Is it me or does the Rx-8 make some bizarre engine, transmission and suspension noises. I hear all sorts of sounds while driving. More so then a piston car.

Anyone else?

You are so right !!! I've noticed a few times, it sounds like parts are falling off...As long as I can safely go 130...I'm not gonna worry too much !!!!!

Your right! I've got clicking to the right, clickling to the left, a caajunk backing up, a squeak in the seat, a tranny rattle at idle, of course repeated chimes @ 9000 rpm just to keep my attention focused... if I don't follow quickly enough the sweet wail of the rotary! Still, it's not all noise... a lot of that is rotary music to my ears!

But, seriously, I think the noises are only so obvious to us driving the car as it is so unusually quiet for a sports car. Higher engine, exhaust, and road noise could mask most everything, an does in many cars.

Still my two other cars are not close to being so dramatic as my RX-8. Kinda fits the 'back from adversity' lineage though don't you think?

It's difficult to see why the transmission and suspension would be producing more strange noises than on a piston car. Engine yes but not those. I don't know what cars you guys have had before but sports cars do tend to be more "talkative" than regular cars. They're designed that way. Record some sound clips or describe them better and someone might be able to tell you what's going on...

I get a few noises from the front suspension and here's one.

Roll over some turtles in a city lane with your left tires, roll window down. Major rattling noise. Sounds like the brake dust cover that backs the rotors, or some thin piece of alumunum that's not bolted down.

Gonna crawl under her tomorrow and check it out more.

i rarely listen to the radio or cd player because i love to hear the sound of those rotors doing their thing. however upon acceleration i hear what sounds like a slight pinging sound. not sure if it's actually pinging or something else.

Anyone else hear fluid moving around. Sounds like its coming from right behind the stereo.

Originally posted by Jump120MPH
Anyone else hear fluid moving around. Sounds like its coming from right behind the stereo.

Air-Con coolant system.

You can clearly hear the transmission because you're practically sitting on top of it. Normal thing.

syntrix-I too have heard the "jingling" on the left side of the car when rollin over lane reflectors. Let us know if you identify the cause, I unfortunately do not have a jack worthy of getting under the car.

Damn, stupid emails for replies to posts.

Ok, I was gonna pull the bumpers and take some shots, but I guess I'll have to take a wheel off instead.

Glad that I'm not the only one noticing this!

Yup, it's the aluminum stone guards right behind the rotor making all the noise.

It doesn't apear that they are loose, just one BIG thin piece that makes noise.

I just jacked up the car. I'm gonna take the wheel and rotor off and check it some more.....

back in a few ;)

Rattling from front left solved!

New topic and pic here:

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13410

Hum, I first noticed that after I took my front wheel off and put it back on again...

Lee: I know you've taken your rims off quite a few times like me, I wonder if we knocked something out-of-place or bent the Al peice just enough to rattle like that?


Edit: Never mind, must be all the vegas rocks and crap on our roads around here... I'll check mine tomorrow...

Dan, see above, we are posting at the same time. Refreshy, I just added descriptoins to the shots.

Also, I was getting some squeal from the brakes of late, and I think this is all from last weekend (see my "dirty RX8" post in the pics forum)

I have also noticed noises from the sterring when making 3/4 turns for a full stop. I plan to address it with the dealer when I take it in to have my assessories installed.

I have an odd one which sounds like its coming from the center console. Sounds more like the clink of 2 glasses that I hear when I brake or accelerate. But last night when I was filling up I heard it while standing still. I think its from the passenger seat (my sister was sitting in it while at the gas station). anyone else hear this?

everytime I start it in the morning the engine is loud (well any cold car is loud when first started). it's like at first there's a ping or click sound then a gush of air. it will go on for minutes or maybe everytime I'm idle.

Does anybody know what this mean?

KTM-316 -

If the gush of air you're talking about is in conjunction with a whirring noise that begins when you start the cold engine, and continues for about a minute, (or longer if air temps are cold) you are hearing the auxiliary electric air pump on the engine.

