Killawatts

Recently purchased a 2007 velocity red rx8. Couldn't be happier, well....sort of.

Just wanted to say hello, and ask you guys a couple questions.

Everything was great on the test drive, but I believe that was because it was below a quarter tank when we drove it.

Signed all the paperwork, paid for the car, it's got a full tank of gas and then on the way home I notice it as soon as I open the windows that it smells like gas.

When I get home I see that there's some wetness on the left rear axle, so I assume it's coming from the tank. Is this a common problem for these cars?

I'm not too overly worried about it, as it's the dealerships problem to fix...even though I would like to do it myself, I don't feel that I should pay to fix a car I just bought hours earlier.

Also, and this may just be because I'm coming from a 500 hp car to around half that, but this thing seems to be seriously lacking in power. I'm wondering if the dealership put regular unleaded in it, because it just feels sluggish. Would that even cause that? I doubt it would hit 60 in the 6-6.5 range as it should.

I seriously doubt it has low compression, as it has no starting issues hot or cold, I do plan on bringing it in to mazda to get a compression test done regardless, because it has a powertrain warranty for the next 3 months...but that is only after I get this fuel leak issue fixed.

Thanks, and it's good to be a part of the club again.

Killawatts

And there she is, in all her bone stock fuel stinking glory....had to leave her parked in the driveway tonight, makes me nervous but can't have the whole house smelling of gas.

Killawatts

Also, I seem to be having a rough idle problem, where it appears it is dropping too low 500-600 which in turn shakes the car, and then it periodically goes back up to around 750-800 and smooths out, any ideas on that?

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Welcome
About the rough idle....
easy free stuff to check first:
- clean maf
- clean ESS
- Check plugs/wires/coils
- Check motor mounts

After that ... a couple dollars
- Compression test (however from your description I'm going to guess low compression, hope I'm wrong)

About the power
LOL hahahahaahahahahahahahaha you came from a 500 hp car to a RX8 ... so yeah slow.
Especially if you bought an automatic.
The auto's are way slower than the manually transmission Rx8's

Manual trans 2007 RX8 in good condition might be putting 190 hp to the wheels.

Killawatts

Yeah, well the 8 is still more fun than a 500 hp car really. That's how I feel anyway.

It's a manual, an automatic 8 is a travesty in my honest opinion.

It may have low compression, but so far it has no starting issues hot/cold, no cel so....who knows.

I'll clean the MAF/ESS once the dealer gets done with it.

Killawatts

A bit of an update, the gas smell seems to only be really bad when the tank is completely full, as I'm down to about 3/4 of a tank now and it's still present, but nowhere near like it was when it was at max capacity...

Also, for some reason today the car is running a whole lot better, even in this 114 degree heat.....no that was not a typo. Doesn't feel sluggish at all, maybe it was because it just needed to be driven after sitting on the lot for a while.

Killawatts

Another update, brought it to the dealer today to check out and came to the realization that....they gave me the car with a full tank of gas Saturday afternoon, in about 24 hours and around 50-70 miles of driving, I burned 7-8 gallons....

I gotta call shenanigans on that, it must have a leak somewhere. Possibly only leaks when running, as I didn't have a puddle in my garage. Or is it really possible for the car to be getting 9-10 mpg?

wcs

iTrader: (2)

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...4/#post4533702

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...-thread-61139/

More or less .. yes

Killawatts

Well, after spending 24 hours at the dealership they said they can't find a leak anywhere...

I don't see a leak anywhere either, but the car still smells like gas....

I did pull the back seats out, and took a look and a sniff where the fuel pumps are, and I saw nothing and the smell didn't seem strong there either...

Kind of at a loss here, any ideas?

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

You might check your air filter and intake for oil blowby.

Killawatts

I'll do that, but how would that cause a gas smell? Not doubting what you are saying, just trying to understand.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Well, you can't find a leak, so I'm thinking non-leak possibilities.

