An introduction and maybe a problem.
10-29-2016, 02:04 PM
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An introduction and maybe a problem.
I wanted to post just to say hello at some point but thought this would be the best place and time to do so. Just purchased a 2004 RX8 this Monday and did so with a good bit of knowledge on the vehicle, though none of it first hand so some things were missed.
However despite this it seems to have dodged a great deal of the typical issues thanks to the first owner (carfax reports are great) keeping it for 10 years or so and doing an amazing job with the maintenance records. the following two owners weren't so keen on the vehicle which is how its pleasantly parked outside, but they at least held it together before it got here.
Also a reason for buying is I have a good deal of local support for the car, a friend who runs a mechanic shop 15 minutes from home has hot rodded Rx-7's his entire life and is my local go to for most car stuff i can't handle (no shop sucks though that's being dealt with before december hopefully)
Another bud is a Mazda tech who's worked on these things since highschool, went to college and bam, he's been with them ever since. Great guy, a little dry but good none the less.
To give a bit of information about myself, I'm just your average 33 year old guy who isn't interested in a vehicle unless its unusual, a sports car, or screams "diesel" as it tows things down the road. So Rx7 / 8 oh yeah, that's where I like to be. I can be a bit of an idiot though (and I actually mean that) so I try to keep my opinions to myself as often as possible, watch, listen and such before opening my mouth.
Anyway on to the car itself. First owner ran it for around 70-80k miles having the engine replaced at around the typical 30k mark with every single issues dealt with by a dealership and their warranty.
That said I wasn't sold on these cars initially, then I went over a checklist with the mazda tech, my local guy, and we hit up as many checks on the car as we could at the sellers place (couldn't get a compression test, i know) but most of the other stuff checked out, no power stalls, no odd engine lights, etc: oil was good, temp didn't budge. Even the clutch assembly seemed really well put together for a 12 year old car. no squeaking, bodys a little rough but screw that, it'll get dealt with as well.
Things I know it needs, a better starter for sure it takes a while to start and like s to be a bit rough for a short bit so I think its flooding slightly.
That said that's not my biggest concern due to where I live, we don't have emissions tests so that cat's days were numbered the moment I snagged it anyway.
I was really glad to read the 4k cruising part of the "new guy" stuff on here, which that thread was MASSIVELY helpful in calming my nerves with the following issue. (50% of the reason for this post though most likely already diagnosed)
There is an oil smell after driving the car, and it appears to be allover the front of the engine, so tubes, engine itself, bottom of the alternator, the usual stuff. Was told by a friend who's a mazda tech (guy mentioned earlier) who's worked with the 13b's a lot that it's likely the front main seal, not a huge issue to replace I'm told.
But I decided to do some searching on good ole google which landed me here and I happened upon the old "White smoke isn't oil"
"oh... ****..."
I thought, so i began reading and trying to see other problems that I might be encountering. But to my knowledge I'm not smelling coolant. and the car doesn't seem to suffer power loss that I'm aware of while driving. Even made the drive home from Dallas Texas to the outskirts of Houston pretty well. Except the oil smell...
I cleaned the engine off yesterday and ran it a bit longer today to see if maybe it was just caked up oil on the items under the hood from previous issues and no it is not.
Thus begins the Rotary journey I suppose.
I should go ahead and be forth coming with my plans for the vehicle though not soon I hope, I'd like to eventually either swap the engine for a turbo model, or FI the 13B i already have after a rebuild so it can handle it. I hope none of this has to happen soon, I'd prefer to just enjoy the car after taking care of the problems it comes stock with since it's not going to be a track car of any kind, at least not now.
Hopefully this didn't make for a bad post or a hard to read one, any info on the car issues would be appreciated but it's going to be looked at soon by said mechanic anyway. Thanks guys!
However despite this it seems to have dodged a great deal of the typical issues thanks to the first owner (carfax reports are great) keeping it for 10 years or so and doing an amazing job with the maintenance records. the following two owners weren't so keen on the vehicle which is how its pleasantly parked outside, but they at least held it together before it got here.
Also a reason for buying is I have a good deal of local support for the car, a friend who runs a mechanic shop 15 minutes from home has hot rodded Rx-7's his entire life and is my local go to for most car stuff i can't handle (no shop sucks though that's being dealt with before december hopefully)
Another bud is a Mazda tech who's worked on these things since highschool, went to college and bam, he's been with them ever since. Great guy, a little dry but good none the less.
To give a bit of information about myself, I'm just your average 33 year old guy who isn't interested in a vehicle unless its unusual, a sports car, or screams "diesel" as it tows things down the road. So Rx7 / 8 oh yeah, that's where I like to be. I can be a bit of an idiot though (and I actually mean that) so I try to keep my opinions to myself as often as possible, watch, listen and such before opening my mouth.
Anyway on to the car itself. First owner ran it for around 70-80k miles having the engine replaced at around the typical 30k mark with every single issues dealt with by a dealership and their warranty.
That said I wasn't sold on these cars initially, then I went over a checklist with the mazda tech, my local guy, and we hit up as many checks on the car as we could at the sellers place (couldn't get a compression test, i know) but most of the other stuff checked out, no power stalls, no odd engine lights, etc: oil was good, temp didn't budge. Even the clutch assembly seemed really well put together for a 12 year old car. no squeaking, bodys a little rough but screw that, it'll get dealt with as well.
Things I know it needs, a better starter for sure it takes a while to start and like s to be a bit rough for a short bit so I think its flooding slightly.
That said that's not my biggest concern due to where I live, we don't have emissions tests so that cat's days were numbered the moment I snagged it anyway.
