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Mazda RX-8 Problems and Solutions
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A little more info.
1. When I wash the vehicles I also carefully wash under the hood - there isn't anything you can hurt, in my experience. Be sure to wash the battery top - just in case some acid vapour gets out. The RX-8 stock batteries don't seem to be very well made, and they tend to vent a bit. Keeping them washed should keep the corrosion of the terminals to a minimum.
2. I don't like the silicone based products that are supposed to protect the dash. It seems to me they cause more harm than good. I just use a damp cloth on the dash and instrument panel plastic to remove dust. I like the Zaino products, including the car polish (3 step system) and the leather cleaner and conditioner for the seats. Once you have the car polish on the car, bugs are easy to clean off. They just rinse off with a hose! The Zaino is the best thing you can do to make the car look great! When cleaning or polishing, move the cloth/glove fore/aft on horizontal surfaces and up/down on vertical surfaces. Any time you touch the car you scratch it, usually too fine to notice. If you make sure you use "linear" motions they are very hard to see. If you use circular motions they can be seen from any angle.
3. Check tire pressure at least once a month - and before any long highway trip. Check first thing in the morning, before the sun warms up the two tires facing it. One procedure suggested in the "tires, tires, tires" forum here, is to fill the tires about 4 PSI high on the way home, then first thing in the morning, let air out to the correct pressure.
4. I always carry an extra quart of oil with me. Use it on the next change (or between changes if necessary) and replace it with a new container. That way it will not get old. I also carry a plastic gallon container of potable water, "just in case". It can be used for drinking, coolant refill in case of boilover, "emergency cleaning" such as a dirty bird, and even in case of minor fire.
Some tips old age and lots of mistakes have taught me.
Glad you mentioned the paint care. When I bought my 8 in March, it had been setting on the lot under a bridge and, I'm assuming, it was covered with pigeon poop debris. A lot of black spots that were rough to the touch and did not come off with regular washing. I got info over in the Zaino forum and used the clay bar on it. That took most of it off, but it really needs it again and then a really good protective finish. Just as you mentioned about weather, the first half of April was beautiful and then we had about 3 weeks of snow, cold rain and blah. Not a good time to work on the car.
I wondered about washing under the hood - it's really dusty under there. Once again, with our weather starting to improve somewhat, I hope to get some of these things done for it.
Thanks again for the info. I love my 8 and have had 0 problems with it and want to keep it that way!!
*I re-read all of the posts regarding winter tires and my question is... Do I need to purchase wheels/rims as well as tires too? Or, can I get by with a just a good set of tires only, (Blizzak LM-22's or LM-25's) without replacing the factory issued rims/wheels?
**Any info on bra-pricing for the RX8? Maybe I did not search the posts carefully enough, but I would like to protect the nose of the car from paint chips/bugs/etc.
I have never received so many thumbs up signs/waves/ or salutes from people driving Mercedes/BMW's/Jags--Not to many RX8's in Chicago--its nice to stand out from the rest of the crowd-especially when I paid thousands less!
trussvillemazda.com has a list of all mazda accessories. I have seen the bras listed on e-bay as well. Keep in mind, they can damage your paint as well - you need to keep them really clean where they rub against the car.
Enjoy it!!
The 3M clear vinyl is available cut for the RX-8 - the kit includes pieces for the side mirrors. Check with detailing places such as Ming. You can see this stuff on the car (it covers the entire front up to and including a few inches of the hood), but it works very well. If anything forceful strikes the paint, such as a sharp rock, it can tear the vinyl, but the paint usually survives, and the vinyl can be removed or repaired. Most people can only see the line where it ends when it is pointed out to them. I have it on all my vehicles. Standard "bras" can damage paint, the vinyl does not and is practically invisible, so you get to enjoy the lines of the car more.
There are (at least) two ways the rotary is similar to a two stroke piston engine.
1. It is piston (rotor) ported, so has some similar sounds.
2. It likes to be USED. As long as you don't overheat it or run it low on oil, hard use is good for it. Keeps it cleaned out!
By hard use, I mean using the HP. I don't mean mistreating it.
What is this idle start thing? Do not push the gas when starting or it will flood? I was told to drive it normal if not 'zippy' for peak performance by the salesman. I just want to baby my baby from the start. It's coming w/ 500 miles on it. Would that be a concern?
Thanks for any advice~!
Please be sure to share your purchase experience in Mazda RX-8: Prices Paid & Buying Experience.
I check on different forums and it seems to be a issue. did you check with the other 2 who had the same problem if the serial is near you. This car is so great now hope I will not have those issue.
Of course, I have to wonder if the automatic 8's are more prone to engine issues than the MT.
My father-in-law swears that he would never buy a 1st year of a new car, but I'll have to say that I am not sorry I did. I LOVE MY 8!
I'm on my 3rd time at the dealership in the past 2 1/2 months, and they don't seem to KNOW what the problem is. I'm very frustrated with it - even though I love the car. I'm awaiting a response now.
