New Engine @ 19,000 miles
10-03-2005 | 09:36 AM
#126
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From: Columbia, SC
The RX-7 has high values now because they don't make them anymore, they are popular with modders, and many have already blown motors and may be junked. Don't get me wrong, I love the RX-7, but I'm into cars with longevity. My current F-150 has 130K miles and runs like new, I think better than new (Mobil1). I am just saying that the Rx-7 has high resale value for reasons other than like a Honda or Lexus has high resale value. And I don't even care about resale value. I kept my last sports car to 130K miles and it was running like new then(dino oil). I just want it to last. And I am trying to figure out if I am even likely to have a problem getting an MT car, but no one here has done a poll. I think I might do it. I wanted to but hesitated since I don't even own one. I guess I can, I know more about the car than most who own it. "Most" does not include any of you, I mean the general public.
10-03-2005 | 04:08 PM
#127
Evil Genius
Joined: Aug 2005
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Originally Posted by shahram72
-snip- no one here has done a poll. I think I might do it. I wanted to but hesitated since I don't even own one. -snip-
-R.
10-03-2005 | 05:47 PM
#128
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Australia
Originally Posted by shahram72
Well I have to say that I am also scared to get an RX-8 with the report on failed engines. Obviously, Mazda still can't get the damn things right. Is this isolated to AT cars? or at least less likely on MT's? I hear mostly AT cars with this problem. I have been working hard for years to get a new sports car and there's not much else out there that I want. This is one of the reasons why you can get a good deal on these new, but can't a Mustang for much less than sticker price. People are afraid of rotary cars. The FD's were lemons, IMO. Any car that can't make 100K miles is worthless, even if it is a turbo. These are not racing cars we are buying. I realize that we are only hearing from those that have problems, but I did not work all these years to buy a lemon. I was planning to get a used 2004, but now with all this talk, I won't settle for anything less than a 2006 model or nothing. Problem, is I probably won't be able to afford a new one. I miss the days of nice $20K cars. Civic SI? No thanks. Would probably look for a nice (and unmodified) used Prelude if I can't get an 8. I like the styling, though not as much as the 8. I just can't see getting a car with a payment as big as my house. I wan't a base model MT with only a wing, that's it. I will probably drive it very easily compared to most of you. It probably will never break 7 seconds 0-60 because I will never shift it too fast or hard. Do I need to worry getting an MT? I spoke to a Mazda tech last week who was working on my 626(a little less than impressed with this one as well) and he said he had seen a few engine failures as well, here in SC. It gets damn hot here, but not for long, and I think he said that most were AT's as well. Why are the AT's failing more often. What a shame. The most exciting car this side of a Ferrari, with the life of a Yugo. Enlighten me please!
I think the problem was engine oil type related as NO other country in the world has yets to change an engine, only the US.
10-03-2005 | 05:50 PM
#129
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Australia
Originally Posted by tuj
Not true in this case. The failed engines are sent back to Mazda Japan for tear-down and analysis there. AFAIK, everyone who has had their engine replaced got a new crate engine from Mazda.
10-03-2005 | 07:40 PM
#130
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Posts: 108
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From: Columbia, SC
Well this is interesting information. I thought there were more than 5. I probably will be fine gettin a new 6 speed then. I just wish Mazda would recommend synthetic. Oh well, 3000 mile with dino oil ain't so bad either. Did that with my Stealth and she lasted 190K miles and would still run today if it weren't for other issues. I still want one badly. Saw a prelude today and you know, I'd rather just not have anything if not the 8. Maybe next year. I'm making some good sales lately and if this keeps up and I get a clean scan (thyroid cancer, benign) next year and the medical bills don't kill me, I just might get one. The service tech did day they had a couple engine replacements here, but they were both AT I think. Does the AT have different oil coolers than the MT? Are there factory oil coolers at all?
10-10-2005 | 12:31 PM
#134
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 121
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From: Riverview FL
Another motor casualty
To all,
I have been reading this thread and note that it has a lot of good detail and is closely related to https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...9&page=5&pp=15
I posted the following there....
With regards to engine break-in, I re-read the manual and asked the dealer for recommendations. Their guidance was to “drive it like you stole it”…. With the additional guidance to vary the RPMs a lot.
Still love the car. I was very surprised with the performance increase from the new motor. When performance drops slowly over a period of time, you don’t realize the difference.
More later…. We should have both on the road by next week and I will post an update.
I have been reading this thread and note that it has a lot of good detail and is closely related to https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...9&page=5&pp=15
I posted the following there....
Well gents, I wrote a note about loss of power early on in this thread and have been looking through the more recent notes.
This looks like a significant problem to me. Last week both our RX-8s went in for this same problem. Well… actually, my wife’s had all the classic symptoms and stalled in traffic. They did a compression check and stated that the rear rotor was not up to spec for compression and that they were REPACING THE ENGINE, as well as programming the system to use more oil.
