Having a few problems with my beloved 2005 RX-8, and hoping my fellow rotards can help me solve the problem. I'm having it checked out by the stealership tomorrow, and just not looking to get buttfuct.

Engine overheating under mild conditions. I've had this problem as far back as a few months ago, when I was driving on a highway, went from 6th to 4th to pass someone, and the whole car felt as if it were slipping a gear. The "check engine" light came on, so I pulled over to the side of the road and immediately stopped the car. The engine bay felt a bit hot, so I stopped for a few minutes to let it cool. I haven't had this problem since... until today, where it was the first 80+ degree day out. Managed to get the car off the highway, and onto a residential street where I let it sit for 2 hours.

Upon returning to the car, I noticed the engine bay was still relatively warm. As if it had been just shut off. I know these motors run hot... but this is abnormal. Checked the oil level with the dipstick, which was more than fine. Removed the oil cap, and found a filmy oil residue which you usually find on your dipstick... I've never seen it up there.

77,000 troublefree miles... and now this. I love this car to death, and just hope she hasn't died on me.

Any thoughts?

 

Engines do get really hot and stay hot for hours after you have turned them off. You could go to a car parts store and get an engine code readout using their OBD prior to going to the dealership that may give you an idea what is wrong. CHeck the engine temp though and if the engine is getting hot or losing power then stop and get it towed to the dealer.
I had an issue with mine where one of the cells or something wasn't firing properly causing the engine to dump fuel into the CAT which overheated causing damage to the engine and cost me $850 and a new CAT from my warranty.
A TOW should be less then $100 but could save your engine. Maybe rent a trailer from youHaul or something.

 

have you considered the fuel pump?

 

Could be... kind of hoping it is that. It is intermittent...

 

Thats what happened to me.

Intermittent loss of power. Would be fine after cool down, until a sweltering hot summer day and I couldn't run the car more than 5 mins without it shutting off.

Bought a Walbro for 125$ and it solved the problem.