Sorry for any ettiquite I break, this would be my first post here.

I just bought my 2004 RX-8 a little less than a month ago. Had a compression test before I bought it, was verbally told that it passed with flying colors. It had some problems passing Ontairo emissions test, (High NOx) but the dealer replaced the cats and it since passed.

I noticed recently that there is a weird noise from the engine, I thought it sounded like a bearing starting to go. When I got my oil changed the guy told me a long story about his friend going through 3 engines (all because of the rotor issue) and it made this exact noise before it died each time. He refered to this noise as a "knocking".

I'm still in Warranty until Oct 2012 for the extended engine deal so I'd like to find out if this is going to be an issue or not before then.

I did try searching, however describing this noise is something that is less than standardized. So I figured I'd attempt to let people more mechanically inclined listen and see if they can shine some light in regards to what to do next.

History:
The car spent it's life in Quebec/Ontario, for all of it's 91,200 km (56,600 mi)
It has not had an engine replacement that I am aware of.
It Idles smoothly and starts up quick both hot and cold.
It has power galore! (Though I've only driven this one.)
It's Red with Navigation.
It has had all recalls done.

That's all I can think of.

Here's the noise, probably not the clearest thing since it was just starting to get windy when I was recording this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jvM48jav3k

In addition, I will personally buy a beer for the first person to correctly identify this (or paypal you a beer if your nowhere near Ottawa).

 

Lol on the beer reward. Anyway, cannot really tell what sound it is coming from, but can i still get the beer anyway...i'm the first post...lol

 

Check the air conditioning belt idler pulley and see if that is what is making the noise.

 

I can't tell anything from that <shrug>
If you think something is wrong, take it to the dealer to have a look at and get another compression test.

 

it sounds like some pulley is not running right.

It's really hard to tell from the video.

and try not to believe what oil change guy told u. him, his friend, sometimes not even the people who replaced the engine from Mazda dealer knows what they're talking about.

 

Where in Ottawa are you located? I can at the very least take a listen to see if I can give you any advice but I'm far from being an expert. Unfortunately, we don't have any trusted rotary experts in town.

 

bearing or water pump..

 

I think at the very least .... the take away here is

Get it properly diagnosed and that it's not likely going to require a "engine replacement"

So all in all ... good news

 

I'm in Bayshore right near the 416/417 intersection. I'll PM you my contact info

Thanks to everyone else that replied, I will update when I get a chance to get it looked at (likely this weekend).

Andrew