Kirkland

So i go my car compression tested today. Can someone give me a hand making since of this.

Front at 297 rpms 7.4, 7.5, 7.5
Back at 302 rpms 7.4, 7.5, 7.5

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

Check this out:

RX-8 Help

You're in the yellow zone. You're engine isn't spectacular, but it's not replacement time either. Stay on top of oil changes and regular maintenance and you should be okay for years.

Kirkland

Good to know thank you.
Is there anything else besides oil changes and maintance i can do to help prolong the life of my engine. The tech at the dealership suggested an engine cleaner that was specially made for the 8's called zoom-zoom have you heard of this and is it a good idea?

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

Zoom Zoom engine cleaner is a special chemical the dealer will add to your engine to try and de-carbon it. (Carbon deposits can lower compression and decrease engine life). However, Zoom Zoom has been hard to find lately. I tried to find it last summer and never could locate it.

The best thing for the life of the motor is to change out spark plugs, coils, and wires every 20 or 30 thousand miles. When the ignition system wears out, you get incomplete combustion, which leads to more carbon and can clog your cat. Clogged cat means backpressure, backpressure kills engines. Some people remove the cat entirely, or its internal parts. Its your call, removing a cat can cause inspection problems in some states.

gwilliams6

Ignition system health is critical as BigBadChris says. Cat health is critical also.

Also check out this article from Rotary Performance in Garland ,Texas, near Dallas

How To Double The Life of Your RX-8 Engine ? Rotary Performance

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Your engine is on it's last leg, start saving for a rebuild. It's going to fail sooner rather than later as once they get to the tipping point they don't last long.

Kirkland

Hate to hear the engine doesn't have long, but i really appreciate everyones help with this. My car is not for every day driving it is a weekend car. I hope that will help it last a little long. Does anyone have a preference on what rebuild kit i should get when it is time. I have seen a lot online not sure which is The best way to go.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

It sucks I know, but it is what it is and there is no point blowing smoke up your *** and giving you false hope. Proper Prior Planning is key

Yeah I mean it's a judgement call in terms of what you want to do but the car is surely down on power quite a bit (who wants to drive a car like that?) and the longer you wait, the more likely that you will damage parts that may have been reusable in the rebuild. And I don't recommend a rebuild kit, I recommend having a qualified re builder (Pineapple Racing (did mine), Rotary Resurrection , BHR, rotary performance, etc are a few) build your engine.

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

Rebuild kits are a "you get what you pay for" item. I don't know you, so please don't take this as an insult. It can be a DIY undertaking, but not for an amateur. Many folks remove the engine at home and ship it off to a shop. Mazda sells refurb engines too, but the quality has been spotty.

Mazdatrix, Mazmart, Rotary Resurrection, Pineapple Racing and Atkins Rotary are all reputable shops. I also have a mechanic in North Dallas, if you want to get the car up here and have a turnkey rebuild.

Don't write the car off yet. Keep it in good shape, drive it like you stole it, and enjoy it!

Kirkland

That would be great to have your rebuild guys number when it becomes time. And please forgive my ignorance what is a turnkey rebuild. Is it good or bad?

Kirkland

If i did decide to do a DIY it would not be by myself a friend of mine has his rotary certification from mazda i would defently get him to help me, or send my engine off.

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

When I say turnkey I mean you drop the car off, give him the keys. Come back a week later and it's done.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Turnkey is for those who can't wrench themselves or don't care too. You drop the car off and pick it up when it's fixed.

As for DIY, I'm not saying your friend is a liar but...........there is no rotary certification from Mazda as Mazda dealer techs are not allowed to open up rotary engines, there is a reman plant in Virginia that the engines get sent to. Before the plant was built, the rebuilds were contracted out to various companies and the engines were shipped to them or they came new from Japan (this has not happened for close to ten years).

You can do it DIY, but not properly without the right tools and some of those tools you can't realistically get in order to do it properly so some stuff will have to be sent out.

But doing it properly has different meanings to different people. Personally if you are not getting the engine balanced or having someone with experience cut the seals, then you are not doing it right. But a lot of stuff is debatable and subject to what the customer is willing to spend. A lot of the same things that apply to piston engine building apply to rotary engine building.

Kirkland

Ok good to know. When i get it done i want it done right. It is sounding like the best thing to do is have it sent off or talk it to one of the shops yall have mentioned. I want to keep the car in the shape possible. I have had and driven a good bit of sports cars in my life and i have to say this one is my favorite. I really appreciate all the help you guys have given me. Bigbadchris when you get the chance can you send me the number to your mechanic in dallas. Thanks again guys.