Venko

Hello,

My name is Venko and I live in Gatineau, Canada. I have been driving about 4 years now on family cars and finally purchased my first car (Hyundai Tiburon 2003) at the end of January. I didn't get to enjoy it very long because it got stolen in March. Since then, I have been having a rough time trying to find something I liked to replace it.

I have been stalking around these forums for the past month and a half, trying to get a better picture of what an RX8 is and the requirements were to keep it healthy. I enjoyed reading the new and potential owners thread that RIWWP made (https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/).

I purchased a used 2005 RX8 GT a few days ago with 60k km on it. It seems to be running very well but I am due for changing the regular maintenance coils, plugs, etc... I don't have any mech experience but the DIY section is very helpful. I have read a lot of good comments about BHR products and I will most definitely get their Ignition System (Black Halo Racing Ignition System | Black Halo Racing) when I save up a bit of money for it.

I saw a good looking deal on RotaryFx for the coils(RX-8 Ignition Coil) and the plugs(NGK Spark Plugs (Set of 4)) that would be more in my budget and could help me temporarily. I am also kind of worried to start with the top of the line products because I have had no practice installing anything for a car yet. I've just purchased a socket set from Canadian Tire that was marked down to 100$ from 180$.

Other than the ignition upgrades, I am probably going to try to add some cooling upgrades too. It seems that my rx8 heats up pretty quickly. Usually it blows hot air through the vents while on full cold unless I turn the AC on. I prefer to drive with my windows and sunroof open rather than use the AC until I am sure that the car can take it.

I currently use Quaker 5-30 but seems that many people recommend 10-40 so I will most likely go with that when I finish my current oil. Where I live, it gets quite humid in summer with temps 25-40C and in winter it is not unusual to get to -20 to -35C in winter. I don't use any premix so far, but I wouldn't mind trying Idemitsu if it could help keep my car happy.

From what I was able to grasp, the most important things to take care of in order to keep my rx8 healthy are the ignition, the oil and the coolant. Those are my current priority.

I think that my car sounds amazing as it is, but I would like to get some louder street legal exhausts in the future if finances permit it. BHR seems to be the place to get the best results so I will try to get a good deal when I save up enough money. I have been having some issues adjusting to shifting gears and synchronising the rpm to prevent the jerking motion. It was much easier in my previous car but I think that I will overcome it with practice.

I hope one day to be able to bring something to this community and possibly help out some people who could be going through similar situations like me.

If someone would have suggestions as to ignition, oil or cooling, I would love to hear what you have to say could be helpful for my car in my climate. I will post some pictures when my post count gets up a bit.

And thanks for everyones contributions towards making this community, it is really interesting to see what can be achieved when minds are combined.


Sincerely,
Venko

Stephen T

That's a lovely introduction and very sensible. Enjoy the car and I hope you'll be around for a while. Cheers.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

Hello Venko! Welcome to the RX8 Club. Looks like you've done some research. Nice to see you looking for answers to questions. I hope you enjoy your new, to you, RX8.
Don't be afraid of nuts and bolts. They are just pieces of metal. If you can change the stock coils, you can certainly install a BHR Ignition Kit.

monchie

Welcome and enjoy the rotary...

Venko

Thanks, I hope to stay for a long while


Thanks for the welcome. I guess its just a sense of being overwhelmed whenever I would open the hood. Not knowing what is for what tends to make me afraid to poke around, in fear of doing more harm than good.

I purchased an aftermarket warranty with Global Warranty for 4yrs or 80k km. So I wont be able to do the sparkplugs myself, need to have proof of maintenance from an acknowledged professional... They don't accept rx8club :S But I can do the coils and wires myself because it isnt in mazdas scheduled maintenance. So I intend to DIY everything that doesnt need a receipt for warranty.


Thank you for the welcome. I am enjoying the car a lot.



A small update and question.


Update:
I've noticed that my car shakes a lot, I guess that the engine mounts are done and would need to be changed. The speed shifter and the side mirrors seems to be what shake the most.

I've noticed a rough idle. While I'm in neutral and give some gas the rpm goes up, but when I let go of the gas, it falls down to 1krpm, then drops to 750, then drops to 500ish and starts shaking. Then it climbs back up to 750rpm. Seems to happen only after I've given some gas. The shaking is similar to what you get when you slowly release the clutch and get to the points just before the car stalls. I'm attributing this to failing ignition unless someone has another possible suspect. I have an appointment to get my sparkplugs changed this Thursday. I think it will also give me better gas mileage. Atm I get about 300km on a full tank driving mostly city.

I've added some links to pictures of the car itself.










picture kind of shows how i get 115km from abit over a 1/4 of the tank.





Seems that many owners got an issue with the rear defroster button cracking, sadly mine is out of the original warranty and the aftermarket one does not accept TSB. I will try to find a replacement button for it eventually. It is not a big priority because it still work as it should, just not pretty to look at.




Question:

Last night, I hit a groundhog or something dark while driving 70-75 kmh. It ran out directly infront of me, so I didn't have time to avoid it. I feel bad for the animal that got killed. I got some damage on the plastic under the front bumper. I guess that the term is the engine undercover tray. Its supposed to help redirect the airflow to be used to cool the engine or for the ac as well as having some aerodynamic uses.

When I got out of the car, I noticed a hissing sound coming from under the car. Initially I thought that it was my tire that was deflating. I drove home from there about 10km. The car seems to be driving ok and the temp needles didn't budge. I took some pictures and noticed a darker spot on the grilled part ( I'm not sure if thats the radiator or some sort of intercooler) could be hair from the animal or something burned.

I haven't driven the car since, I'm afraid some of the plastic could of damaged something or tore a line. I will have the car towed tomorrow after work in hopes to get it fixed.