That same day, my engine light came on and the car was running very rough. So, I took it in and they … RAN A COMPRESSION TEST…. This problem must be happening a lot. In the case of my 8, the compression was dead on (normally the compression is above spec) so they debated about installing an oil pump with a higher flow… They kept the car overnight and after a test drive, decided to ORDER AN ENGINE for my 8 also.
The head of the service department told me that carbon build up on the rear rotor seals was a problem. He told me that most people do not run up the revs enough to keep the seal deposits cleaned off.
Soooo, here we are waiting for motors.
As I state above, both our RX-8s have had to have new engines installed. Both are MTs. We just picked up my wife's on Saturday after a three week wait for a motor. Mine is supposed to be done by this Friday. Since we live in FL, I tend to agree with others who have stated this is a heat related problem. The dealer has also stated that there seems to be more problems with the rear rotor and that it is NOT getting enough oil. The combination of heat and insufficient oil could kill any engine. I am told the new engines are programmed to use more oil. I am going to be VERY careful with regards to oil levels and consumption. This looks like a significant problem to me. Last week both our RX-8s went in for this same problem. Well… actually, my wife’s had all the classic symptoms and stalled in traffic. They did a compression check and stated that the rear rotor was not up to spec for compression and that they were REPACING THE ENGINE, as well as programming the system to use more oil.
That same day, my engine light came on and the car was running very rough. So, I took it in and they … RAN A COMPRESSION TEST…. This problem must be happening a lot. In the case of my 8, the compression was dead on (normally the compression is above spec) so they debated about installing an oil pump with a higher flow… They kept the car overnight and after a test drive, decided to ORDER AN ENGINE for my 8 also.
The head of the service department told me that carbon build up on the rear rotor seals was a problem. He told me that most people do not run up the revs enough to keep the seal deposits cleaned off.
Soooo, here we are waiting for motors.
With regards to engine break-in, I re-read the manual and asked the dealer for recommendations. Their guidance was to “drive it like you stole it”…. With the additional guidance to vary the RPMs a lot.
Still love the car. I was very surprised with the performance increase from the new motor. When performance drops slowly over a period of time, you don’t realize the difference.
More later…. We should have both on the road by next week and I will post an update.
10-16-2005 | 08:05 PM
#135
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 121
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From: Riverview FL
New engine.. and breaking it in
Well, I have heard and read several items on break-in methods for th Renisis. The dealer said to drive it like I stole it. We did the following:
- As it happened, we had to make a run to Atlanta to pick a family member and decided to take my wife's 8 (mine only has 200 miles on the new engine) which had 600 miles on it.
- It was a 1000 mile round trip. We varied the RPMs, but ran it pretty hard. 1000 in 12 hrs
- Checked the oil at every fill up. Seemed to be a little low on oil when we first started but did not use much
- Still working up the mileage
- Man these cars are fun!!!
10-16-2005 | 08:49 PM
#136
sharam: The RX-8 has among the best resale values in the sport car class.
I am very picky, and I absolutely love my 8. One of the best purchases I've ever made, and great value for the price. To get something this nice and attention grabbing could easily cost 20k more.
Also, I'm glad to hear your thyroid cancer screening came back negative.
Peace.
I am very picky, and I absolutely love my 8. One of the best purchases I've ever made, and great value for the price. To get something this nice and attention grabbing could easily cost 20k more.
Also, I'm glad to hear your thyroid cancer screening came back negative.
Peace.
10-23-2005 | 05:26 PM
#137
Rotary lover
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 1
From: Centurion,South Africa
I Agree I am a rotary lover and that will stay.
There is however this motor blowing that worries me as a guy here by us in SA also had the same problem and it sounds as some common fault the dealers do is to way overfill the engine oil, thinking we will not check it.
that gave this friend of mine a problem and a while after it his compression dropped away.
I bought a demo model with the hopes that problems will be solved, I am now at 39000Km.
Will have compression tested wednesday at 40000 service on my 6MT
There is however this motor blowing that worries me as a guy here by us in SA also had the same problem and it sounds as some common fault the dealers do is to way overfill the engine oil, thinking we will not check it.
that gave this friend of mine a problem and a while after it his compression dropped away.
I bought a demo model with the hopes that problems will be solved, I am now at 39000Km.
Will have compression tested wednesday at 40000 service on my 6MT
11-06-2005 | 01:31 PM
#138
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 94
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Another victim here... 04 Auto w/ 29k miles
My car was idling very badly and has been in a dealer numerous times. They first replaced motor mounts to fix vibration at idle, which did nothing. Then, next time, they told me it was bad gas and told me to put chevron premium. After 2 weeks of using chevron, car was actually getting worse at idle and started developing rough sounds from engine. I took it in again, very frustrated, and dealer told me I needed a new engine.
