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Mazda RX 8 Engine Failure Problem

2

Comments

  • phamiphami Member Posts: 2
    Hi Jus wanting to ask u about changing the plugs for my rx8 2003 coz im gonna giv ita try doing it myself instead of hearing the ridiculous quotes from the mech, so can u help me by providing the website where i can purchase the plugs from & what i have to do to check when the plugs are in that my car is running fine?

    thank you very much.
  • phamiphami Member Posts: 2
    hi i am havin problems with my Rx8 2003 AT.
    iv left my car for over 2 months without driving it coz i hav to go overseas n it needed it plugs changed n when i came back it wouldnt start (Flooding) so iv towed it over to the nearest garage to fix n changed my plugs at 11am later i receive a call from em (3hrs later) saying they cant fix my car cos it has compression failure n advise me to see a specialist so i came there 2 c my rx8 in its position that i left it there like it hasn't been touched n got charge $55 bucks so i wasted my time n money n now decided to fixit myself by changing the plugs myself as the specialist advise that the car needs to plugs to be able to build compression.

    thank you.
  • carfreakrx8carfreakrx8 Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2010
    hi i just like to know if you get the problem fix, and what you did to get it fix i am have similar problem with my car i have in a new battery and new set of spark plugs the car will run and idle OK but it will only start when the engine is cold, when it start and and it warm up and u cut it off it wont start on till it cold some time it take hours to get it back up and running again plz help
  • 10acdeacon10acdeacon Member Posts: 1
    We bought our son an rx-8 and didn't know about all the problems. He had it for about a year, then the engine wouldn't start. We took it to the dealer. By now, Mazda had extended the warranties on the engine and they put in a new one free of charge. This was in April, 2010. Yesterday, the car made horrible sounds and lost power. We had it towed into the dealer. Guess what. We're getting yet another new engine. This will be the 3rd engine on this car. Maybe this one is the charm, or better yet, maybe we need to trade it on one something more reliable! I'm thinking the latter.
  • arthur13arthur13 Member Posts: 1
    hello there
    afta replacing the ignition coils was the car fine after n did the odor go away,..is this why the engine light is on???
  • zubscorpionzubscorpion Member Posts: 1
    Aww man... damn I need to get my first car and I've been looking for a good car that will take me to school and work, and I fell in love with the Rx-8, but from what I see, its not a very good car at all....

    can you tell me what exactly the problem is with the Rx-8 according to what you know please?

    can you also tell me how long and how much you know about the Rx-8 rotary engines please
  • purepinaypurepinay Member Posts: 1
    i am having the same exact problem with my son RX-8 and the dealer is now getting a new engine for my sons car and i totally agreed with you. MAZDA is selling a lemon car.
  • nandarknandark Member Posts: 2
    I just bought my son an 08 RX8, are these problems occuring on this model also?
  • cashboyzcashboyz Member Posts: 2
    Not sure, I would check online to see but I think that all the RX8 have the same issues.
  • nandarknandark Member Posts: 2
    Wow!! I guess I should have done more research before buying. You would think it would be fixed by now....
  • funbun1funbun1 Member Posts: 1
    Nope, no agenda. I've only known personally one RX-8 owner. She works in my office. They moved the car from one end of the drive to the other. Came back out later, the car wouldn't crank. Called the dealer, they said, " bring it in, after you flooded it out we have to change the plugs." She was charged $ 600.00 . Later they discover...........after reading these posts......that there is a segment in the owners manual about the special restarting technique of a Wankel engine after it has flooded out.
    So, yes, they are weird. She bought the car from a used dealer, so it's a given that they had no way of knowing about the flood/restart procedure.
  • rotary4liferotary4life Member Posts: 1
    Hey I have an 07 rx8 and its runing awesome haven't had any flows with it rx8 which I know u know are rotary "YOU MuST run the car hard meaning leting ur rpms go high.... my friends has had one of these cars before I did he took car of his car and has had more problems with it then me I've had zero problems u have to treat the car bad its not a casual car.....
  • aliteebsaliteebs Member Posts: 1
    i've got a mazda rx8 that won't start.

