HairyScandinavian

Just found this forum, sorry for the poor introductory post.

I have a 2005 RX-8 that most likely needs a rebuild so I've been looking around for a rotary mechanic in San Antonio and striking out. Looks like Tito was the main one recommended but he hasn't been around for a while. Any advice? Body and interior are great so I'd hate to scrap it, and just don't have time/skill to do it myself.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah Tito drives a Mclaren and doesn't own a rotary shop anymore. Honestly I don't recommend anyone locally to rebuild it. My buddy used to do rebuilds and does good work but he is no longer doing them fro other people.

I sent mine off to Pineapple Racing in Oregon. But everything else I have done myself so if you need help diagnosing let me know, we have a compression tester as well.

HairyScandinavian

Thanks! I'd love some help but probably won't be able to dedicate any time for it any time soon. Sending it off sounds expensive. I'm not looking for a performance engine, just want to get it back to reliable daily driver status. I was out of town when it broke down so my son had it towed to a shop, their diagnosis is all over the place and they just want to completely replace the engine with a used one so I'm pulling it back and looking for a better option.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Most shops are clueless when it comes to rotaries. My buddy buys RX-8's and resells them and he has bought a couple that shops had told the owners they had bad engines and they ended up just being flooded.

I would definitely not take their word for it. If you get it home let me know and I can definitely take a look at it.

NotAPreppie

Step 1: Rotary-specific compression test.
Step 2: post results here (3 pressures plus RPM for each rotor for a total of 8 numbers).
Step 3: Get advice.

HairyScandinavian

Right on. I'll go take a look tomorrow and have them tow it back to the house. Really appreciate the offer, if nothing else maybe a compression check will point me in the right direction for a positive diagnosis. Lemme know what you drink and I'll have it on ice.

HairyScandinavian

Swung by the mechanic today, nice guy. He told me there's no compression in cylinder 3. I said are you sure? He said yes but he's able to get it started and it smokes a lot. I paid him for a tow to get it back to my house and thanked him for his time.

NotAPreppie

HairyScandinavian

LOL... That was pretty much exactly my reaction.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Now you know why I do my own work even when it's a pain in the ***.

HairyScandinavian

OK car just got delivered to the house. Started right up and runs but gotta keep the RPMs up or it gets rough. This is the first I've seen it run since it broke down while I was out of town, haven't done anything with it yet other than drive it into the driveway.

NotAPreppie

Sounds like you need to do some diagnosis.

A compression test is key. If you can't borrow one from the SARX crew, Rotarycompressiontester.com has their units on sale for $300. I have one and it works well.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

yeah man, it could be anything. I had a guy come by the house Sunday with his 2005 with 40k original miles and it already had a reman in it. He went to the dealer and to Midas and both said there were no vacuum leaks or anything wrong but his fuel trims were maxed out and his mileage was horrible but yet the car still idled fine and drove okay. They told him he would probably need a new engine.

I started digging in and found that the jet air hose (one of the largest vacuum hoses on the engine) on the lower intake manifold was just hanging there disconnected and his intake was full of oil and the MAF was coated in oil. I used my extractor to remove a full quart of oil and the oil level was still at full.

So in this case, this poor guy spent $500 and got no where when both issues he had were simple fixes. Oscar, a local guy has a compression tester, he charges $80.00. But don't assume it's compression related because often it is not.

HairyScandinavian

Awesome, thx guys. I'm gonna sit on it a while due to needing to recharge my funds but I'd like to do a compression test first so I know where I'm at and that seems to be a good starting point to rule that out, yeah? Would be sweet if it was something simple. How do I get a hold of Oscar?

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

If you are on Facebook join the SARX group FB page.

HairyScandinavian

OK thanks. I killed my Facebook over a year ago but I can fire it back up real quick or have my son do it. Appreciate the assistance here, assuming I get it back up and running I should be hanging around a bit.

gwilliams6

Take 9krpmrx8's offer of help and get that compression test done. Even if you don't have the money now for a rebuild, you at least will know what you need to save for.

HairyScandinavian

He referred me to Oscar.

Basically where I'm at right now, if compression is good I'll save it and fix it. If compression is bad I'm most likely gonna part it out or sell whole if I can find a buyer to give me a big bag of peanuts for it.

Mordae

Fellow Texan here going through my own rebuild. If you can find the time or the help to pull the engine and put it back in, a rebuild isn't as daunting as it seems. RotaryResurrection has a detailed DIY. Someone who's done it before and knows their way around could have it done in a day. I took two weekends to do it; one to pull the engine and a few hours the second to take everything off the engine. There are a few rebuilders around the US but the ones I see most often around here are Pineapple, RotaryResurrection, and I think BHR is doing them again. I went with RotaryResurrection myself, because I just needed a daily driver (with mild autoX for fun) and the price was right. All that said, I understand if circumstances prevent such an undertaking.

Wish you luck with the compression test; hopefully it isn't the engine. You're in good hands with 9k.

HairyScandinavian

Just wanted to give and update here to provide closure to the thread. Oscar came by and did the compression test and confirmed the engine is toast and needs a rebuild. Thank you everyone for the advice and help with everything. After thinking about it for a few days and trying to decide which way to proceed I decided to just go ahead and sell it for now to recoup some funds rather than dumping a bunch more money into a vehicle right now. I've listed it on Craigslist and will put it on some forums as well but also would like to ask what's a fair price for a dead RX-8 with a decent body and interior?

NotAPreppie

$1000, maybe as high as $1500-$2000 if the interior/exterior are showroom perfect and you find a motivated buyer.

Cpina9

My name is Chris I'm new to this got an RX8 for my son.
I have similar issues just wondering if you can point me in the right direction to get a compression test for starters.

NotAPreppie

Any Mazda dealer can do it.

HairyScandinavian

Sent you a PM with Oscar's number.

Royalxd1c

hey y’all I know I’m opening a new thread, I’m located in Laredo tx and have a 04 Mazda rx8 automatic with 99k miles. I’ve replaced the ignition coils plugs wires oil and the previous owner replaced the throttle body fuel pump and baro sensor. Previous owner couldn’t get the car to start at all I’ve gotten it to start and idle in park but anytime I put it into drive, reverse or turn on the ax the car will idle for about 5 seconds and die. It’ll also die after I give it gas up to 5k or higher rpm’s it’ll come back down and then go back up to 700ish rpm’s and then die. I’ve done a compression test on the engine when it was cold and it was at 85 psi but did not get the rpm, I’ll be redoing it tomorrow when it’s not 110 outside. Mazda tech recommended a rebuild which im not against considering the uim sat off the engine for over a year. Just looking for any advice or what yall think is the best course of action and before anyone asks yes I know how to work on cars first time on a rotary.