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Mazda RX-8 Problems and Solutions
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:lemon: So Sad
"Vibration Problems:
In new tires, most vibration problems are a function of tire balance. The exception to this is the new car with low profile tires that has been sitting for prolonged periods. This phenomenon is often seen with imports as they sit in containers while crossing the ocean.
Other causes of vibrations are wheels that are out of round or warped. Aluminum wheels are very prone to this problem and the wider the diameter of the wheel, the greater the tendency for this to occur.
If you have a vibration problem we recommend the you seek out a Hunter model 9700-wheel balance system; they are diagnostics for most tire and wheel problems. We also recommend that when changing tires you select a system that does not touch the wheel while dismounting or mounting the tires."
There was also an article in the Wall Street Journal a few months ago about how many people have been surprised and dismayed at how "high maintenance" their low-profile tires are, and how expensive to replace. So maybe your dealer wasn't lying to you.
Or did a point get missed on my part?
I remembered the flooding procedure. After attempting to start the car with the accelerator pressed to the floor, I became a little discouraged. It took almost ten minutes of repeating this procedure, but it does work.
On (approximately) the 10th attempt, I actually took my foot off the accelerator, turned the key, and for the first time, the car almost turned over -with black smoke coming out of the exhaust.
I had to do another 5 more starts with the accelerator pressed to the floor again. I then let the pedal back off the floor, turned the key, and the car finally turned over. This time, a ton of black smoke came out and I had to rev the car to keep it from dying again. After a few minutes-it was back to normal.
This procedure does work, but it takes a lot of patience. I know keeping the pedal to the floor cuts off fuel to the engine and helps the car burn off any excess fuel. After a period of time, I did have to let my foot off the accelerator to get the car to turn over.
Hope this never happens to anyone. Remember-TELL ANYONE AND EVERYONE who drives your car to let the damn thing warm up! I love the car still, but I do not want a repeat of this.
Rachel
We've experienced this effect while tuning with piggyback fuel computers - but only when we reached really lean conditions. The piggyback fuel computer (Greddy e-Manage) increases HP output by cutting back on fuel in the engine thus operating it much closer to perfect stoich. conditions which results in more power. Mazda can't do this as it overheats the cat. - we replaced the cat with a state-of-the-art metallic cat. As we are tuning for what is essentially racing conditions, we don't have to worry about the life of the cat. We found trouble started at HP outputs of 245-255 HP (stock is actually around 220 real world). We had to use "racing fuel" at these levels (octane ratings of 96-98). Lots of xylene and/or tolulene in the fuel.
I find running the gas with a little ethanol in it works best - burns very clean and resists detonation. 5-10% is what they claim they add.
Bottom line - the 8 does not get great gas mileage. If you don't want to pay the gas bill, get an Aveo or a civic or something boring.
I'm not happy about gas prices, but I still get a big smile and don't worry about it too much when I redline my 8. It's worth it!!
Well we got the car back from the dealer with the updated pads and shims. So far not a sound and it stopped pulling to the right. What I was saying about the backfire was incorrect!!! There is a "rattle" noise coming from the engine or tranny in 2nd gear at 5K rpm. Any one with the auto trans have this problem?? Other than that no other issues :shades: Any how have fun in the RX's!!!
After asking about these problems on this list many times, all the issues appear to be normal RX-8 privilege of ownership glitches. All the above issues have appeared over the entire history of the RX-8 model and should best be view as badges of honor for which owners need to be proud that they noticed, but should be left alone as mysteries to appreciate and theorize about.
Here are my theories.
1) The rattle or popcorn noise relates to the second firing of the upper spark plug. I think the auto-tranny RX-8 is quieter, therefore AT owners can hear more engine related noise details. The AT also is more complex from a fuel mixture vs auto gear shift computer calculation perspective. The complexity means that there is not as perfect of efficient fuel mix going into the engine at various moments at different RPMs. What we RX-8 AT owner hear in the way of the rattle or popcorn noise is the second spark plug burning the excess fuel. (PathStar will probably shoot me down, but I like my theory of the mysterious rattle/popcorn noise and I'm sticking with it, at least until PathStar shoots me down. Oh well.)
2) Break squeak is totally normal as confirmed by an official Mazda Service bulletin I saw online. Customers who ask about the squeak breaks, have the shims fix done as the corrective, but it's not a recallable or problem item. It's just a break squeak according to Mazda.