    i moved the car into the garage...and then 30 mins later went to go start it up again and it wasn't starting. figured maybe it needed to be jumped, but that didn't work. we had a buddy of ours come over and check it out. found out the spark plug wasn't sparking. got that fixed up..and went to try and start it again, and it still wouldn't start. our buddy tried to figure out what was up for hours. we've never had any problem with our car until now, and have had it for a year now. kind of upsetting... =/

    its been sitting for a while. and we got no clue what to do. we decided to look online for ppl who have had similar problems. anyone got a clue of what could be wrong....or give some advice of what to do? anything will be helpful
  • ajrotarianajrotarian Member Posts: 2
    I'm an Rx8 owner,

    I was just surfing through the Rx8 Engine failure problems forum. And I came across your post. I'm here by having alot of problems with my rx8. I want to get some info on the lemon law attorney you've had. I have a 2005 Mazda Rx8, as I'm writing this letter. My Rx8 is at the dealership getting its 2nd engine replaced. I have 93k miles on the body and have 24k miles on the 2nd engine when it went out. Please reply back to me as soon as you can with the attorney info. I'd greatly appreciate that. Thank you
  • cartrouble15cartrouble15 Member Posts: 1
    We had the "cannot start the car because it was moved a small distance” problem with my 2004 Mazda RX8 and it was towed into the local Mazda Dealership. Then I started having the "car will not start" problem which lead to an engine replacement. Again, I am having the "car will not start" problem and it had to be towed into the same Mazda Dealership who says my car needs a 3rd engine. By the way Mazda will not cover it and the cost is 5k. Now, I have a car sitting in my drive way that will not run for which I make monthly car payments and am require to pay auto insurance on. Has anyone had success in getting Mazda to replace the engine? Did you have to sue?
  • joyk3joyk3 Member Posts: 1
    Have you all seen this? Mazda extended warranty on the 04'-08' RX-8 engines:

    link title
  • ajrotarianajrotarian Member Posts: 2
    Can you send me a link about the extended warranty info? Thanks.
  • ClairesClaires Member Posts: 1,222
    edited July 2011
    Here it is again :shades: : Mazda RX8 Extended Warranty

    MODERATOR

    Need help getting around? [email protected] - or send a private message by clicking on my name.

    Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review

  • strongtreestrongtree Member Posts: 2
    Hello All,

    I'm a new rx-8 owner as of 4 months ago. Bought a 2004 for my son for his first car. Wish I hadn't done that. He went to start it last week and no spark. $750 later at the dealership and the spark was back but they say the engine was blown. I've read a lot online since then regarding these engines and see they are lemons. The Mazda dealer says they'll replace the engine if I can show history of maintenance records. When I tried to contact the previous 2 owners the dealerships won't give me their names, so I have no way to do that.

    I've got a claim in with Mazda customer service and waiting to hear back. Anyone have any other advise as to other course of actions?

    Thanks.
  • cashboyzcashboyz Member Posts: 2
    That sounds so familiar, I had bought a 2005 for my son and made the mistake of doing the research after the fact on the rotary engine and realized a little too late that they are junk. Keep hearing that you have to run them hard but give me a break, you should be able to start a car , move it (no matter how far or long) and still be able to start the damn car again. Its a joke, I feel that Mazda should purchase every one of these lemons back and scrap'em. I have mastered the art of starting mine after you flood the engine , If it doesnt start you have to constantly work at turning the key and try cranking without thge gas pedal for about 8 sec. and then turn off press the gas pedal down and let go then try starting again for 8 sec. Keep doing this for about 15 to 30 min and finally you will create enough build-up of fuel to startup. Just make sure to hook up some cables to another battery so you dont kill yours trying.
  • grinningrinnin Member Posts: 13
    Just to put it out there - despite what you will read on these forums (where people go when they have a problem) - lots of happy satisfied folks own RX-8s. I have a 2004 with 44K miles on it. I drive it all year long in a wintery climate (Boston) and frequently take short trips (1 mile each way on a cold engine) to commuter station to go to work. Never - not even once - has the car flooded or failed to start for me. It did recently get an ignition coil replaced after some rough running. 7 years later I still smile pretty much the whole time I drive the car. My wife loves it too.
  • raptor75raptor75 Member Posts: 7
    First off the rotary is different then a piston engine. If you flood a piston engine over time the fuel will drain from the cylinders into the crank case and allow the engine to start. In an rotary the gas has no ware to drain to so it settles at the bottom of the rotary chamber until you try to start again and just re-floods the engine. If the engine is warm it allow the gas to evaporate and no flooding. That is why they tell you to warm the car up before shutting it down.

