aussie_nate

I am new to the Rx8 club and would greatly appreciate any advice or help I can get! Here is my situation below....Thank you very much for your time and consideration!

I have a rx8 04 with 84,400 miles had purchased used with 51,100 about 3 yrs ago. I replaced the starter back in 2016 (not a 2.0 kw that I hear might be better) and alternator (remanufactured from dealer 4/17). I had some starting issues and cell codes that came up 1/5/17 P0443 purge valve and P0302 miss fire in cylinder 2 and my engine light was on prior to my inspection due 1/17. Thus I decided in order to pass inspection I would get all of this done including new ignition coils, spark plugs and vapor canister valve also known as Canister Purge Soleniod. I spent over $847 for all of this. I just recently had my car serviced at my dealer (Last week 12/17) for recall 1017e of fuel tank leak issue and had fuel ring and gasket and fuel pump etc and they also did the other recall 1117e for 04 rx8 remove and replace both lower arm ball joint and front lower control arm.

My car continues to have starting issues usually not starting on 1st try from cold start and then usually starts up fine. If I've been driving and then park and come back to car say 5 mins later on a "hot start" car will again plague me with sometimes 2 or more tries before starting. It will turn over and crank etc just take several times sometimes. I dont give it any gas as to try not to flood it. But If I am driving and then stop here or there I am faced with the thought or dilemma will my car start up next time?? Gosh?? I mean is that what rx8 04s can hope for?? Even yesterday (after having car sit 2 days due to 2 snow events here in Philly) I started the car after 2 or 3 tries and after not having any cell codes or engine light come on had the engine light glowing again. I took it to the same place that serviced my car back on 1/5/17 thinking maybe was spark plugs and ignition coils and purge solenoid etc and he pulled a code P2070 claiming was IMT Valve Stuck Open and not the other things mentioned related to all the ignition work I had done.

I say all this because I have a 24,000 miles or 2 yr warranty covering the parts and labor they gave me free with the work done on the car 1/5/17 with Confidence Plus North American Warranty. I called them and they assured me they would honor the repairs as long as 25 miles from service performed on car. But here I sit with this NEW code and wondering how I can RESOLVE this?? I had the work done back on 1/5/17 at that time with 75,760 miles and now have 84,400 as mentioned not even 10,000 miles since having everything replaced! I TRULY love the rx8 and would like to keep it but now with all of this and facing my current inspection due 1/18 I just don't know how much more I can do?? It feels like a repetion of what I had the year prior almost same time and gotta think having the RIGHT coils, spark plugs and such would have to make a BIG difference in the performance of the car? I thought of BHR or comparable thinking it has to be better than what I have now and have to assume whatever coils and spark plugs I have is basic at best? I have tried to keep the car as best as possible using Continental Extreme Contact 225/45/18 tires and really kept it otherwise stock (auto with upgraded leather seats and moonroof etc) I know the warranty I have after speaking to them on phone mentioned they would cover the $847 I spent at that previous shop. Do I take it to another shop 25 miles away and see if they can RESOLVE this? I just know it has to be a "good thing" to have this done and want to get as much bang for the buck out of this warranty as possible. They even said you can go to a dealer and they will replace the ignition parts etc but if I go there then going forward I would be under the dealer warranty.

I guess need a little guidance or best way to handle this?? I should mention I have not had a Compression test done and wondering is THAT my next step before doing anything else?? I also found out when car was recently at dealer for recalls they mentioned I have 2 motor mounts that need to be replaced. I imagine the norm after 84,000 miles? I didnt get any inspection done but they mentioned to me when they did their full circle free look at car that this would be a requirement to pass inspection. Great??! Another I am sure $800 for those! (As they quoted me not including tax etc)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I really would love to keep the car but I'm just wearing thin on how I can DO THIS and not go broke in the process! I mean is it just ditch everything and get a 09+ rx8 that is sorted out better than what I'm dealing with now?? I've already dumped heaps into this so far. I'd love to get to a conclusion and know the car is right!

Appreciate any help that can be provided! I live in NE Philly. Does any one know a reputable rx8 shop close by that works JUST on rx8s I can take it to?? I am trying to be optimistic here and so tired of the run around and not getting quality work! I always try to stay away from the "stealership" and try to find places that are credible and even searched Repairpal.com thinking this would steer me to again a "credible" shop that works on rx8s!

Thanks,

Nate
Can reach me at natebmw320i@hotmail.com (Had a 320i way back in 1981 and kept the email. Heck that car had 175,000 miles before I got rid of her!)

Andrew5190

iTrader: (1)

Classic signs of low compression. Get a compression test before you start throwing parts at it. If it's an automatic with that mileage on the original engine, a rebuild is likely on the menu.

There's plenty of PA members on here that could chime in on shops nearby.

aussie_nate

Thanks Andrew5190! Yes car is auto. I guess Compression test way to go?? I guess check a shop who can do this? I will look on rx8 club guess see if any members could recommend one near me here in NE Philly? Any idea on cost for Compression test? I believe I checked repairpal.com wanted $100 or so? When I was at the "stealership" for the recalls they told me much more. Hence the reason they are what they are!

Thanks again for reply really appreciate it Andrew!

Steve Dallas

Typical price for a compression test at the dealer is $150. Mine quoted me $250, though. It is about a 1 hour job.

You must get a rotary-specific compression test using a rotary compression tester. The results will be 3 pressure numbers per rotor, plus cranking RPM for each rotor. Those data are normalized to 250RPM at sea level and compared to a compression chart for interpretation.

A normal mechanic cannot do this for you.

aussie_nate

Hmmm got it! Hey Steve thanks for that info! Did you get yours at the dealer? As you say a normal mechanic can't do this for me so I guess find rx8 shop or succumb to dealer prices? Yep I believe the Compression test will be the required step for me. How did your test go with your Car? Hope all went well? I'll start researching places to go...would love to avoid dealer if possible???

Thanks again for your reply Steve!

Loki

iTrader: (1)

The P2070 is a new code unrelated to the work you had done previously. This isn't super unexpected, the car is 13 years old. Things will wear out. Your first post is full of freak-out, so let's just take this one step at a time.

If you're not getting a misfire code, then leave your ignition alone for now.
Get that compression test done. You'll know where you stand, but I don't actually believe it's the cause of your current problems.
The valve stuck open would mess with your idle and starting performance, and is a common issue. If you plan to keep the car, focus on fixing that. Search for "SSV cleaning" and see if that's a job you're willing to take on yourself. If not, bring it to someone who knows RX8s. You shouldn't need to replace any parts, it's just cleaning.

Chrishoky

iTrader: (9)

Id suggest John Kennedy Mazda in Conshohocken, not that far from Philly. Thats where Ive had my recalls done and where I had my compression test done about 2 years ago. If I remember correct it was $125.