gwilliams6

My guess ,bad front 02 sensor ,intake vacuum/valving issue, and/or engine compression.

You need a rotary-specific compression test on that engine, especially at that mileage. Read about this and other important things in this thread, if you haven't already: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/


RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
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.

Welcome, and all the best to you and your ride !
__________________

Dom rx-8

I have recently bought a 2005 mazda rx8 and it was in bad shape its doing better with help of these threads but i need more help

1. Every time i stop i smell gas fumes from the vents of the car

2. What are some better rain tires

3. Why does my sterring wheel shake when i first start the car.

If some one could please help me i would greatly appreciate it.

Reoze

1. Do you have a CEL? This would likely point to an issue with the evap system.

2. Better than what?

3. There are several threads regarding power steering issues. It's likely either the connectors or the rack itself.

Dom rx-8

How do i found out if i have a CEL and what is it
Also i have bf goodrich g force comp-2 tread wear 400 traction aa temp a

UnknownJinX

You could either go to an Autozone to get your code read for free, or just buy a Bluetooth OBD2 reader and hook it up to your phone. I personally have a more expensive reader that can also read live data.

gwilliams6

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surve...jsp?type=UHPAS

Tire Rack's Ultra High Performance All-Season Tire Ratings.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surve...ay.jsp?type=MP

Tire Rack's Max Performance Summer Tire Ratings

yakuza

Hi, new member here, thanks so much for the "New and Potential Owners" thread, I've been reading through it. I've owned two RX-7's in the past, my first car was a 79 back in 1992 and I owned a '86 in the late 1990's, always loved the rotary engines and am familiar with their quirks. When the RX-8 came out I wanted one desperately but was starting a family so it didn't fit in the budget. I've now found what seems to be a decent one locally and would like your input.

EDIT: Removed the info for the car I had in mind, I decided to pass on that one as the replacement motor was a used motor of unknown origin. I've found another that's nicer, it costs a bit more but I'm looking at it this weekend. If the compression test looks good I'll probably get it. I look forward to participating here.

Lancr735

i also have bf goodrich g force comp-2 on my 8, like um, good stick in dry and do good in wet, look sexy too

Rx8project

Ok guys, I've searched everywhere for this but the search function brings up anything remotely mentioned to the 'key words'. I have an AT 04 rx8 with 81k miles, I've been reading up on how to tune and maintain it properly here, but i want to go a step further and get the RB track/street ecu tune, but it says its for MT rx8s, I know this may sound stupid but anyone know if it will work on an AT rx8? Or if it will work only on manual mode (automatic tranny)? Thanks in advance guys!

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

ECU''s are different so it won't work.....

UnknownJinX

Different engine, different transmission, so no.

​

Tho mas

Should the radiator fan also be replaced at any time? I read through the new owner thread, but the discussion of what cooling components should be replaced didn't mention the fan at all. On the other hand, it warns that if any component of the cooling system fails, the engine may be lost, so I'm a little worried...
(I have a Series 2, but from what I read its cooling system isn't any better.)

Codyscott

So my back left strut is leaking so I decided to replace them with coilovers I just need opinions on which of the three I should get, ride height doesn't really matter to me I like the stock height but I would like to be able to increase the handling a bit I know coilovers alone won't do that but which would be best for me?

https://raceland.com/mazda-coilovers...coilovers.html

https://www.redline360.com/megan-rac...SABEgJOJfD_BwE

GSM56-81SS2 - TEIN Dampers - Street Basis Z - Race Consulting Agency - PARTS | KNOWLEDGE | PASSION

Thanks for any feedback .

gwilliams6

The fans, in good shape ,should last quite a few years. Mine are still working fine after 8 years. There are some upgraded aftermarket fans out there, but be sure they fit like oem. New oem fans can be had for not too much money if you search well. Many here will use a lower temperature fan switch to turn on the fans sooner for added cooling. There are a couple of such kits available that would work with a series 2. I have such a kit on my series 1 with a new Koyo V-series aluminum radiator , new hoses and coolant overflow AST system.

There are dedicated threads here about cooling issues and mods.

Reoze

It should probably be worth noting that just because the fan is spinning does not mean that it's still running within specifications. I've seen several people on these boards state that fan performance was degrading pretty rapidly over time.

Tho mas

Thanks for your help! I actually already ordered a Mazmart thermostat to have the fans kick in earlier. Other than that, most of the upgraded parts aren't available for the S2 AT, unfortunately (eg, Mazmart radiator and water pump, Koyo V-series aluminum radiator), so I'm planning to just by new oem parts (except for the regular Koyo radiator, since it's cheaper than oem).

I did find a lot of threads on cooling upgrades, but I only autocross my car and don't track it. so I wanted to avoid the additional expense from custom-fitting things like a larger fan and radiator...
What I'm interested in is mainly preventative maintenance of the cooling system, and along the way address the known shortcomings of the stock system (fan kicking in too late). If there are affordable upgrades, I'll do them, but as I mentioned above, aside from the Mazmart thermostat the better parts either aren't available for the S2 AT or seem to require quite a bit of work to fit (which unfortunately I can't do myself).

What I barely found any information on in the forum – except for the new owner thread – or elsewhere is preventative maintenance rather than cooling problems or upgrades. If RIWWP is right that more 8s are lost to cooling than anything else, and that at 100k (which is where I am right now) everything in the stock cooling system is suspect, this seems surprising.

Bottom line, I'm leaning towards just replacing the fans now, since I don't want to take any chances that they fail and I don't notice in time (and also since it should be easier to replace at the same time with the other cooling components, I suppose).

rurupun

Just wondering what the best way is to remove the 3 front studs for the cat. Is there a specific way of removing them? Trying to install a new exhaust system and would like to reuse the same 3 studs.

Thanks!

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

How does that work?

Tho mas

The thermostat? It simply sets a lower temperature at which cooling (water pump and fans) starts. I don't have an exact understanding, but I imagine this is equivalent to reprogramming the ECU to start cooling earlier (e.g through COBB accessport).

UnknownJinX

Use some WD40, and hammer them out.

In my experience, you are better off using new bolts. Hammering it out will most likely mess up the threads.

UnknownJinX

Are you talking about an aftermarket fan relay?

Reoze

Are you sure the bolts come out? Mine are definitely stuck on my cat.

Remove the 3 nuts, remove the other side of the cat that meets the exhaust and pull towards the rear of the car.

gwilliams6

Yes

https://www.rx8performance.com/produ...an-control-kit

https://rotaryperformance.com/produc...-fan-relay-kit

UnknownJinX

Thanks!

So will these work on a S2? Doesn't say on either website.

It doesn't look like it messes with ECU.

I will order them if they do work on a S2.

Tho mas

But wouldn't it make more sense to rather get the Mazmart thermostat, since it seems to have the same effect, is cheaper ($70), and also the thermostat should be replaced every 60k anyway (according to the RX 8 club recommended maintenance schedule in the new owner thread)? Or are there any benefits to these fan relays that I'm missing?