    To clear your car try pushing the gas peddle to the floor (this will shut off the fuel injectors) and crank the car for six seconds. Try this 2 or 4 times waiting in between and always press the gas to the floor or you'll just make the flooding worst. Now try starting the car normally with foot off the gas. If this does not work you have to remove the spark plugs and then do the outlined procedure again. Let the car sit a few minutes between cranks. Reinstall the spark plugs and you should start. You can also pull start the car if you have a manual. Have another car pull the RX to 20mph then dump the clutch in 2nd gear. This will start the car.

    The flooding prevents the apex seal from sealing well and causes weak compression and no starting. In 2005 Mazda installed a stronger battery and faster starter. This spun the engine fast which increased the sealing force of the apex seals which helped greatly with the flood issue. If your car is an 2004 confirm it received this update.

    If you are a little careful, you will never flood. If you car is at normal operating temperature you will never flood. If you move the car a small amount let it idle for a minute or two rev the car to 5,000rpms and turn off the engine while it is revved to 5000. I have done this for 6 year and never flooded once.
  • jamesam1jamesam1 Member Posts: 2
    Hello,

    I've just run into some of the same problems that others describe about RX8 engine failure. I have a 2005 Shinka with about 47K miles, and it started having troubles starting. So I took it to the dealer, and $1000 later I had a carbon-free engine with new coils and plugs, a clean fuel system, and few other bright and shiny improvements. Ran great, idled great as I drove it away. I parked it at my house, and Monday morning it started great. Stopped at the bank a few miles down the road and it took 3 tries to start it. hmmm. Left it at the airport for a week, started fine, drove great to the house. Turned it off, and just for fun tried to start again... Nope--just cranked. 10 minutes later, still no start. After it cooled, it started and I took it back to the dealer. Now they say it needs a new engine.

    My question: they tell me that Mazda requires them to do (most of) the $1000 in fixes before they will replace the engine, and that I'm stuck with that. Is that true? Is it really a warranty repair if I have to pay for a lot of other stuff to get the replacement? Is there a way to recover this money?
  • raptor75raptor75 Member Posts: 7
    Some Mazda's dealers are really [non-permissible content removed] when dealing with the engine replacements. A simple compression test(actually a vacuum test) would have told them that the engine was shot. Many dealers will do this right off. At 47K if the coils and plugs were never replaced it was time to have them replaced. If they already were then I would have an issue with the dealer. When the engine is replaced do not let them try and stick you for other charges, seals, bolts ect.... Some dealers have been known to do this to pad their bill. Mazda will pay them to replace the engine and all parts necessary to do that replacement.

    You could call Mzada corp. (Not the dealer) to complain and ask why they did all this work rather then check the compression. They might refund some of the money. You'll get no where with the dealers so skip him. Just be nice and professional with the rep and see what happens.
  • jamesam1jamesam1 Member Posts: 2
    I'll give it a try. Thanks!
  • theresamgtheresamg Member Posts: 1
    Does replacement engines extend to UK purchasers also? I have just bought an RX8 2004, but the engine only goes if I push start it, despite buying a new starter motor. When the car starts they is no pressure in the engine, it drives but has no power. I suspect I have a lemon engine too!!!
  • danboyle1danboyle1 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2008 RX8 with 33,000 miles on it. My car wouldn't start. I got it to the Mazda dealer, and they said there was a blockage in the catalytic converter that didn't allow all the exhaust to get out and damaged the engine. Now they are going to provide me with a re-manufactured engine with new parts. It's under warranty. My concern is how the new re-manufactured engine will work. I'm wondering whether I should do a straight trade of my RX8 for a Mazda 3 (since I have about $15,000 left on the loan). I wanted to get anyone's opinion on what I should do and if they've ever had an RX8 with a new, re-manufactured engine.
  • raptor75raptor75 Member Posts: 7
    The re-manufactured engines are a crap shoot, some are good some are not. Personally I would not worry about it because of the extended warranty