This pump provides extra air to help burn off the "bad stuff" in the exhaust until the catalyst heats up enough to control the unburned hydrocarbons itself.

You may or may not know, older rotaries had an engine driven mechanical pump for a similar purpose, but it was driven constantly, added more weight, and took up more space under the hood.

If the gush of air you're talking about is in conjunction with a whirring noise that begins when you start the cold engine, and continues for about a minute, (or longer if air temps are cold) you are hearing the auxiliary electric air pump on the engine.

*sigh* great! thanks KKMmaniac. I thought it was something serious

Originally posted by RX-GR8
i rarely listen to the radio or cd player because i love to hear the sound of those rotors doing their thing. however upon acceleration i hear what sounds like a slight pinging sound. not sure if it's actually pinging or something else.

I too have noticed a slight "pinging" when I accelerate. It's been very cold around here lately (around 15F). Anyone know what this might be? I'm going to inform the dealer about it when I go back next week.

Originally posted by RX-GR8
i rarely listen to the radio or cd player because i love to hear the sound of those rotors doing their thing. however upon acceleration i hear what sounds like a slight pinging sound. not sure if it's actually pinging or something else.
I think I know what you mean. At first I thought it was transmission rattle, but then I tried opening the window and it was obvious the sound was coming from the exhaust.

The thing is, if you listen to it with the window down it sounds louder but it also sounds much more like a normal exhaust sound. I think it is just that the sound insulation keeps most of this noise out and what does get through can sound a little strange.

BTW, does anyone else get a rubbing/hissing noise from the brake pedal when they depress it? It also feels like there is a fair bit of friction there too. Is this because it's new? (I've only done 400 miles so far).

Guys, all abt sounds n noises. My 8 (or mayb all 8s) experience this 'tinking' sound when moving. It's loudest in the morning when i 1st start it. Sound comes on when i'm engaged in gear, sound disappear as soon as i disengege. Hmm.....The more i acelerate, the faster the 'tinking' sound. Cun seem to find where it's coming from. BTW, i've got my car for 13 days oreadi.

Originally posted by KKMmaniac
KTM-316 -

If the gush of air you're talking about is in conjunction with a whirring noise that begins when you start the cold engine, and continues for about a minute, (or longer if air temps are cold) you are hearing the auxiliary electric air pump on the engine.
I always wait for this to stop before taking off. Is this necessary?

SingRX8:

Considering my 8 is an AT, the first gear "pinging" doesn't apply. I'm bringing my 8 in Friday for the dealer to review. Along with the moisture in the rear brake lights and rattling coming from the passanger door. Hopefully they can take care of these "little" querks. :)

yea...hope all can be iron out as soon as u visit ur dealer. As for me, i guess i'll wait for the 1500km mark, get my oil changed and will consult my workshop guy on the funny sounds. Let's hope these noise n sounds we hear are normal...:)

Originally posted by my10ae
I too have noticed a slight "pinging" when I accelerate. It's been very cold around here lately (around 15F). Anyone know what this might be? I'm going to inform the dealer about it when I go back next week.

I alos hear what sounds like a very soft piston-engine pinging sound from the right front when under constant speed. It comes and goes and isn't related to throttle application. With the window down and driving beside a wall or other sound-reflecting barrier, I don't hear it at all. I think it may be a part of the catalytic system, e.g. something inside the exhaust, or else just wind noise around some piece up front.

According to my dealer, the "pinging/rattling" sound is normal. The tech took out another auto 8 and it sounded the same. Just cause they both make the sound makes it right?? :confused: I will keep an eye (and ear) out on this issue and report it back if it gets worse.

Both tailights were replaced under warranty because of moisture in them and the door rattle could not be replicated. :(

Oh well...everything is documented by my dealer so if it continues, they will know about it.

That is all. Gotta run out and get her washed...she's FILTHY!! :o

I also notice a "cachunk" a couple of seconds into backing up when I first get started. Most of the sounds the car makes I love.

Re: "cachunk"
This I was told months ago by someone else on this forum is a normal ABS calibration or something. He said it was typical of modern cars w/ABS. Mine does it whether I start forward or in reverse.
WN