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Mazda RX-8 Problems and Solutions
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While at it, they performed three outstanding recalls. In the worksheet everything is in code so don't know exactly what they are. (The codes are: 3305G, 3405G, 4206F) There are parts listed for two of them, so I can guess what they are. (pad insulation and plugs) I also asked about the one recently talked about on this board - vacuum test and they said they did that, too. I guess my car passed that test and the service advisor said even if it fails the test, it does not mean the total replacement of the engine. Hmm...
Anyway, my RX-8 runs like new again. No vibration whatsoever and the acceleration is back to what it was like when I first test-drove it. I was losing my faith in it but well... I must admit it is quirky, huh?
I want to hear people's opinion on one thing now. I am going to move back to my home country, Korea and thinking about shipping my car. But alas, it turns out Mazda does not have a distributor in Korea. Does this mean I can't get service in Korea? Should I give up the idea of bringing my beloved red hottie?
Anyway, it's hard to believe but from Mazda's website, that is what I found out. I have posted a question about it on a Korean message board about cars and waiting for more answers. Some said there is Ford Korea, which in the past distributed Mazda cars like 626, so getting parts won't be a problem. I would think one can order parts from Mazda in Japan directly but I am wondering diagnosing problems and actually servicing the car would be easy for any mechanic who is not trained specifically for RX-8, which is also a very sophisticated, computerized car.
It sounded huge when it first got announced, but it seems as though they are not gonna be replacing a bunch of our engines (and credit to pathstar who predicted that, I believe).
It would seem to me that RX-8 AT's might not get recalled at all. I drive fairly aggressively and I must say, the electric fan that runs after switching the engine off, has only been running maybe half dozen times in the middle of the hottest part of the summer. I think the Renesis in the RX-8 AT just inherently stay cooler. Does that make sense to anyone else?
I purchased it used in Jan. '06 and have had absolutely no problems with it. Took it in for the PCM flash, and now the car seems to "lag" a bit, or there is a slight delay for full throttle and not as much throttle response.
It could also all be in my head - i'm not sure yet.
Anyone else feel this way?
Manual mode 1st to 2nd shifts are the hardest to time smoothly, but built up to 5000RPM for best results mostly. 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to forth shifts are rare but usually very smooth as they are highway on and off ramp related.
I have seen 2nd to 3rd in full automatic mode appear to get completely stuck until the acceleration and or decelaration subsides.
I haven't done it, but I bet if you turn off the DSC, things will definitely work more directly.
The car seems to rev a lot smoother between 7k-redline and the stock exhaust note seems to be a litle higher in pitch.
This is my first rotary powered car and I have enjoyed every minute behind the wheel. My car qualified for the extended power train warranity so I feel confident about Mazda is backing their product.
My year old 2005 RX-8 AT has been running great since day one. I call her my therapy car.
He's what I'm going to formally ask my dealer in a letter.
1) Can I continue receiving tests for the remainder of my extended warranty period? Within reason, say once a year.
2) Can I receive a reasonable discount on a brand new RX-8 AT six speed, same config as my current model if a problem develops, rather than getting a new engine? Reasonable price is true invoice price I think.
3) What are the symptoms of the official "Lose of power" at issue? Slight or stunning significant lose of power?
4) Where are most of the car show signs of the problem located. Everywhere or just hot regions.
5) What other questions should I ask. I love the car. But I'm not wealthy enough to be foolish about this.
All I know for sure, is if I start driving my RX-8 before the the "Screaming whistle" noise stops, there will be a very pronounced popcorn/rattle from the exhaust system the moment I put the car in drive position. The popcorn/rattle appears to be normal in the RX-8 AT as the engine and PCM are trying to take gear selection into account. The PCM in the RX-8 AT isn't able perfectly balance the fuel/air mixture because of the AT, so the excess gas pops in the exhaust system. Popcorn/rattle happens all the time at low RPM, especially in stop and go traffic.
But I don't need perfection, and god knows I don't care about gas millage numbers, but I do absolutely need my paddle shifted RX-8 AT. My clutch knee and ankle are shot from 15 years of sticking it so paddle shifting through the city traffic jams, is the only way to drive....
My wife's RX 8 is a 2005 6 speed where as yours is an automatic.