    http://www.racingbeat.com/manuals/rx8warranty.pdf

    You have a 100K warranty with the engine so if it does fail you are covered. If you want to change it out for other reasons, that is your call.

    Good luck.
  • rottenrotaryrottenrotary Member Posts: 4
    You better get them to replace that catalytic converter too or it won’t be long before the same thing happens again. You cat is covered by the emissions warranty 8years/80k miles.

    However, you may research putting in a replacement pipe. Racing Beat offers 2. I bought mine a while ago and it’s never given me an issue... just a few extra horses ;)
  • zrainerizraineri Member Posts: 1
    Their not lemons you just have to know how to treat the engine. You should have done some more research on it before dropping that kind of money into a car you know nothing about. It has a rotary engine which is a lot different then what most cars have and you have to treat it differently. I own a mazda rx-8 also and have absolutely no problems with it. Before turning off the engine you need to rev it up to roughly 3000 rpms for a few seconds and it will start up perfectly fine the next time. For future reference know what your getting before you buy and it'll save you a lot of time and money.
  • sagy364sagy364 Member Posts: 1
    Someone knows how much psi compression needs to start a engine for a 2004 RX-8?? I will apreciate the info..
  • ClairesClaires Member Posts: 1,222
    edited June 2012
    Sagy, this might be a good question for our Answers section -- some of our members hang out there answering quick questions:
    http://answers.edmunds.com

    After you post your question, you can check for responses by clicking the "my answers profile" link near the top of the page.

    ClaireS, Host
    Automotive News & Views | Coupes & Convertibles

    MODERATOR

    Need help getting around? [email protected] - or send a private message by clicking on my name.

    Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review

  • wsloneckerwslonecker Member Posts: 1
    We have had our RX-8 for about 6 years now and have just started experiencing problems. We have always kept up maintenance and what not. During hot weather we cannot run our A/C or the car will die. That was our first problem, now everytime we start slowing down the car will die, we have replaced the battery with a Optimus and now the car starts right back up however the engine light stays on. It's no surprise if the car dies 2-3 times on us whenever we make a 30 mile trip. I called our Mazda dealership and found out that our car still has the engine warranty and I was told it would be $200 to run diagnositics on the car and if it was engine problems then they would waive the $200 and fix whatever is messed up. I am really leaning towards it being the engine however I hate to take it up there and have them say it's something completely different. We have hooked our diagnostics machine up to the car a few times when the engine light would come on and it has always suggested replacing the engine to fix the problems so hopefully that little machine is right!!
  • strongtreestrongtree Member Posts: 2
    Hi again RX-8 owners,

    responding a year later to my original post regarding trying to get Mazda to replace our engine on the 2004 RX-8. I had spark problems and it wouldn't start. that cost me $750 to find out the engine was bad at the dealership, then $1000 to get the engine replaced. I will say that Mazda does realize they have issues with this year of engine and did replace it. They originally said I had to show that oil changes had been maintained for the first 40,000 miles but I had no way of doing that. After complaining to them they said they would replace it but I had to pay $1000.

    so we replaced it, then the gas tank wouldn't fill correctly at the gas station. the gas pump wouldn't lock and stay on so you had to hold the handle on while filling it and it would click off avery few seconds. getting a full tank took 20 minutes minimum.

