Rotary_Illiterate

Hello guys, new member here. Please forgive me if this is the wrong place to ask these questions. I found this as the most logical spot to post.

Well, one of my comrads deceased in iraq and left me his 04 rx8 with 46k miles (Which so far i love btw). I just got back myself and i'm day by day discovering how much fun this little car is.

After reading here, reading some more, then more on top of that. I feel confident enough as a rotary noob to keep this car in good condition. Just wanting some definite clarification to my newly uptaked maintainance on this beauty. Heres what Ive gathered up.

1.) Call dealer with vin # and check if this "Flash" has been done, and anything else.
2.) When starting car, let warm for a minute. Let car get warm before stopping as well.
3.) Check oil levels every gas up. (Safe then sorry)
4.) Redline once per day to remove carbon.
5.) If experiencing "flooding" crank engine for 8 second intervals, stop for 3 repeat with pedal depressed to the floor, crank engine again for 8 seconds.

I do know this has probably been addressed, I've just taken in so much information about this car today that my brain has caught some of this "carbon buildup".

Im rather confused as to what warranty my newly acquired RX8 will be eligible for, if any. Ive heard 3 years 60k miles, 7 years 100k miles, and everything in-between.

Lastly i do have a problem, that this websites search engine isnt finding for me. At high RPM usually in first or second gear I hear a loud SCREECH last lasts but a second or three.

Thanks in advance for your help, you guys have some good information here.
It feels good to be back in the states on my own roads!

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

welcome home! Sorry about the loss

Read through the first few posts of the following:
FAQ’s https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx-8-faq-please-read-before-posting-959/
New and Potential Owner’s, Start Here https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
Congratulations, you got an 8 https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/congratulations-you-got-8-a-202548/
New Owner FAQ’s https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...&highlight=FAQ

Also, make sure you read the “stickies” in each sub-forum

Welcome to the addiction!

FungsterRacing

iTrader: (4)

For a noob here, you have obviously done the searching and I applaud you for that! That list you have is a good start, but remember coils and plugs (May need replacing), etc. Soldier gave you some great links there - That's where I would start.

I can't say much about the noise your experiencing, but the search engine here is ****, go onto Google and search "site:rx8club.com whateveryouaresearching" (without quotations)

Also sorry about the loss, it's not easy loosing someone. And welcome!

ken-x8

Sorry about your friend. We've lost a lot of good folks over there.

On your questions...

#2 - No need to warm that long. Owner's manual says to let it run 10 seconds before driving. Much more idling will promote carboning up. On cold days you might let it run until it starts to come off fast idle, but in general it's better to warm a car by driving gently rather than idling. No real need to let it idle before shut-down. Just make sure you've driven enough for temp to be in its normal range.

For an '04, the bumper to bumper warranty is long gone. There's an engine core warranty of 8 years, 100k miles. There's also an emissions warranty that covers the cat for 8 years, 80k miles.

The screech you're hearing - is it at redline? There's a beep at 8500 rpm. Never heard it described as a screech, but that's subjective.

If you don't have an owner's manual, you can download one at mazdausa.com.

Welcome to the club!

Ken

monchie

Thank you for serving our country and sorry about the loss. Anyway, like what was already said, read the stickies and follow those procedures.

dynamho

Sorry about your friend. Sincere welcome to the club.
Hang around here for a while and your username will certainly be a misleading one.

Rotary_Illiterate

Thanks guys for the warm welcome, it's much appreciated. The links Rx8Soldier, were fantastic information about the vehicle and as well appreciated.

As far as the "screech" goes, its literally a 2 second schreeeeech at higher RPMs; usually occuring 1st and 2nd gear. It is becoming rather anoying, I have placed some lubricating drops designed universally for engine belts on every visible rubber moving piece. I will update soon with a video link to the noise itself, and results of the lubrication.

Side note- Checking the oil on the 04 rx8 I noticed I might be low, I'm not familiar with how much oil to replace per dipstick mark. Currently, my oil level is sitting at the botton - of the dipstick. Leaving if memory serves 2 marks un-lubricated. Given this information, how much oil should I refill?

Thanks fellas again for the information.

zoom44

save this https://www.mymazda.com/MusaWeb/pdf/...004_owners.pdf

and give it a thorough read.

thanks for your service

Rotary_Illiterate

@Zoom44,

Thanks for the link to that manual I had actually breezed over it already assuming it would be a basic cut n dry manual, but I was shocked when it actually gave approx measurments for oil replacement per dipstick mark.

Also just an update on my car, just got out of my appointment with the local mazda dealer in New Braunfels, TX. Thankfully, Flash is up to date, as well as all of the recalls which he showed me the documented work done at another dealer. He actually even opened the hood and showed me the service stickers and recall numbers worked. I also informed the service tech about the peculiar "Screech" noise coming from the car during 1st and 2nd gear, high rpms. I had actually already found the answer here, and without telling him he re-affirmed me that the cars advanced computer systems do not allow the Renesis to redline before operating temperatures.

With my luck, a few hours after I leave the dealer I encounter another problem. Sounds like its coming from something in the rear passenger side suspension. A short little burst of metal on metal clanks. Not too loud, but I do actually feel it fully vibrating the car for the 3 seconds that it lasts.

Researching here ive found possible solutions ranging from loose endlinks, to defective control arms (which are apparently faulty in the 04 rx8) from what I've read. If you guys can suggest other areas to look, I'd appreciate it. Ill find an endlink DIY and update soon.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

there are a lot of little areas to check, unfortunately. Start with the endlinks, and move back. It may take a while, but it's better to give a good, thorough inspection ONCE, than do many, half-@ssed ones...

Supernaut6

Sorry for your loss

I would suggest redlining the car everytime you drive it after the car has reached operating temp.

Rotary_Illiterate

Well fellas, just a little update here before I wrap up this thread to begin a new one with a little more detailed DIY for suspension issues, and where to check for them and how to fix, all from information found here. I plan on making a nice little video, it's the least I could do to give back to the community here.

I took the car to another dealer in Austin, TX whilst running aarons, questioning my ECU flash version. They said I still have the stock flash, and there had been many updates from the one currently running. I let him know that I had taken the car to the New Braunfels, TX dealer and they had told me everything was up-to-date.. He told me he would contact the regional manager in regards to this.. Needless to say it made me rather furious. Wish there was something I could do about it, but hey..

So they flashed me over to the new version, performance has noticeably changed.

Be on the lookout for the video, and thanks again for the warm welcome and information it's much appreciated.

Cheers

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

not all dealers shine with customer service. If you plan to take your car to a dealer ofter, or just wish to have an "in", find out which one is the more respectable one.
Looking forward to your videos!

zoom44

the change in driving feel will be mostly because of the clearing of the longterm fuel trims and other "learned" behavior that was lost when the flash was done.