Why "Do" Rx-8 engines fail?
#1
Why "Do" Rx-8 engines fail?
Hi,
Just wondering what was happening to the certain RX-8 Engines that were failing, and being replaced under warranty.
I've got an FD and understand quite well how motors blow etc, however with an FD it really only happens with detonation or overheating.
I did a search on "engine Failure" but could not find a thread relating specifically to the cause of the failure on the rx-8s. The only thing i have heard of NA rotaries, Mostly from 12a and 2nd gen guys, is that they last forever.
What went wrong in those cars that needed new motors? Bad part? busted omp? bad interal seals?
Also, i'm buying a 2004 at the end of the month, so i'm just reading up a bit to get familiar with the car.
Thanks
Harrison
Just wondering what was happening to the certain RX-8 Engines that were failing, and being replaced under warranty.
I've got an FD and understand quite well how motors blow etc, however with an FD it really only happens with detonation or overheating.
I did a search on "engine Failure" but could not find a thread relating specifically to the cause of the failure on the rx-8s. The only thing i have heard of NA rotaries, Mostly from 12a and 2nd gen guys, is that they last forever.
What went wrong in those cars that needed new motors? Bad part? busted omp? bad interal seals?
Also, i'm buying a 2004 at the end of the month, so i'm just reading up a bit to get familiar with the car.
Thanks
Harrison
#5
Got Another Rotary
To meet emissions, the OMP oil injection rate was not high enough causing too much apex and side seal wear eventually reducing compression below normal operating limits - causing the need for an engine replacement. Some cars also had issues with Catalyst clogging (caused from incomplete combustion due to the low compression) that exacerbated the problem.
Most with this issue tended to be in very hot climates, some had extended idling situations, and some drove the car too conservatively (with the last two not injecting enough oil in low rpm/low load situations).
The latest recall included a check of the engine compression, catalyst, and new fuel/OMP profiles to increase the oil injected at idling, lower rpms, lower loads.
BUT, many still think the additional lubrication is still not enough as they still have to meet emissions with the engine. Thus, they "Premix" to add additional lubrication via the fuel. There is a very long sticky thread dedicated to this subject that you can read to make your own determination on whether or not to premix.
I and some others here have added the Sohn OMP adapter to allow the feeding of 2-cycle oil to the engine instead of sump oil - providing better and cleaner lubrication of the apex and side seals while minimizing catalyst clogging.
Before buying any used RX8, I would recommend making sure the 4206F recall has been performed to assure the engine compression and catalyst are OK (they are checked as part of the recall).
Most with this issue tended to be in very hot climates, some had extended idling situations, and some drove the car too conservatively (with the last two not injecting enough oil in low rpm/low load situations).
The latest recall included a check of the engine compression, catalyst, and new fuel/OMP profiles to increase the oil injected at idling, lower rpms, lower loads.
BUT, many still think the additional lubrication is still not enough as they still have to meet emissions with the engine. Thus, they "Premix" to add additional lubrication via the fuel. There is a very long sticky thread dedicated to this subject that you can read to make your own determination on whether or not to premix.
I and some others here have added the Sohn OMP adapter to allow the feeding of 2-cycle oil to the engine instead of sump oil - providing better and cleaner lubrication of the apex and side seals while minimizing catalyst clogging.
Before buying any used RX8, I would recommend making sure the 4206F recall has been performed to assure the engine compression and catalyst are OK (they are checked as part of the recall).
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Misinformation Director - Evolv Chicago
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#7
I'm surprised to read that many people think it still wouldn't inject enough oil. I know the 8 has 2 injectors per housing vs the 1 on the FD. They did it to lubricate the housing more evenly than on the older styles. I do a bit of premixing on the 7... but not very much... about 4 oz per fill up.
Anyway, the car i'm buying is an 04, but has had no problems whatsoever, and has had all the recalls and TSBs done. Looking forward to picking it up. It will definitely look a lot more sporty than my wrx.
Anyway, the car i'm buying is an 04, but has had no problems whatsoever, and has had all the recalls and TSBs done. Looking forward to picking it up. It will definitely look a lot more sporty than my wrx.
#9
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Northern California
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know the amount of engine problems are inline with the norm. I just wonder if the rest of the world is haveing the same engine failures as the US? Or is it our emissions that are the problem.
#10
Registered
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Milan, Michigan
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
#13
Lubricious
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SF Bay Area, California
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
From what I've ready, for the majority of failures you'll never know the exact cause because the dealerships don't tear down the engine. It's crated and shipped back to Japan or to a reman center where all traces of sin are removed.
#16
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
I'm surprised to read that many people think it still wouldn't inject enough oil. I know the 8 has 2 injectors per housing vs the 1 on the FD. They did it to lubricate the housing more evenly than on the older styles. I do a bit of premixing on the 7... but not very much... about 4 oz per fill up.
Anyway, the car i'm buying is an 04, but has had no problems whatsoever, and has had all the recalls and TSBs done. Looking forward to picking it up. It will definitely look a lot more sporty than my wrx.
Anyway, the car i'm buying is an 04, but has had no problems whatsoever, and has had all the recalls and TSBs done. Looking forward to picking it up. It will definitely look a lot more sporty than my wrx.
IMO : Mostly due to the 5w20 oil that Mazda *recommends*
Notice : thats what FORD recommends, because by doing so, they can have better *looking* emission numbers.