    after that the engine light came back on and stayed on most of the time. i traded it in to a dealer at a $4,000 loss from what I paid which includes the cash I put into it.

    i would not buy a rotary engine again and would warn others to seriously research them prior to buying one. Mazda did replace it because they realize they have issues but it's not worth the hassle and cash. i think mazda makes decent cars, just not this year and engine. so beware. that's my story. i read a few posts on here where others are having good luck with them, so good for them. i hope they continue to have good luck, all i can do is report my unfortunate luck and warn others to do their homework.
  • clrx8r3clrx8r3 Member Posts: 1
    Hello all,

    I wanted to see if anyone experiences/ have experienced the same problem as I have. I have a 2009 rx8 r3 package.

    Every time i get on the highway and i go about 70-80 at around 4000 rpm in 6th gear my check engine light goes on.

    If i go faster or slower there is no light.

    Is there anyone that can shed some light on this issue. Is it electrical or do I have a leak somewhere??
  • newtorx8clubnewtorx8club Member Posts: 1
    Hello, you seem to know a lot about these kinds of cars. I actually am getting into a 2004 Rx8. What are some things i need to know about. The dos and donts with rotary engines.
  • trex8trex8 Member Posts: 2
    Did you get a compression check of the rotors? That's what can shed light on the seals.
    Otherwise, use the recommended oil... Stay on top of all maintenance. Seriously, if you have even a slight mechanical ability , you can change plugs, wires, coils yourself... Buy them online for 1/2 dealer price... Took me 2 hours first time... Takes me 30min now.... It's important to replace every 30k miles.
    Check out RX8club.com great group of support there!!
    Good luck! My 2095 has120k!
  • rotaryproblemsrotaryproblems Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2013
    1st motor replacement: 20K miles

    We just had the third motor and cat installed after 60,000 miles under the 100K/8yr extension.
    Symptoms included: Very sluggish during take off, car occasionally dying at stop signs or backing up

    The car was flooded, would not start and needed to be towed. The service department started the motor and ran the diagnostics for compression under the service bulletin (~$350). If the car was drivable and we had driven the car to the service department we would have been charged that fee. They found that the compression was low and eligible for another motor replacement at the cost of Mazda. They also found that the cat had excessive carbon build up.

    Out of pocket expenses: $520
    ~$120 to start motor
    ~$400 for new coils
    ~$20 for a new belt (one of the ribs was broken)

    The cost for motor replacement and cat including labor: ~$7000 (covered by Mazda).

    Service center also recommending replacing coils at cost of owner.

    Issue per the service department: Driving the car like a honda will cause excessive build up in the cat and plug the cat causing the spark plugs to foul and apex seals to fail (aka motor failing).

    Recommendation from service department: Refrain from driving in automatic and drive using the paddle shifters whenever possible or at all times. They also recommended to drive between 3-5000 RPM, the harder you drive it the better it will treat you. On the freeway I can cruise at 75 at about 4000 rpm in third gear. They also suggested not to shut off motor before the car is fully warm, if you do rev engine for 10 seconds at 5000 RPMs.

    Mazda should have installed a transmission with a gear ratio that does not lug the motor.

    Right now the car drives like brand new. Although, I am concerned when the engine will fail (again) and it will likely be out of warranty. For this reason, we may end up selling the car and buying a new one without the rotary problems, or may just drive it until it fails again and sell it at a reduced cost.

    Has anyone filed a lawsuit with Mazda? What was the outcome?
  • 19cobra9419cobra94 Member Posts: 1
    Ok, so I'm an ASE certified technician..but however have never had any serious complaints on one to have a lot of knowledge about this engine so I wanted to see if anyone can shed light to my issuDeceleratione...it's a 2005 model, only at De acceleration that the engine makes a noise like a baseball card in bicycle spokes,, but goes away upon acceleration....I'm just getting into the diagnostics and thought about trying this for my first time to see what somebody else may have experienced like this...thanks
  • bobs_rx8_lemonbobs_rx8_lemon Member Posts: 2
    If you own an RX8, please read this message.