I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me some educated guesses as to what that hissing sound could of been?

Here are pics:











**Edited to reorganise the pictures for a better fit**

Dirtyswiff

Thats horrible man, i feel bad for your car but glad u are safe, as for the groundhog, look on the bright side, atleast it didnt get hit by just any car, but by an RX8. I think u completed its life.... if anything. lol

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Welcome aboard!

You should be getting better mileage than that, unless you're ripping it at every stop sign. 400km/tank mixed city/highway is a good benchmark IMO. Hope the sparkplugs help, and don't wait too long on coils. Don't worry about buying good stuff

As for the damage, sorry to see that man, but it looks mostly cosmetic. See if you can reattach that undertray and check for leaks after the car has been sitting for a bit. There isn't that much that can be easily damaged under there, not by a small critter.

Venko

Yeah, I'm counting myself lucky that it was a groundhog that I hit and not a moose. I have a feeling that things would of ended differently. Thanks for your concern



Hiya, thanks for the welcome. I ziptied the undertray for now, Tuesday it will be fixed..


The sparkplugs were changed yesterday along with other maintainance that needed to be done at 60k km. I seem to be getting better mileage, but it could be wishful thinking. I will give it a few days for a final verdict.

60k km maintainance 600$:

0.6 Labour - Replace Spark Plugs - 53.97$
0.5 Labour - Flush transmission - 44.97$
0.5 Labour - Flush rear diff - 44.97$
1.0 Labour - Brake fluid flush - 89.95$
1.0 Parts - OEM spark plug set - 269.68$
2.0 Parts - Manual Transmission fluid Gl-5 75w90 - 24.90$
2.0 Parts - Rear Diff Fluid Gl-5 w90 - 21.95$
1.0 Parts - DOt 3 Brake Fluid - 16.56$



The damage from the groundhog encounter is getting fixed Tuesday. Cost about 750$ for the 2 parts and AC condenser + refill.


engine undercover tray F15165110D 145.65$
cover plate? F151561Y1D 26.38$
AC condenser 235.50
Labour: 3.5hr 227.50

Next things I wanna take care of include the engine mounts, cleaning MAF, upgrading ignition...

I went and got a quote for getting the engine mounts changed. OEM mounts were 97, 210, 210 and 97$ and 50$ for a bracket that holds it all in place. The shop is asking 1.5hr to do it for a grand total of about 900$... I think it would be better to just get BHR mounts and pay the 1.5 hr to get them mounted.

Venko

Here is an update of what happened about an hour ago. I'm sort of pissed because the guy says it is 100% my fault and I do not agree with him. I will try to explain what happened as best as I can.


I was driving home from work, it was raining heavily. I was in the left lane and then put the blinker and changed into the right lane. About 5-10 seconds later, the car in front of me suddenly did a full stop. I stomped on the break and stopped right before I hit the car infront of me. The car behind me did not stop in time and hit me in the back. The force of the hit pushed me forward and I touched the car infront of me.

The guy infront of me said that someone cut him off and he slammed the breaks to avoid hitting him. The guy infront of me has a small scratch that is barely visible on his rear bumper.

I have some extensive damage on the rear of my car, it is possible that my exhaust system is damaged or maybe more.

The car behind me has some extensive damage to the front of his car.

My car and the car behind me got towed.

The police came and I explained that I changed lanes and a few moments after had to brake hard due to the car infront of me stopping. The guy behind me claims that I suddenly changed lanes and cut him off and then did a brake check on him.

The police said that there are no witnesses and that there was heavy rain and no one is to blame.

I took pictures of my rear and the front of the guy behind me (chevy impala-taxi).
There is a picture with flash and one without flash for both. I am having a bit of a hard time understanding how come the damage on my car seem to be lower/under my vehicle while the other car has dmg on the higher part..




no flash





with flash










no flash





with flash

Stephen T

Under heavy braking the car nose dives and hits you low. You were stationary and so he scooped under you effectively. It actually proves you were stopped when he hit you. It is always the following drivers fault. He is a cabbie, he's not going to admit fault. Talk to your insurance company. Hope this helps.

Eldragon0

Good guy, good car, bad luck. I hope you can get your insurance company to see the taxi cab driver liable. Best of luck on getting your 8 back on the road!

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

+1 on that^

Venko

Thanks for making me feel better. After all the yelling the guy did and saying how I was to blame, I sort of started believing it. Also, thanks for explaining to me the physics of the accident. I mean, I guess it is logical but my brain wasn't processing the information correctly at the time. You did help me with your vote of confidence. I have spoken with my insurance, but today is a holiday in Quebec (Saint-Jean-Baptiste ). So just about everything is closed, including my insurance company. I was able to reach the emergency phone line and get myself a rental vehicle, but will have to wait until tomorrow to speak to an expert and start solving this issue. I will explain to them what happened and make sure to put emphasis that I was already stopped when the taxi hit me. I will send them the pictures. Hopefully my rates won't go up too much and it won't take too long to get my 8 fixed. Thanks again for your support!




Thanks a lot Its hard to explain how much it means to have people cheering your forward through difficult times. I think that 2013 was an unlucky year for me, had more accidents and incidents in 3 months than I did in the whole 4 years I was driving. But in a way, it could also be considered luck because I was able to discover a new car community filled with wonderful people. Thanks for wishes





Thanks :D I will keep you guys updated on how the situation develops .

Tweaked Tay

That sucks hard, but Ontario law states he is entirely at fault.

Insurance Act - R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 668

Enjoy your free, shiny new bumper!

Venko

Thanks for the links you've showed me on the IRC. If it all goes well, you got yourself several cases of beer as discussed when you pass by :p