It's official...the engine is dead! Ask me how happy I am. :mad:


I was supposed to take the car on a trip through the mountains tomorrow. This seals the deal that when my lease is up...so is this car.


3 frickin engine! That's just pathetic.


3rd Engine Club membership #0001

What was wrong with it? Or, what did the dealer SAY was wrong with it.

Read in your other post that it was baked.

that really sucks big time .
It is hard to understand for those of us who have had a good run with the engine.
Is there anything unusual about the way you drive/service/your environment/etc you can tell us ?

not sure of the cause yet. I don't race the car and do all the service work. I'm usually the first one in my area to get the TSB's done too. It doesn't get that hot up here nornally either. The first engine went after 4700km's...almosat 2 years to the day......I'm just so pissed-off.

maybe in canada but not in the USthre are at least 5 people here on their 3rd engine

Just seems odd that someone could go through 2 engines. That's very bad luck, or a variable that's not evident here.

Anyway, sorry to hear it. Hopefully it'll be back soon.

On the face of it, 3 engines (#) sounds more like dealer (#) incompetence to fix whatever the real problem is, or user abuse after the 1st replacement. Either that or they hire monkeys to refurbish the engines they send out as replacements or the dealer screws up replacing the engine (#) so it fails again.

Lightening just doesn't useally strike that often in the same engine bay THAT many times. Just seems to stretch the laws of probability.

Hope it's better this time. FOUR times and I'd certainly go to a new dealership!

The first engine was replaced after 4700 kms (2900 miles). It was a new engine that came in a crate from Japan and was done at dealer A

This one let go @ 47,000kms (29,000 miles). I can assure you that the engine was not abused in any way. It was driven firmly but never thrashed. I always had my oil changes done earlier than they had to be especially in winter.. This engine will be replaced by dealer B - So far their service has been much better than dealer A.


The two failures had completely different symptoms. The first one would start great and run great but then would not start after the car was shut off when warm. The car had to completely cool down in order to start. When the techs checked the oil they found metal.

This one was working perfectly...it even had a different sound from my first engine...had better power and better gas mileage. I was just driving to work leaving a traffic light. Half way though the intersection it was like a pop when off the engine lots power but didn’t quit right away. About 10 seconds later it died.



I don't know where they are getting this engine from. The service manager said they they usually come from Toronto or if they are out then they come from Japan. This dealership has replaced only one RX8 engine so far.

and I thought my 8 was cursed with bad luck.

It's official...the engine is dead! Ask me how happy I am. :mad:


I was supposed to take the car on a trip through the mountains tomorrow. This seals the deal that when my lease is up...so is this car.


3 frickin engine! That's just pathetic.


3rd Engine Club membership #0001
Cool I'm at Engine 1. 1 down 2 to go.

The "pop" sound you heard reminds me of an Apex seal going out . Did it idle real rough after that "pop"? Was it like a backfire through the intake kinda sound?

The first one would start great and run great but then would not start after the car was shut off when warm. The car had to completely cool down in order to start. When the techs checked the oil they found metal.

That was the same problem that caused my first engine to be replaced at about 12,000 miles (20,000 kms?). I was never told what the problem.

While it isn't an RX8, we had 3 engines go south over an 80,000 mile period with a Ford Windstar. The fourth was getting ready at about 105,000 miles but it was traded in before we were stuck with it.

Ford paid for all 3 motors. They weren't going to on the 3rd since warranty expired long before until an attorney I met during the days of my Audi experince convinced them other wise with a short letter.

I hope Mazda covers the cost for you.

They are replacing it under warranty....and they are supplying a rental. It will be a shit rental but you take what you can get. I might look into dumping the lease on this for another car. It depends on the money. I don't have cash flow at the moment because I'm setting up another business.

Prepare to bite the bullet if you get rid of this car early. I did, and it cost me, but it was worth the peace of mind.

They are replacing it under warranty.... It will be a shit rental but you take what you can get. I might look into dumping the lease on this for another car.. If I had as many issues with mine I would be looking for alternatives right about now too.

It's official...the engine is dead! Ask me how happy I am. :mad:


I was supposed to take the car on a trip through the mountains tomorrow. This seals the deal that when my lease is up...so is this car.


3 frickin engine! That's just pathetic.


3rd Engine Club membership #0001

I am really impressed.It took me 13 years, 6 rotary engine cars and about 320kkm to destroy 3 engines,and I had to pay for them all!

Dealer Called to say the 2nd rebuilt is installed and road tested.
46,000 miles A/T 2004
exploring lemon law in Vermont and have sent a registered letter to Mazda at
Irving CA.
Hoping to hear something soon so i can deside what to do Next.
I Have never been told the cause for any of the engine failures.

Does anyone know if the 06s have these problems?

Why do you want to use the lemon law if you have a new engine at 46K miles?

Why don't you ask your dealer what was wrong with the engines?

Origional engine replaced at 45,000 and Rebuilt installed lasted to 46,000.
Now the third (How long will it last)
Warrantee over at 50,000.
I am worried
I am bound to take a bath whatever i deside.
How much confidence would you have in a car that has had Three engines?

If I were driving it I would have 100% confidence,but wth you--------?

Prepare to bite the bullet if you get rid of this car early. I did, and it cost me, but it was worth the peace of mind.
Peace of mind indeed. Yet, here you remain on an RX-8 forum.

Please welcome your newest member to the 3rd Engine Club.
The dealer just called and said that the rear rotor has coolant in it.
Engine #1 replaced August 2005 w/ 13K miles.
Engine #2 replaced September 2007 w/37K miles