    From time to time I've experienced many of the issues discussed here. I've had the car stall on a hill. I've had difficult starting. I have stalled at traffic lights. I've experienced rough idling. And a lack of acceleration. These things didn't happen often and occurred over a period of months. I thought it first it was bad gas. I use premium.

    To make a long story short, after having read comments in the RX8 club forum, I went to the dealership and had a compression test. My car went out of warranty on April 24 less than one month ago. The dealership wants me to pay $5500 for a new engine. I've contacted Mazda corporate and they're adamant that they will do nothing for me. They won't even prorate the repair. I tried to explain that I'm 97 months into the engine and for the lack of four weeks out of eight years they're punishing me.

    I'm on a crusade to see that every RX eight owner whose car is in warranty knows how important it is to get the compression test done while it's still in warranty and get a new engine. If you know of any other places where I can post this message to reach Mazda owners before they wind up like me, please let me know.

    Bob
  • janine777janine777 Member Posts: 1
    My first clue of impending engine failure was at about 23,000 miles when I turned on the air conditioner and hot air started pouring out of the vents. A mechanic at my local dealer mentioned that was an early warning sign of a misfire issue, which when I challenged it with the service manager, they denied.

    One day, after about 45,000 trouble free miles, my check-engine light came on. After a diagnostic, my mechanic suggested I take it to a dealer, that there was a misfire warranty issue and there might be a recall. My local dealer start to back-pedal (the ones that had first insisted I had no motor issue at 23,000 miles) so I took it to a different dealer further away. They replaced my engine promptly after running some specific required tests. They made me replace the motor mounts and clutch at my own expense, which was pricey, but the car has been fine ever since.

    One thing that happened recently was the driver's side visor cracked in two while I was driving, and was dangling dangerously in front of my face by some wires. I had no choice but to pull it free. This took out much of the security system and dashboard readings. I was alarmed at the number of reports of the same thing, and it appeared to be a safety issue, however Mazda was not recalling cars to replace these. The replacement visor was over $300. and had to be special ordered, so I ordered an identical visor from an after-market competitor for $66 and free shipping.

    The RX8 is clearly not the car the RX7 was. I had two of those, and loved them. I'm hoping this is the last of my problems.
  • tomb10tomb10 Member Posts: 4
    has anyone gotten over 100000 miles on their rx8 engine without any problems.My 2004 has 53000 miles on it with no engine problem except for an emissions leak problem.Thanks
  • trex8trex8 Member Posts: 2
    Yes. I have 118,000 and no problems! I drive the he%?* out of her every day.
    I've maintained her by the manual. I seriously red line her every day and I do rev her to 5000 RPM then pull the key. I've never done the carbon build up clean out procedure with the Mazda product or Seafoam but Im curious and may do it soon.
    check out RX8club.com there's a thread there specifically for 100,000 milers. One even claims 170,000. That's what I'm shooting for!
  • jacquedjacqued Member Posts: 1
    Same problem here..under 70, 000 miles on my 05 RX8...Dealer was useless....Mazda rejected my claim for help... I love the body of the car and the pretty interior..wonder if I could put a Honda engine in it, lolol..Sure wish I read all of this before I bought my car...People think I am nuts when I tell them, my car needs to rest for a good while before I can restart it...Cannot run errands with this car..Dealer did the carbon clean out with no results to show...Oh well...
  • raptor75raptor75 Member Posts: 7
    Jacqued,
    I think you have some bad information, why do you have to let your RX rest for a good while? The flooding issue is not related to the car resting. It is related to a cold engine. If you start the car and move it a few feet then shut it down you might flood it, either let it warm up a bit or rev it to 5000rpm and kill the engine while at 5000rpm. This will blow any un-burnt gas out of the engine and prevent a flooded engine. Letting your car sit will accomplish absolutely nothing.
  • bobs_rx8_lemonbobs_rx8_lemon Member Posts: 2
    Yes, revving the engine after a short trip works fine. My prob was a dealer diagnosed need for a replacement engine AFTER being 2 mos out of warranty on a known issue that Mazda does not talk about. A $6,000 problem.
  • howmanhowman Member Posts: 2
    Per rev to 5000. I don't. I rev to just over 3000 at warm shut down. My RX-8 had only one no start incident. But that was because I went on vacation for a week when the RX-8 battery was already low.

