help if we knew the error codes that were stored in the PCM. If you don't have access to a code reader, most of the chain auto parts stores will read them for you. Take a pen and paper to write them down, then report back. This will help anyone diagnose your problem.
The suggestion above is good routine maintenance, but may not fix your problem.

PS, Why do women call their cars him? There are things that are masculine, but machines are feminine.

 

Welcome to Colorado.

How long have you owned your car for, and how many miles have you put on it in that time frame?

During that time frame, have you ever replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and ignition coils? Have you ever had the compression tested at a dealership?

Did you know that the RX-8 has a 100k mile, 8 year warranty from Mazda on the engine? This starts from the original purchase date. You will need to contact a local Mazda dealer and give them your VIN so that they can tell you if the car is still under warranty currently. If it is, and your car fails a compression test, you get a free replacement motor.

Also, there's a whole thread dedicated to new owners.
You should read it.

Here it is:

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/

If you want, there's a couple of us in the Mountain Region section of the forum who would be kind enough to look over your car and let you know what might be wrong with it, depending on where in Colorado you live.

BC.

 

Thank you for your replies!! I have had the car since 2007. It had about 26k when I bought it used at a dealership, with no warranty. From 2007 to 2011 It was in Hawaii, and I put about 30k miles on it. In the year that I have lived here in Colorado, I have kinda been stretching out my legs, and my commutes are much longer. I now have 67,500 miles on it. A few years ago, I had to take it into the dealer for new spark plugs, because the ones i had were recalled.
The error code i am receiving is p0037, which I was told is the rear O2 heater sensor.

The fuel cleaner didn't help at all, and my car is deteriorating. I finally realized it was out of my hands and took it to a rotary specialist down the way. They were very nice, but pretty much told me that it was compression loss, and that I would need a new engine. They're running a compression test and will get back to me ASAP.

They say 7500 for a new one. What now? : :,(

 

Call a dealership and find out if the original purchase date still means that you have some of the 8 year 100k mile engine warranty time left. If yes, go to a Mazda dealer, and get your free engine replacement.

And if you wind up needing a replacement motor, there are better choices for that much money, if not a lot less money, if the cost does have to come out of your pocket.

Also, you could check around the many salvage yards, and see if you can get a better one than your from there. Lots of these cars get totaled with good motors in them.

In addition, since you've owned the car for 40k miles, its time you replace the ignition coils, and spark plug wires.
There's probably a bunch of other things your car needs too, but get your compression test first, find out from Mazda if you have any engine warranty left second, and go from there.

BC.

 

It overheated and you never thought to address that? If a car overheats, it's for a reason, your engine is likely toast. It only takes one good overheating to destroy the factory coolant seals. A compression test or coolant system test would help. $7500.00 is crazy.

 

A bit of the same history....2005 103,000 miles...bought with 19000 miles in fall of '05 as a salvage (rear end collision - no harm to engine)....no warranty and Mazda's only option is an engine replacement....the car works fine in cool weather, but it's 100 in Phoenix now and the car is losing compression in the hot weather...have to rev the engine at stoplights to keep it from stalling...compression test at Mazda proved the loss=> "Baro 3.84V map reading Hot 2.4V Recommend engine replacement".....the rest of the car is still in really good shape. I've already replaced the wires, spark plugs, ignition coils (twice), new radiator hoses, after market cat converter....Mazda wants $6400 for replacement...also would replace the engine mounts that collapsed....beginning to think it's not worth it, but........thoughts? Anyone I should go to in Phoenix?

 

email charles@blackhaloracing.com. He is the man and he is local to you.