In this connection the screaming whistle sound in our RX 8 only begins after it reaches the hot operating temperature and continues until the motor is shut off at the end of the trip.
For your info, I had commented to the chief mechanic that I would have bought an Automatic transmission RX 8, but due to all the problems we had heard owners were having with the automatics we bought a six speed manual stick instead.
Interesting enough, the mechanic said the 2006 and later model automatics should not have the same problem as the 2005 automatic models. The 2006 automatic car computers have been updated to handle the 6 speed automatic transmission instead of using the automatic 4 speed computer controls for the 6 speed automatic, as Mazda did for 2005. Well what do you know Mazda/Ford knew all along what was causing the problem while they acted surprised with the customer. They must have known this as they sold them this way.
It appears like if one can not put up with lots of flim flam service claims and can not afford to put up with incompentant car design and inflated labor repair times you should not buy an RX 8 even if it looks neat.
If it was not my wife's car and she likes it I would have got rid it months ago.
I've never really heard the 2004-2005 RX-8 AT described as a 4 speed control of a 6 speed tranny, but I guess I can see why. Essentially the 3rd and 4th gears both have automatic over drive gears.
Not sure if any of this matter much though, because the practical reality of the rotary's low torque means you always need to shift down for performance so driving the 3rd in manual mode and having the AT automatically shift to a lower gear from 3rd's over drive is actually quite nice. The 4th gear and it's over drive are only useful for highway.
I had heard about the six speed computer controled AT before I bought mine. I also read all about the issues with the AT. I think engine differences 197HP vs 212HP point to tweeks that might be good but not significant enough for me. The torque numbers are actually a bit higher in the 197HP 2004-5 AT and the gas millage is identical. I'll definitely take the higher torque however small.
I have heard no problematic sounds, popcorn or otherwise. Nothing has broken on the car...the sun visors are working perfectly. While the gas mileage is not great, I do not worry about it...I don't drive a lot (19,000 km on the clock. That's just under 12,000 miles for those not sure about kms). If I were doing a long daily commute, I would choose another car, I think, but I don't and I won't.
I have had to add very little oil between oil changes but note the point made my others here that the most recent recall changes might lead to more oil use. I will be more vigilant but the dealer made no reference to the issue at that last recall service.
I run the car all year around and use snow tires in the winter. The car works wonderfully in the snow...as long as it is not too deep. I live in Southern Ontario where, in my view, the winters are truly baby winters (I come from Edmonton so I know what a real winter is like); I have never had any problems starting the car in the cold and have had never flooded the car.
The car is a delight to drive. Like Trispec I learned early on to operate in manual mode using the paddles to shift gears. I have taken it on a few long distance trips and found the vehicle very comfortable and relaxing. It is nimble and agile in traffic and, as long as the revs are kept high enough, it has the power to quickly move one out of any danger. In city driving I am rarely out of the first two gears and on the local regional roads I rarely go beyond third gear. The fourth gear is used only on the freeway.
Because of all the worry about flooding with this car, I have been wondering why Mazda cannot do something with the car's already pretty sophisticated computers to prevent the car from turning off if it is in danger of flooding. I think it should be easy to have the computer ignore the driver's instruction to shut down the engine (turning off the key). The computer could easily set off a signal warning the driver to wait a little longer before shutting down the engine so the failure to shut down would not be confusing. The computer won't let the AT shift down if the engine speed is too high and it beeps at you when you run the revs too high. Surely, they could figure out a way to use the computer to deal with the flooding.
I have learned a good deal from the postings on this site and have gained much by pathstar1's knowledge and wisdom. Thanks to all.
My oil consumption is fairly steady at a quart every 1500 miles of city driving. I'm on a long trip from Boston, MA to the mountains of North Carolina. Still getting 23MPG at 80MPH plus.
But I love this car way to much. I drove 7 hours on Sunday and I just wanted more more more. It's really unbelievable how much fun my RX-8 AT is.
My car passed with flying colors (I have a 2005 6-speed manual). I asked about the failure rate and was told that they had only had 3 failures - and all were 2004s. I hope that's a good sign.
It does get kind of discouraging when I read of the problems on this forum. Mine has been virtually flawless. Maybe it's mostly those with problems who are doing the posting?
Thanks!