    I'm the original owner of a 2005 RX-8 AT that has 147,500 on the original engine. I've changed the oil at 5000 to 6000 mostly. I had a compression check at 97,000 and the Mazda tech typed into the results, "Fantastic compression, doesn't get any better than this." But the numbers were low by the chart when I checked.

    My RX-8 easily gets 21 MPG combined if I drive conversatively. I top off the tank every single day and never let the tank get below half empty. I drive 80MPH regularly, but I never drag race getting on the highway. Perfer to use 3rd with the paddle shifting nice and smooth. RX-8s are pathetic highway racers anyway, but on/off ramps can be taken at highway speeds lots of times if no one is in front of you.

    Only one set of coils and plugs have been change out at 120,000. I did the change out myself with a few wrench monkey friends. Researched and bought the parts myself for $250 total. Quite an easy job once you get the damn air filter box out of the way.

    My daily 80 mile round trip commute from Clinton MA to Boston allows a high rev or two, but never to the red line. I paddle shift alot, and cautiously downshift at low RPMS all the time to keep from lugging the engines. I don't, however, worry about doing 40MPH in 3rd and even 4th because if I use 2nd heat will build up. Heat is the number enemy of the rotary I feel. Carbon buildup can be handled by occasional revving.

    Now idle issues have been bugging me in the recent hot weather. Runnning AC on high all the times seems to be teaching the ECU to keep idle up. But I may be getting into that low compression range. I've got $4000 saved for a new engine just in case.
  • raptor75raptor75 Member Posts: 7
    Ouch, Mazda is a real pain to deal with on there engine replacements. A lot depends on the dealers service department and unfortunately on an industry bases Mazda's customer service is rated very poor. The fact that Mazda had extended the warranty to begin with makes them even less likely to work with you.

    The only words of advise I can give now is have your compression checked if your running towards the end of your warranty. I plan to have mine checked in the fall despite having no signs of an engine issue. This is a little late to help you though.
  • howmanhowman Member Posts: 2
    Just rolled,through 148,000 yesterday on my 2005 RX-8 AT.

    Had a bit trouble in the last month, though.

    Hard starting, was completely fixed with a battery replacement. Only the second battery.

    Then rough idle, and inability to run AC in the 90 degree heat wave without keeping my foot on the gas, was driving me nuts. I fell back to my old philosophy, replace the cheapest reasonable thing possible. Iridium spark plug, though not cheap, was still the most likely thing since the current plugs had 36,000 on them. And BINGO, idle held on and AC didn't lug after replacing the plugs. Took three days, to truly get the extra carbon blown out of the engine, with revs to 5700 RPM, once or twice each drive cycle.

    There's a rattle in the exhaust at idle, that sometimes turns to a cough. Maybe needs a new Cat or a muffler. The rattle is loud right out of the pipe, so I'm thinking muffler. Do Cats even rattle?

    I've go some Sears points to spend on a new set of Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires. Love these tires. They've got 40,000 and still have the DW wear marks. The midline of the tires is down to the ware bars though, because I kept the tire pressure at 32lb. I'm going to keep tire pressure at 28lb. from now on, to he'll with MPG. Although MPG, does not seem to suffer to much with the tires at 28lb.
  • kfishy76kfishy76 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2013
    I have 176,000 miles and my Apex seals on rotor two just broke and trashed my engine. I never have changed plugs or coils but I believe that if I did it would still be running great to this day. It was starting to stall and die. Hard starts and the ac would blow hot sometimes.

    So keep up on the routine maintenance and drive it like you stole it once in a while. Figure spending $300 every 30-40k miles for coils and plugs from eBay but it's a good investment. It's gonna be $5500 for new engine. Hope this helps. ;)
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