Your oil and gas mix in the housings, and if you get some blowby past the seals into the intake, it may smell like gas.
Doesn't make sense about the full tank being worse though.

The other thing is maybe your fuel pump retaining ring could be
cracked or crossthreaded.
There's a recess around the hole, and if the ring isn't making a good seal, maybe when you fillup, a little gas is seeping out and collects in the recess, and gradually evaporates.
Maybe try pulling up the cushion, top it off as much as possible, and then drive around making quick starts and stops, & sharp turns, then jump out and see if you see anything.
Or have someone ride in the back seat and watch it.

Load6794

that wasn't normal for my car, I would look at the DIY forum. Lots of easy stuff and great guides.

Killawatts

Well, here's an update.

I took the car to a Mazda dealership, just because the gas smell was still there and the subaru guys seemed clueless. As it turns out, the fuel pump needs replacing, guy even took a picture of it for me. If I had taken the plate off under the back seat I would have seen it clear as day.

I decided to do a compression test while it was there, and it failed. The highest number they got was around 6.9 for both rotors. Well, can't say I didn't expect that...

So to the subaru dealership I went where I bought it from, explained the situation and how bad their techs suck, and now I need a new engine and fuel pump. I happen to have a powertrain warranty on the car, that they were so kind as to include for free. Guy told me he'll have to speak to his boss about it in the morning.

Thinking of my options here, I happen to be in the same state as Black Halo Racing....hmmm...

Killawatts

Okay, well the dealership I bought the car from wants me to bring it back to them to do the repairs, and having them change the fuel pump may be ok, although I'd rather Mazda do it.....

Anyway, my question is, considering everything that's happened, and from what I've been reading on these forums...would it just be better to rebuild the engine myself and keep the OEM housings/bearings and what not?

I've never rebuilt a rotary, but we are in the age of information these days, and I am a mechanic by trade, just for aircraft not cars...

From what I can tell, the remanufactured engines can be total junk and it's best to stay with the OEM components if you can...would this be an accurate statement?

What I'm thinking is get the fuel pump replaced, drive the car til the engine finally dies for good and in the mean time gather all the parts for the rebuild and be ready for when it does go. Does that sound plausible? I think it would be a fun experience regardless, and I would really get to know the car better.

The alternative is to get a remanufactured engine in there and have a dealership do it that probably doesn't have a ******* clue how a rotary works, however that option is free of charge. I just feel like it may cause more head ache down the line doing it that way, and if I do the rebuild myself I know it's done right...

Any advice is appreciated.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Well, if you're an aircraft mechanic, I think you could do it.
If you know how to measure clearances and have the right tools, I don't see why not.
It would be a good experience imo.
There are plenty of DIY threads here, starting with Rotary Resurrection's Engine Removal thread.
When it's time to do mine, I may attempt it if I feel up to it.
I'm not as young as I used to be, and arthritic joints are becoming an issue.
Go for it, I'm interested to see how you do.
Good luck!

ECS

Just my 2 cents. I'd go for the warranty engine replacement, why not it's free. You might get a remanufactured engine that will last you but if not you can do the rebuild you're self at a later date.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

My 2¢, I think Killawatts has the right idea.
He has a 'failing' engine, which at upper 6's could run fine for quite a while longer.
If he didn't get the test, he could have driven for months or even years without problems if it was properly maintained.

Getting a rebuild from the dealer IS a crap shoot.
The present engine's housings are probably in good shape, and a simple rebuild kit installed by a competent, conscientious owner may restore it close to as good as new as possible.

A dealer installed reman can be questionable.

Killawatts

Update:


Well after being at the dealership for a few days, they did a carbon cleaning, changed the spark plugs, and the oil, and sent it back to mazda to test it again.

And much to my surprise, it passed. I don't have the exact numbers yet, I should get them tomorrow.

I was under the impression that a carbon cleaning wouldn't bring a low compression motor back to life, was I wrong about this?