Magus4

Hey guys, I've been reading these forums for about a month now. I was looking into buying a car this year and one day realized I could buy an RX8, a car I've wanted for nearly 12 years now.

So I did the smart thing and hit the interwebs. To be sure I was ready to own such a car, I knew it had the rotary engine and wanted to be sure I wasn't getting in over my head.

I purchased a 2004 RX8 A/T (I know I know the bastard 4port AT of the RX8 world.) It was the 5th one I attempted to purchase, however the others had been sold before I could attempt to finalize any purchase.

I have done some research and I have my head somewhat where it needs to be to properly maintain this car and have prepared for the troubles that may be ahead.

My car has 86,000 miles on it and has only had one owner. Very clean car.

Looking forward to trying to absorb the information this community has to offer.

I've read the sticky for new owners, but still remain with a few questions.

Two that really stand out are:

1- The CEL blinks (misfire right?) but it only seems to do it if I turn the key forward for power and off then back on a few times in succession - Did this a few times recently due to a room fuse problem. Is this STILL misfire or something else?

2- What rpms should the A/T be idle at? Mine is at a point that I've only seen in "Engine Failure" videos. Barely above tick just under 1000 rpms, 850ish I guess?

Thanks guys and hope to be a part of this community for a long time coming!

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Welcome,

Misfire is only when the car is running. And it only flashes when the misfire occurs.

Idle is about 850, no worries there.

I strongly suggest reading through the 2 threads in my signature. And, if you do not know the history on the ignition, test it (good threads here) and replace if needed. I want to integrate the coil test procedure in Congrats thread, but need to perform it first.

And, again, welcome. From what I can tell, the cars can last. Make sure the oil is changed regularly, make sure it stays topped off, and let it run occasionally (high RPM shift points AFTER the oil has been changed from whatever it had when you got it).

Good luck, read on..

Magus4

Thanks Green, yea I have a few things I know I need to do - Ignition, plugs, wires, etc the basics that have to be done ever so often. Not knowing what the previous owner did worries me so I plan to do it all, to be safe.

Oil was changed an hour before I bought the car, changed that just to be sure it was 5/20 never know what the guy put in it haha.

I will for sure read through your sig posts. Thanks!

gwilliams6

I would not spend too much on other items UNTIL you get a rotary compression test to know the health of your engine. That has to come first before you throw money at other possible necessary items.

RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule from actual experiences of thousands of RX8 owners, worldwide
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.


every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.

Magus4

That is AWESOME! I will be sure to run down all the lists for sure. I do appreciate it from the both of you. I understand owning this sports car is a bit of a hassle compared to your regular 'ol car. I gotta say though, I love it. Can't wait to get everything on the level and start modding the car both internal and cosmetic. This car is absolutely a work of art, in my opinion.

OnebaddRx8

Welcome, I also own one of the hated 04 AT 's.
Most on here hate them but I don't still fun to drive and using the paddle shifters you can run 2nd gear up to 80mph.
Listen to the guys above and read, read, and read some more.
My suggestions are to be proactive with maintenance don't wait till it breaks.
Use your paddle shifters don't run around at 1800 rpm in 4th gear doing 30 mph, drive it get the rpms up there I don't use 4th unless I'm doing over 55-60,(there is a difference between driving the **** out of it and beating on it).
Consider premixing since our engine from what I've read has the highest failure rate of any.
Last maybe purchase a BHR ignition kit and a Sohn adapter I'm going to do both since I own one of the damned 8's if it will make my engine last any longer and make maintenance easier I'm going to try. Good Luck!

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Good advice ^^^

I did not think about the default to low RPM around town. I wonder if over-drive can just be left off. I think the low RPM generates unburned fuel, which generates carbon deposits as well as clogs the cat and elevates cat temps. Both of which are bad.

OneBad, how much of a difference does it make if OD is off, if you can turn OD off?

Magus4

I try and keep it above 2000 rpms period. Around town my speed limits are 45-55 so I only hit 4th around 45 or so when I know I'm not slowing down anytime soon, and cruising, other wise at 50+. So when OD kicks in I'm still above the 2k rpm. I try and shift around 3500 or 4k. First thing I plan to do is replace the ignition, but I really would like to wait just a bit longer so I can get the recommended one, the BHR.

OnebaddRx8

04 I don't know of any overdrive I may be wrong.
I had an 87 fc rx7 AT that had a sport button I believe that would raise the rpms by 500.
Learning what I know now I never got the rpms over 6k I'm sure carbon is what killed the apex seals.
Magus use the paddle shifters shift it higher than 5k every so often, I keep mine above 2500rpm most of the time I hardly ever use drive.

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

Magus4

Yea I get on it at least once per day, been trying to do it every time i drive it for now - again not sure how the last owner treated it so. I will at least touch 7k before I cut it off, even if it is in park when I do it... but it is so much more fun to do it while driving.

Thanks for all the tips so far guys, I'm trying to plan out my next couple of weeks maintenance using the links and things you guys have noted.

Here's a somewhat decent pic of it. The car is very clean. Needs new brakes pretty soon, lots of road saltings and salt water do them no good haha. I suppose that's the bad thing about living 10 minutes from the beach where the temp can get sub 0 lol.

kevinande

Nice Color. That would have been my first choice other than my Silver. I have never owned an auto RX8, so I don't know what the RPM difference is between when the OD is off versus being on. Or even if the car has an OD. I don't think there is anything special about the RX8 AT versus any other vehicle. That said driving around with it off only creates extra heat and faster fluid breakdown. Which equals more frequent Xmsn oil changes or a dead transmission if you don't take care of it properly. The higher the RPM's the more heat generated in the engine as well. High RPM's are good for preventing carbon caking, but bad for heat generation. So holding it at high RPM's for prolonged periods of time probably would not be wise. Not to mention the extra fuel consumption. Shifting manually, holding it at max for a few seconds while accelerating should be more than sufficient. Being an auto your already being robbed of about 2000 RPM anyway. Other wise just drive it and have fun

Magus4

Ok so I've noticed that my car's exhaust puts out a bit of smoke when it first cranks, for about a minute or two... it really is not that bad in warmer weather (not that I have much experience with that - warmest day since I bought it was 45 lol) but it seems to be more of a whitish color.

Water jacket/seal leak right? BUT from what I hear that smells sweet like coolant. This smells more like rich fuel. I read rich fuel is blackish, oil is blueish, and coolant is whitish. So... what could this be, normal?