Hi all, I'm sorta new to these motors and have yet to rebuild one. But I'm thinking it may come sooner than I'm ready. I bought an 05 rx-8 gt with a 6 speed m\t, it has 74k on it today and 71k when i bought it. When it's cold it starts right up, but the past 2 days when its hot it won't start for 5 mins. After I wait she fires up fine, literally five mins is all. Now my first thought was Apex seals are starting to give way. But just for good measure I changed the spark plugs, wires, coil packs, and oil. And the problem persists. So today when I filled up on 93 octane, I threw a quart of 2 stroke oil in there with 11 gallons of gas and it changed everything! Not only is it reving smoother but also feels pepier and starts every time. So I'm now convinced it is the seals, and I'm wondering how much time I might have bought myself to save up, ( also if I remove the engine before it eats the seals, can I just change the seals like piston rings if all else is in good shape, or am I most likely gunna have to buy new irons as well.) Thanks in advance.

 

You need to get a rotary specific compression test. You have the classic symptom of low compression indicating the need for an engine rebuild. How much tine do you have? No one can say. Maybe 2,000 miles ..,. maybe 20 miles.

 

Ya I was guessing that was the case, I was just wondering though about the apex seals, kinda assuming there the culprit with the low compression, but coming from piston engines to this I'm still figuring it all out. On a piston engine if the bore isn't scored up bad u can getaway with just replacing rings when compression loss occurs, so is it the same with the Wankel? If the iron isn't out of spec can I just replace the apex seals? Or is that a no no for these? Also can someone tell me if they make lower compression rotors for the renesis? I've been looking at all sites trying to find them, but I keep getting pics of brake rotors XD, its driving me mad

 

Thanks for the help though Colon, i appreciate any help here lol. My buddy owns a rather large machine shop and we've always built my other motors there, ( mostly 4g63's) but because this is completely different its litterally like learning to walk again. I've got no idea where to start.

 

Welcome.
I'm not an expert, but I think it depends on the condition of the housings.
I haven't researched the actual method of rebuilding, but have seen it mentioned a lot.
I think there is probably a DIY thread or some other more detailed information on the web.
From what I've read, there are some specialized tools needed, and some attention to clearances.
That being said, I work with a guy who had a nephew that would occasionally change out the seals on his RX7, and it seemed to work for him.
If you have another vehicle to DD, and are mechanically inclined, why not give it a shot?
Good luck!
*edit* just out of curiosity, I Googled "RX8 DIY Rebuild" and there are beaucoup sites on it.

 

Check out this thread. Post #2 contains links to just about everything you wanna know:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...engine-180393/

 

Ya, I talked it over with my buddy today and we're just gunna dive in and figure it all out, it'll probably come in handy for him as well because there aren't any rotary engine shops at all near me, so it wouldn't be a bad platform to learn and it would be a nice way to help out- make money.

 

I'll keep posted once the engines out and dismantled