I just bought a 2004 RX-8 GT with 69,700 miles and its a automatic. On the way home from the dealer the coolant light kept coming on and off. I got home checked the coolant level and it was perfect. I then researched the problem here and read that its a common issue from a bad sensor. So I decided the take the car to have it checked out by my mechanic and on the way there my radiator literally exploded which I didn't know had happened at the time. A minute or so later the noticed my temp gauge rising very quickly so I got off of the very next exit off of the highway I was on which was maybe a miles drive. As I got off the exit the car died. I had it towed and the repair shop had to fix the radiator before they could check out the motor. They fixed that and found out the motor was screwed and says I need a new one.

What I'm asking is(cause I don't know much) is it possible to repair it or anything else short of and cheaper then putting in a new motor?

Thanks guyd

 

How did they figure the engine was screwed? Did they compression test it? Cracked rotor housing? Driving it over a mile while it's overheating will do it though, pretty stupid on your part.

 

Take it back to where you bought it ....get your money back and walk away

 

I haven't received all the details about the exact damage but I will do that tomorrow. I only knew for about a 1/4 of that mile that the car was overheating and the highway I was on there was nowhere to pullover without getting killed. I had no idea the radiator exploded. I noticed the temp guague going up and I pulled over as fast as possible.

I'll get more info about the exact issues but in general can a engine be rebuilt cause I heard that rotary engines can not be and I was curious if that is true or not?

 

That's what I ultimatey would love to have happen but NJ law says I have to give the dealer a chance to fix it first and if he won't then I can send it back.

 

Yes the engine can be rebuilt but what is involved in that is determined once you get inside it and see the damage. If you warp things from heat then expect to replace more things. If the dealership chooses to replace your engine you will get a re-manufactured engine that is put together with some new and used parts that are within spec(but still used). I am thinking they will fight you on this but hopefully you come out ahead and can just return the car.

 

the dealer has been really supportive so far, its the warranty company that has me worried. If the warranty company says they wont pay then it falls on the dealer to pay for it since I had a 30 day warranty from him and a 1yr warranty from a company the dealer provided but I think the warranty co isnt gonna pay. The car dealer I imagine isnt going to want to pay just as much as I dont want to but from the research I have done they are liable for the damage/payment to fix it. If they dont then I have the legal right to return the car. Im just praying it doesnt turn into a huge legal fight and they just do the right thing. I did learn a valuable lesson and that is to only deal with the major named dealerships and not the little guys. It was just everything about this RX8 was perfect (except for the obvious) its in great condition, the interior looks new, its a GT and has every single option offered and for a 2004 it has low miles at 69,700 and the car fax report showed the previous owner did every matience issue he was supposed to and even more so I figured I was getting a perfect car.

 

I can't see them not just taking the car back and giving you the money. It would be cheaper than fixing it properly

 

but that still leaves them (car dealer) with a car they need to get fixed to re sell so either way they need to pay for a engine to be installed