I recently bought an 05 rx8 that didn't run. I knew nothing about the rotary engines AND have learned lots on these sites the car starts and runs but really rough sounds like its running on 1 cylinder car smokes like crazy Did a compression test one side had 120 and the other side had 40. When I taken to the mazda dealer he said that you can't use a normal comp tester but from what I got. It should be an indication or am I wrong. Can someone help me or offer some guidance. Thanks

 

Start here... https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

 

Welcome! The mazda dealer is correct, they should be able to do the compression test for you.

The above link will have all the info you will need - I've spent hours studying it in anticipation for buying my first rx8

 

Welcome,
read stickies above, misfire threads, et al.
Usual suspects;
No.1, Mazda dealer for compression check.
Probably will get codes checked also.
Other common follow ups; check cat, plugs-wires-coils, MAF & ESS cleaning , 20 brake stomp.

l did all of these on mine except comp. test.
I had a bad cat, coil & plug, but it was running good
at first, and then started running rough.
You didn't get comp. test while you were at Dealer?

 

I haven't brought it to the dealer yet I changed the plugs. 2 were dead a leading and a trailing plug were bad when I start it it smokes like a bastard blue smoke no was thinking maybe a bad coil on the side that the plugs were gone. Gonna try that tomorrow and see if that it no have a feeling. That the motor is bad. The kid I bought it from didn't know Anything. He thought he was checkin the oil but really he was checking the transmission. Lol. So when I checked the oil there was hardly anything in there.

 

That is not good. I don't think you should invest any more money or time til you get a compression check. You must know how important oil is to an 8, yes?
Oil has to be added often, and if the last owner didn't even check it, he probably killed the engine.
Good luck.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm gonna bring it to the dealer and get it checked out