I haven't gotten official explanation from the dealer because my service advisor was off and other service advisor didn't know what was wrong except new engine was needed.
My guess is that there is a carbon build up and it either threw off the engine balance because rotary is so light or seal went bad. Not sure. That's just my current conjecture. I read that it took 2 months to get the car back with new engine somewhere on this board. How long did it take for them to put a new car engine in? It's ridiculous to not have the car for that long while I am still making a payment on it. Also any bad experiences after engine replacement?
Alas....
My car was idling very badly and has been in a dealer numerous times. They first replaced motor mounts to fix vibration at idle, which did nothing. Then, next time, they told me it was bad gas and told me to put chevron premium. After 2 weeks of using chevron, car was actually getting worse at idle and started developing rough sounds from engine. I took it in again, very frustrated, and dealer told me I needed a new engine.
I haven't gotten official explanation from the dealer because my service advisor was off and other service advisor didn't know what was wrong except new engine was needed.
My guess is that there is a carbon build up and it either threw off the engine balance because rotary is so light or seal went bad. Not sure. That's just my current conjecture. I read that it took 2 months to get the car back with new engine somewhere on this board. How long did it take for them to put a new car engine in? It's ridiculous to not have the car for that long while I am still making a payment on it. Also any bad experiences after engine replacement?
Alas....
11-06-2005 | 06:10 PM
#139
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If your car runs, but only with a bad idle then drive it till the engine comes in. There's no reason to let it sit at the dealer and risk cosmetic damage. I don't think the carbon weighs enough to throw the eninge off balance. It idles rough because you have low compression in 2+ chambers out of the six.
11-06-2005 | 06:49 PM
#140
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Originally Posted by spieder
If your car runs, but only with a bad idle then drive it till the engine comes in. There's no reason to let it sit at the dealer and risk cosmetic damage. I don't think the carbon weighs enough to throw the eninge off balance. It idles rough because you have low compression in 2+ chambers out of the six.
I don't really want to drive the car until it's fully fixed so I am planning alternate transportation. But I am still paying for monthly...
I wonder, since compression was low in my engine, if my car was lacking in acceleration. Although I never had hard time reving up the engine. Coming from Nissan's VQ engine family (both 3.0 and 3.5), I thought lack of torque was the reason for mediocre acceleration (even thought I thought it was lively). It would be awesome if car feels faster with new engine.
11-06-2005 | 07:57 PM
#141
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 121
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From: Riverview FL
New engines after a couple thousand miles
These new motors are great. I had my reservations but, our 1,000 mile blast to Atlanta and back went well with my wife's 8 went really well. She says it runs a lot stronger with the new motor.
My 8 motor is much stronger than the one they pulled.
Oh, something I have noticed. It seems that the car uses more oil for the first 1,000 miles. Then it goes back to normal oil consumption rates. Gas mileage seems to inch up after about 800 miles on the new motor also.
My 8 motor is much stronger than the one they pulled.
Oh, something I have noticed. It seems that the car uses more oil for the first 1,000 miles. Then it goes back to normal oil consumption rates. Gas mileage seems to inch up after about 800 miles on the new motor also.
11-21-2005 | 09:05 PM
#143
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 156
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Originally Posted by typej
Thanks for the info, I wish my dealer was helpful and explain stuff to me like that. Most explanation I got was "engine is bad"
I don't really want to drive the car until it's fully fixed so I am planning alternate transportation. But I am still paying for monthly...
I wonder, since compression was low in my engine, if my car was lacking in acceleration. Although I never had hard time reving up the engine. Coming from Nissan's VQ engine family (both 3.0 and 3.5), I thought lack of torque was the reason for mediocre acceleration (even thought I thought it was lively). It would be awesome if car feels faster with new engine.
I don't really want to drive the car until it's fully fixed so I am planning alternate transportation. But I am still paying for monthly...
I wonder, since compression was low in my engine, if my car was lacking in acceleration. Although I never had hard time reving up the engine. Coming from Nissan's VQ engine family (both 3.0 and 3.5), I thought lack of torque was the reason for mediocre acceleration (even thought I thought it was lively). It would be awesome if car feels faster with new engine.
11-21-2005 | 09:59 PM
#144
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 105
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Originally Posted by Twin 8s!
These new motors are great. I had my reservations but, our 1,000 mile blast to Atlanta and back went well with my wife's 8 went really well. She says it runs a lot stronger with the new motor.
My 8 motor is much stronger than the one they pulled.
Oh, something I have noticed. It seems that the car uses more oil for the first 1,000 miles. Then it goes back to normal oil consumption rates. Gas mileage seems to inch up after about 800 miles on the new motor also.
My 8 motor is much stronger than the one they pulled.
Oh, something I have noticed. It seems that the car uses more oil for the first 1,000 miles. Then it goes back to normal oil consumption rates. Gas mileage seems to inch up after about 800 miles on the new motor also.
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