I was really glad to read the 4k cruising part of the "new guy" stuff on here, which that thread was MASSIVELY helpful in calming my nerves with the following issue. (50% of the reason for this post though most likely already diagnosed)
There is an oil smell after driving the car, and it appears to be allover the front of the engine, so tubes, engine itself, bottom of the alternator, the usual stuff. Was told by a friend who's a mazda tech (guy mentioned earlier) who's worked with the 13b's a lot that it's likely the front main seal, not a huge issue to replace I'm told.
But I decided to do some searching on good ole google which landed me here and I happened upon the old "White smoke isn't oil"
"oh... ****..."
I thought, so i began reading and trying to see other problems that I might be encountering. But to my knowledge I'm not smelling coolant. and the car doesn't seem to suffer power loss that I'm aware of while driving. Even made the drive home from Dallas Texas to the outskirts of Houston pretty well. Except the oil smell...
I cleaned the engine off yesterday and ran it a bit longer today to see if maybe it was just caked up oil on the items under the hood from previous issues and no it is not.
Thus begins the Rotary journey I suppose.
I should go ahead and be forth coming with my plans for the vehicle though not soon I hope, I'd like to eventually either swap the engine for a turbo model, or FI the 13B i already have after a rebuild so it can handle it. I hope none of this has to happen soon, I'd prefer to just enjoy the car after taking care of the problems it comes stock with since it's not going to be a track car of any kind, at least not now.
Hopefully this didn't make for a bad post or a hard to read one, any info on the car issues would be appreciated but it's going to be looked at soon by said mechanic anyway. Thanks guys!
10-29-2016, 03:59 PM
#2
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
Welcome.
Looks like you have a good grasp on it, and good friends to help you.
Just don't take them for granted, and take care of them when they give you a hand.
Looks like you have a good grasp on it, and good friends to help you.
Just don't take them for granted, and take care of them when they give you a hand.
11-17-2016, 10:44 PM
#3
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Okay to revisit, it's been a while since I've actually had the car home and been ready to do things.
Mechanic I mentioned and trust to work on it had some family problems and had to take some time off. You know how that goes so he got back a few days ago then knocked out he basics in about an hour. Good guy.
But that leaves me needing to replace the front crank seal as per the original theory. My question then comes in the form of who do I purchase from? It'll be next week before I make an order (likely monday) due to shenanigans but there's other stuff I need to do in the meantime.
Anyway, what manufacturer is trusted widely for parts like this, or do I just order strait from Mazda directly? (for that matter CAN you? I've never had a car where the company was super important in getting unique parts)
Also yes, could have gotten Frank to do it but another 100 bucks vs taking care of my own machine... yeah.
[edit] I should also mention I think I need a new panel for the AC controls inside the car. Those are doing some really weird things that I've only ever seen once on my GMC when the switch in the dash was going out, I hope its just the same issue. Air blows relatively hot unless the AC's on, then it blows cold. (will investigate more as I begin to actually use the AC/Heater, winter is coming, screw that.)
Mechanic I mentioned and trust to work on it had some family problems and had to take some time off. You know how that goes so he got back a few days ago then knocked out he basics in about an hour. Good guy.
But that leaves me needing to replace the front crank seal as per the original theory. My question then comes in the form of who do I purchase from? It'll be next week before I make an order (likely monday) due to shenanigans but there's other stuff I need to do in the meantime.
Anyway, what manufacturer is trusted widely for parts like this, or do I just order strait from Mazda directly? (for that matter CAN you? I've never had a car where the company was super important in getting unique parts)
Also yes, could have gotten Frank to do it but another 100 bucks vs taking care of my own machine... yeah.
[edit] I should also mention I think I need a new panel for the AC controls inside the car. Those are doing some really weird things that I've only ever seen once on my GMC when the switch in the dash was going out, I hope its just the same issue. Air blows relatively hot unless the AC's on, then it blows cold. (will investigate more as I begin to actually use the AC/Heater, winter is coming, screw that.)
Last edited by Maker; 11-17-2016 at 10:51 PM.
11-18-2016, 12:06 AM
#4
I'm not even sure anyone but Mazda can provide that part. However, when replacing the front main seal, you need to be reaaaal careful and use some special tools. Once you have the front stack apart, you don't want things to slide out of alignment and fall into the engine.
DIY here so you know what you're in for: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...l-seal-246275/
DIY here so you know what you're in for: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...l-seal-246275/
11-18-2016, 12:32 AM
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Thanks for the quick reply and the link. Since the 04 still isn't running a high torque starter, might be a good idea to throw that in with this as well.
[edit] my English and dyslexia are killing me today.
[edit] my English and dyslexia are killing me today.
11-18-2016, 06:34 AM
#6
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You can order a front main seal from Atkins Rotary.
I had white smoke on startup that didn't smell like coolant and a rough idle briefly after startup. Also it took longer to start up than it should have. I drove the car home to San Antonio from Austin with no problems. No power loss for 2 weeks, then one day it wouldn't start. Turns out an inner water seal had broken down and coolant had been getting into the engine. The day it wouldn't start is the day the seal completely gave in, and completely flooded the engine with coolant.
Your issue may be completely different. But as I learned, lack of power loss doesn't mean there's not a problem inside the engine.
I had white smoke on startup that didn't smell like coolant and a rough idle briefly after startup. Also it took longer to start up than it should have. I drove the car home to San Antonio from Austin with no problems. No power loss for 2 weeks, then one day it wouldn't start. Turns out an inner water seal had broken down and coolant had been getting into the engine. The day it wouldn't start is the day the seal completely gave in, and completely flooded the engine with coolant.
Your issue may be completely different. But as I learned, lack of power loss doesn't mean there's not a problem inside the engine.