Rotary Motor Help!
 

Hello! We are looking for some feedback and advice from people that have experience with the RX8! Our daughter, (still in high school), owns a 2004 RX8 (manual) for about two years now. The car has 54,000 miles on it and she loves it! There was an oil leak that we had repaired by a local Mazda dealership and thought we were good to go. Apparently the serpentine belt broke and since it was night time and we live very rural, she tried to make it home but ended up stranded because the car started to over heat. My husband pulled he spark plugs and water poured everywhere and there was coolant all over as well. Called a rotary mechanic and was told there was a crack in the block and the motor was junk. They said a new one would be about $6000 and advised against a used one due to the seals going bad. We simply cannot put $6000 in a car that probably is not worth that and now we're stuck and discouraged! Would you all also advise against a used one and cut our losses with the car and sell it for what we can or does anyone have any great advice on what other options we have? Thanks in advance for your time and input!

What state/area are you in?

the motor is most likely shot. overheating a rotary is bad news. there probably isnt much left useable from the short block. contact rotary resuriction if you want to get a rebuild. can you pull and install an engine?

We are in Florida.

My husband could. Thank you, we hadn't heard of them so I'll see what I can find out.

hes a member here and hes from tn

Rotary Resurrection is in TN, you have a more local option of Pettit Racing. More expensive, but not having to ship the engine or car around might offset the cost increase and be more convenient. Both are reputable builders. If you find another rebuilder, check with us first. There aren't too many reputable builders in the US.

Thank you so much, I'll check with both!

Get out from under it. I too was going to put my daughter in a stock Rx8, after 3 clutch job's and curbed wheel's daily I now have put her in a jacked up large tire Chevy 4x4 2500 truck. No more curbed wheel's and she loves it. Plus I feel more comfortable that she is in a heavy, tall 4x4 truck that most car's would run under it on side, front , or rear collision's.

my brother has dealt with Pettit racing in the past, very good and reputable shop. good luck!