kcross21

** DISCLAIMER**
Yes, I Am VERY new to owning a rx-8. But I LOVE my car.
I should probably start at the very beginning, that way I can make the most sense as possible...
I Bought the Car Feb. 8 of 2019, The Previous owner is a co-worker I currently work with. the rx8 had a replaced thermostat that cools the engine sooner (76 degrees Celsius) also told me she replaced the spark plugs and the coils and tires. recently as well. she was driving the car daily to and from work which is why I decided to buy it. I know the history of a rotary and that they can be temperamental, I've had an rx8 a few years back and never ran into the issues I have today.




** also forgot to mention the check light recently came up, when I ran the codes it was my catalytic converter.**

Soooo when I bought the car for about 2 weeks it was running perfectly fine. about midway through week 3, my rx8 began to overheat. the first instance, I immediately pulled over and seen the green fluid on the ground so I knew it was coolant. lifted the hood to see condensation everywhere and fluid spewing out of the overflow valve and steam coming from around the cap. I let the car cool down for about 45 mins and took off the cap to check the coolant level got some more coolant and attempted to start it, she took a little bit but she started, I called a tow truck and got it towed home. I had a mechanic come and make sure everything was good to go before I began driving it.

towards the end of the 3rd week, she overheated when I left work, I live in Texas and it gets pretty hot here, however we have only been reaching highs of 75 or at the most 80, and I was of course sitting in traffic. I noticed the gauge moving pretty quickly so I got off the highway and onto an access road to I can pull over. when I stopped at a stop sign to pull the car over, she shut off on me. I then put the hazards on and wait for a tow truck to take her home.

Yesterday I thought it might have been a hole in the hoses or maybe the coolant reservoir wasn't sealed so I ordered a brand new stock tank. along with the cap. when we installed the part we also looked to make sure no coolant leaked into the radiator or the rotary housing. it was clean. after the install we took it for a test drive around the corner. the new tank was clean so of course I was able to see the coolant inside the tank, and I noticed it bubbling to the top of the tank until the car overheats and the fluid is spewing from the overflow valve again, I guess my concerns are if I need a compression test? why else would an rx8 overheat? EVERY mechanic who doesn't have much knowledge with rotary's tend to jump to the apex seals so of course I wanna see what you guys think as well. when I get home I can link some pictures and if it will let me upload some video footage in case I wasn't detailed enough. I talked to the previous owner she hasn't had a problem with it. she changed the thermostat last summer is it a possibility that I might need a new one? this is my BABY and I do not wanna lose her. someone help lol

Loki

iTrader: (1)

If it's bubbling it sounds like a blown coolant seal, unfortunately. The initial problem may have been blocked thermostat or the reservoir or some other thing, but that overheat could have damaged the water seal and here we are. I don't know that you really need a comp test, it's more a test for exhaust gas in coolant. Aslo called a block test. Any mechanic can do that.

If confirmed, it's new engine time, unfortunately

kcross21

Honestly, I'm beginning to think so, I seen some white smoke come out of the combustion chamber, so waters getting in from somewhere, I just didn't wanna deal with a whole rebuild or new engine, I JUST bought the car so this should be the last thing I would even have to worry about

NotAPreppie

Get a block tester to check for combustion gasses in the coolant.

kcross21

gonna order it right now

UnknownJinX

You don't have to buy one. Go to an AutoZone and you should be able to borrow/rent one for cheap.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Are you certain the car didn't already have this problem when you bought it?

HappyTriangles

NotAPreppie

The cost is mostly in the fluid which is consumable.

Realistically, you could do this with a turkey baster and the fluid.

kcross21

the only thing I can do is give the seller the benefit of the doubt considering they work with me. lol they drove it daily to and from work.
I was doing some more reading, and my catalytic converter can be the problem as well.

kcross21

yes definitely, I tried picking one up from AutoZone but they don't offer it in store so I just ordered it, the part should be coming today, so I'm going to give it a try.