3) LSD vibration is normal mechanical function which just needs to be broken in over time. Since I can't drive to crazy here in the Boston traffic nightmare, it'll probably take 20K to break in my LSD. This is PathStar's advice and I except it totally until I reach 20K. Then if the LSD vibration is still bad I'll ask the the deal "What's up with that LSD?"
BTW, I'm worried my dealer over filled my oil on the last change. Are there any ways to check for over fill besides the dipstick?
I forgot to mention that when the car gets to the point where the rattle happens, we have also been getting black smoke from the tail pipes from time to time, which is an indication of over fueling. I dont buy the fact that the fuel is the cause of all of that. I can believe the fact that the computer is allowing too much fuel into the engine. I am going to call and make yet another appointment with the dealer for this issue.
I haven't noticed black smoke, but there is plenty of carbon on my tail pipe. I notice the rattle/popcorn at much lower RPMs 2-3K. I also notice, that by carefully managing the gas peddle and RPMs in manual mode, I can prevent the noise completely.
Clearly the current RX-8 is one heck of a design. The reviews of the Renesis design certainly could have over looked minor glitches. I don't fault Mazda. I don't think the dealers, and I don't fault them either, really know the RX-8. I think the dealers like style points. But the RX-8 is a rare design. I'll take the rare, unique and cool design over a Toyota or Honda design of ultimate perfection any day. Nothing like revving a rotary.
I drove a 2000 mile trip through five states at 85 mph and got 23 mpg. That's quite good by any measure. I think the engine is fine.
Good luck. Let us know what happens.
For those not in Washington state, there are local rotary clubs elsewhere as well. For a long time we had to support ourselves as Mazda was "out" of the rotary, so these clubs are well established.
Well I'll be waiting for good news on your popcorn rattle issue. I've brought up my popcorn rattle noise several times as a topics for discussion here, but everyone has either dismissed it as something else other than an engine noise or they've said that true per-ignition is massively manifested by pronounced power loss and check engine lights flashing which has never happened to me. But at this point, I'm totally convinced that the popcorn rattle is coming from the engine and it's related to overly rich fuel mix complexities.
My small worry is that the popcorn rattle will get worse over time as a symptom of something critical, like an Apex seal breakdown. I doubt this, but it's still a small worry. Hopefully it's just a tweaking of the computer. Of course, my RX-8 AT is a Group 2 build with all the latest flashes done at the factory. I verified the vehicle ID number as being recall free before I bought it.
Seriously, good luck. I'm definitely going to take action based on your experience. Thanks.
I agree that it is an over fueling problem, I am getting large puffs of black smoke form time to time when the rattle happens. I am also hoping it is just a computer flash or something simple to fix the problem. I have not heard of this problem in the manual trans. If I am wrong someone please let me know. I will post my results on Friday when I get the car back from the dealer. I just hope what I post is good news. Until then try to enjoy the ride all!! :shades:
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
A few questions:
1) How did the service tech diagnose the problem?
2) When does the black smoke appear and how do you see it?
3) Is the carbon build up on the tail pipe particularly bad?
Thanks, and good luck. I'm going to wait on taking action until you've gotten satisfaction.
1) The popcorn/rattle (which could also be described as a gurgling sound as well) does appear to less noticed with more 89 octane gas.
2) MPG does also appear to be better with 89 octane gas.
Anyway, I can't believe how smooth the engine starts after this procedure. Cold or hot, the rev for ten seconds then shut down, really does make for the smoothest quickest starts cold or hot. I'm guessing that computerized fuel mix gets nice and stable and then the shut off before spinning down really does burn up and pump out the remaining fuel to the greatest degree possible.
Following the above proscribed procedure really makes starting my RX-8 AT, as close to turning on an electric engine as I can imagine.
I'm a little baffled about the vent (without AC on) is blowing HOT air, not just outside stale, stuffy air, it's heater hot? Waiting on my new brake kit to arrive, so I guess they can take a look at this as well.
Will update again next week.
Now one possible change is that I have been running 87 octane gas, plus AC on these warm spring days.
My RX-8 AT has always revved fairly high on hard take offs, 5-6K RPM on full automatic before the 1st and 2nd gear shift. You didn't get that behavior before?