After this visit I plan to take further action, as it's just too much to pay for a vehicle that I can't depend on.
I have an 04 with just under 8K miles.
I have found that the pedal has to be pushed about 75% of its travel before the clutch is fully disengaged to allow a gear change. This makes for slower shifts and more missed shifts. Is there an adjustment?
Thanks
Do I have to go to the dealer, or is this something I can attempt at home? Is it a mechnical adjustment of the pedal box, or more involved. I am somewhat mechanically inclined and prepared to tackle a reasonable project. Maybe its time to pick up a maintenance manual?
I appreciate the feedback.
It should be a warrenty item, so unless you have very strange tastes for clutch operation (racer perhaps?) the dealer can fix you up.
Thanks for the help, it sounds managable. As it turns out the car has to go in for other reasons so I will ask them to take a look at it, I will still probably have a go at it myself unless they get it right the first time.
The problem is more ergonomic in nature, the steering wheel/seat/ pedal relationship is such that given my proportions (5' 9" average build) I cannot get a really comfortable driving position. To get the clutch pedal all the way down puts me too close to the wheel.
As for racing btw, I did the 3 day Skip Barber IMSA course a few years ago at Laguna Seca and can thoroughly recommend it but would never drive my "red devil" on public road like that (although certain skills do come in handy!).
Thanks again.
I dont think I need to go the addition of a pedal extention but I appreciate the offer.
Obviouly the best solution would be to have a telescoping steering column but that would also add weight and cost.
For any other owners in S. NE., Vachon in S. Attleboro, MA is my dealer and so far they have been very good,
I have had my AT RX-8 for about a year and a half now (2004 model). I recently took it in for service because of a loud crack noise (like a firecracker) that occurred intermittently when I got it up to aout 5000 RPMs. It would also rapidly lose power until I took my foot off the acclerator and drove at lower RPMs.
The diagnosis was that the seals were not working properly, allowing gasoline to leak into other engine areas and "detonate." Mazda is now replacing the entire engine for me for free.
My car only has 50,000 miles and I'm already getting a new engine for it. Has anyone else had this problem? I did a serach and saw some info on it, but didn't see anyone actually having the problem described.
They asked what octane gasoline I was using and I assured them that the lowest was 92 octane and usually was 93. They also asked if I regularly ran my engine at high RPMs as the RX8 needs it to reduce carbon build up.
I'm worried aout this happening again at 100,000 so any info. is appreciated.
P.S. I absolutely love the car so this is really not a rant so much as a "What can I expect?" type post.
not really a problem per say but could be if I start using the SM GF4
Manual calls for SAE 5W-20 API SL (GF3)
June 2004 a better SAE 5W-20 API SM (GF4) was introduced
Does anyone know if using the newer SM GF4 will effect warranty?
Any help on this "problem"?
Thanks
Rich :lemon:
I live in CO and have been running snow tires, Hankook Ice Bear W300 18" 40/225, sold by Discount Tire work great around $165 each.
Rich
Typically happens when warmer, but I've had it happen on colder days as well. Same symptoms as you said: begin to feel loss of power underfoot and a slightly different tenor to engine sound, give it gas...nothing, downshift...nothing...starts knocking and clattering and becomes anemic...can't get out of my own way. I've told dealers it's like I'm suddenly driving under water and it sounds like something's going to blow.
VERY frustrating as you note, and embarrassing. I love the car, but would consider selling it BUT who would buy it if it did that on their test drive. Trading it in of course would result in a financial bath. So basically stuck with a car that would be a dream for years to come...if it only ran right and up to par. I'm worried either the engine's going to completely self destruct (and they'll make it my fault and $$$) or Mazda has decided this condition is simply the owners' to bear for the early generation cars. At this point I'd pay for someone to fix what's wrong...but dealers either act ignorant of problem, or say it's up to Mazda North America to develop a fix. A year and a half later the latter hasn't come close to happening.
What city are you in? I'm interested in calling large dealerships in other parts of the country to get their take and see if they'll at least acknowledge the problem...perhaps that would carry some sway with the inept dealerships here.
Would greatly appreciate any solutions based experiences from other owners having this same problem and how they got it resolved. Or at least, knowing I'm not alone here in Denver with a terminal performance problem that dealerships simply shrug their shoulders at. My gut says Honda dealers wouldn't do that for an S2000.
thanks,
Mark
Mazda finally agreed to replace my engine Mazda is being very tight lipped about the problems. I think they had a group of bad engines. You really need to talk to Mazda and not the dealership. They sid my problem had to do with carbon deposits one day prior to my 24000 check up the car stalled out 4 times and I almost had to have it towed. :lemon:
Have them check that.
Mazda agreed to replace the engine because it was pre-detonating (that's the sharp firecracker sound followed by power loss). according to my dealership, this is caused by carbon build up which breaks down the seals.