It seems that Mazda *forgot* to re-adjust the OMP rate for the 5w20 oil, engines did not get what they really *need*. so eventually they will fail. They re-adjust the OMP rate after the recall flash, so it should be fine now. Just have to wait and see.
When I was hmm 8K miles? I switched from 5w20 to 5w30, Royal Purple.
and I dont think it has anything to do with the 1 oil cooler thing, they have 1 oil cooler everywhere. no one seems to have a problem as much as the N/A market does.
#17
I have to believe it is a heat issue from the cat and peripheral port...old na cars were quenched by cats...I put 160,000 on my FC (88 rx) and drove it like an angry teenager...what ultimate killed my was side seal failure from over revving. (one of the original rotary masters in San Dimas, CA told me that by hitting the rev limiter the eccentric shafts harmonics would cause the rotating assembly to lurch transversely to its spin, then put in a lift and had me watch the crank pulley, he was right) old 13b's had a solid surface side plate as opposed to our peripheral port design...I think if we dismantled ours we'd see some out of plane issues with our side plate issues and lots of dried out apex seals and uneven side seals...and btw I ran at least 10/40 in my FC usually running 20/50...wonder if I could still do that?...does anybody know...searching, as opposed to hijacking the thread...
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Last edited by hayasa8; 05-13-2007 at 01:18 AM.
#19
How about you fail on posting. this is supposed to be a technical forum/thread. your posting does nothing except make the forum slower.
Nycgps,
I wasn't talking about the oilcoolers. I beleive all the rx8's come with two, vs the latest rx7, where as only the R1 and R2 packages came with dual oil coolers. I was at speedsource a while back, and the rotor housing itself has two holes to inject oil per housing, vs the FD and previous designs that only had 1. So i was surprised it was premature apex seal wear.
Regardless, still looking foward to picking up the car. Mazda still using Dino oil? My FD has only seen 20/50 syn.
#20
II SOCIETY
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Bay Area
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How about you fail on posting. this is supposed to be a technical forum/thread. your posting does nothing except make the forum slower.
Nycgps,
I wasn't talking about the oilcoolers. I beleive all the rx8's come with two, vs the latest rx7, where as only the R1 and R2 packages came with dual oil coolers. I was at speedsource a while back, and the rotor housing itself has two holes to inject oil per housing, vs the FD and previous designs that only had 1. So i was surprised it was premature apex seal wear.
Regardless, still looking foward to picking up the car. Mazda still using Dino oil? My FD has only seen 20/50 syn.
Nycgps,
I wasn't talking about the oilcoolers. I beleive all the rx8's come with two, vs the latest rx7, where as only the R1 and R2 packages came with dual oil coolers. I was at speedsource a while back, and the rotor housing itself has two holes to inject oil per housing, vs the FD and previous designs that only had 1. So i was surprised it was premature apex seal wear.
Regardless, still looking foward to picking up the car. Mazda still using Dino oil? My FD has only seen 20/50 syn.
o
w
a
b
o
u
t
n
o
w
?
#21
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
How about you fail on posting. this is supposed to be a technical forum/thread. your posting does nothing except make the forum slower.
Nycgps,
I wasn't talking about the oilcoolers. I beleive all the rx8's come with two, vs the latest rx7, where as only the R1 and R2 packages came with dual oil coolers. I was at speedsource a while back, and the rotor housing itself has two holes to inject oil per housing, vs the FD and previous designs that only had 1. So i was surprised it was premature apex seal wear.
Regardless, still looking foward to picking up the car. Mazda still using Dino oil? My FD has only seen 20/50 syn.
Nycgps,
I wasn't talking about the oilcoolers. I beleive all the rx8's come with two, vs the latest rx7, where as only the R1 and R2 packages came with dual oil coolers. I was at speedsource a while back, and the rotor housing itself has two holes to inject oil per housing, vs the FD and previous designs that only had 1. So i was surprised it was premature apex seal wear.
Regardless, still looking foward to picking up the car. Mazda still using Dino oil? My FD has only seen 20/50 syn.
but still, not all RX8 comes with 2 oil coolers.
the premature wear was caused by Mazda, they didnt get the OMP right in the first place.
Mazda dont care about Dino or Synthetics, its just their business practice. Its easier than say no to all than testing them all. I use Synthetic and I have no problems with it.
Last edited by nycgps; 05-13-2007 at 07:12 PM.
#23
Registered
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So oil viscosity has no impact on OMP performance, regardless of tuning? Wouldn't a lower viscosity oil flow more freely or it's all about OMP tuning that determines how much oil flows, regardless of viscosity? If the latter, then other than getting the correct flash, we are on our own to make corrections via pre-mixing, alternative OMP feeds, etc?
#24
Got Another Rotary
No - OMP controls flow rate independent of viscosity. Some prefer higher viscosity for thicker oil film after injection.
Another alternative to premixing is you could get the Sohn "Adjuster" (even without the "Adapter" to change the oil source) and use it to manually force the OMP to a higher "base" flow rate (would be no longer based on load). This higher "base" flow rate would then be adjusted up to the maximum flow rate via RPMs.
Details here:
http://rotaryaviation.com/oil_inject...p_adaptors.htm
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dbarber
Series I Trouble Shooting
14
07-25-2015 01:34 PM