This build up can be caused by the following things:
using low octane fuel (always use premium)
not revving the motor up regularly.
not keeping up on the oil
I purchased the AT because I do alot of driving and hate shifting in traffic. apparently the AT is the problem. It tends to shift at about 3-4000 RPM's and I was told that I need to get my car to the redline point at least 2x daily to blow the carbon out of the engine. this requires you to use the sequential shifter as the AT will shift long before that.
Needless to say, I am disappointed with my RX8 right now. had I known that his was a problem, I would have purchased the manual transmission and had more horsepower. I will be talking to Mazda about this.
It's sad that I have to run my AT in manual daily or my engine will die again.
I have also been told (by a Mazda mechanic) that Mazda is not quite sure what is really causing the problem and they tear apart every engine that comes back trying to find out what it is.
Until we hear something else you might as well assume it is the carbon build up.
Jason
The engine must be hot (i.e. driven for a substantial length of time), the A/C should be on and rev it to about 5-6000 RPM's when driving. It will not reproduce when in neutral at those RPM's. I live in Georgia, so it is easy to get the engine hot. you might have difficulty in colder climates, but run it hard for awhile and it should make the noise with the A/C on.
Jason
I finally decided to throw in the towel before the general public found out how bad they were and not have any re-sale value.
I traded it for a real sports car (Z4)
I have nothing but contempt for the car and for mazda, and will NEVER consider any of their products again.
donalds - I am also saddened by your experience. However, like I said above, after 32K miles, the only issues I have had have been minor. I am surprised that your Lemon Law case didn't do anything - it seems that you got one. That being said, enjoy the Z4. (I have issues with your "real sports car" comment, but here is not the place to discuss!)
As I've said before, my 8 is the best damn car I've owned - power, comfort, control - all great in this car.
Living in SouthFL myself, I've never experienced trouble with my 8 (AT) in all this heat. I've only 3K miles though and have an important question for you....Do you experience any excessive vibration or "rumbling" when idle or stopped for traffic lights? It's not extremely disturbing but definitely enough to take notice of. If you turn the AC off it seems to be even more pronounced. This is something i've experienced only after 2K miles and having been told by Mazda service that this is "normal", I have a hard time believing this simply because when i bought the car 3 months ago this sensation wasn't present. I'd really appreciate your reply because this is the first car I've ever owned that I absolutely love and want to know truthfully exactly what to expect here.
Paddle away, bro,
nice to hear your experience has been great.
-B ">
However, the new one seems to be working OK. Perhaps I'm just imagining things, but this engine does not sound the same as the original one. Do all rotaries sound the same? maybe my first was a dud.
Jason
I bought my RX 8 AT last year November, I feared no problems at all until now, I notice some "rumbling" when i shift into reverse. I have always bought best gas only from Shell or Mobil. Usually most cars shake and rumble when the back up on higher grounds, but mine keeps on rumbling more worse. It only has 6K miles on it, do u guys experience the same defects? And I think im beginning to hear some noise from the engine, when i reach 5000RPM, it sounds like lil crack, or click. I hear you guys have experienced same defects. please help me what should i do? I love my car.
CB.
I would imagine that if the car didn't vibrate/rumble when you bought it and now it does, something is amiss. PathStar might be able to provide more insight to as what might be wrong - he is the mightiest of RX mechs!!......
I hope that your issues get resolved - the RX8 is a wonderful car to drive!
maybe it was already there..just didnt notice it till i started to drive with
windows down. Also..sometime..i hear this tumbling and cluncking noise from
bottom of the engine....sometimes i also hear these puttering noise also seems to be comming from bottom of the engine which only happens occasionally, not always...sounds almost like the cat conv is leaking..but then if that was the case would hear this noise all the time.
I really dont feel like i have a new car when i hear all these noises...once i sytarted my RX8..forgot something @ the office and got out while the car was running..while walking way from the car..i would hear these noises comming from my baby and it just sounded like a 10 year old POS...
and for vibrations..yes my car does vibrate...funny thing is..it does not vibrate as much as before. when i first purchased the car, it ran smooth, even @ idle
after about 800 - 1200 miles or so (do not remeber exactly when it started) my girl firend pointed it out for me..asked "why is this car shaking so much"
my reply was "because it is a sports car".....acting like it is normal yet knowing that this was something of a new problem (my g/f wanted me to stick with a reliable Honda accord...v6 with 6speed....screw that!)
well, as i was saying before, it is very warm here in GA now..and my car does not vibrate as much as it use to...the shifter knob still shakes..but not the car.
all these things normal??...pathstar should have all the answers
Jason
Unlike your lack of response by the many dealers you have gone to, I have been very lucky in the way that I have been treated throughout this whole situation. I have been without my car for almost a month, but at least hopefully the car will run appropriately in the end. By the way, Mazda is very aware of this problem. Maybe you can contact them directly.
Also, some early 2004's seem to have problems that other 04's are not. Did Mazda make any big changes mid year? Like if you have a second half 04, you have some upgrades...?