HoldYaBreath

Hey everybody, bought an 04 Rx8 about 2 months ago.
In general, it starts kind of slow, even with a new starter, so I'm thinking compression issue, but I'm going to drive it till it dies on me.

However, issue I have now is that I was driving it this afternoon, let it warm up fully before I even put it out of idle, drove for about 10-15 minutes before I revved it, then got it on the interstate, floored it, heard like a pop sound, but was listening to music and not really paying attention. Was thinking it could have been me blowing carbon out or something (don't know if this makes sense, but it's why I didn't pay much mind to it, hadn't red-lined it in a couple days).

Well, get off the interstate and I am still driving fairly hard, rev it up in like 3rd gear or so, hear another loud sound, and see I'm belching white smoke from my exhaust. Immediately ease off, see that my oil pressure light has come on, but my oil gauge is still displaying plenty of oil pressure. Drive it home (was only about a mile away) at low revs the entire time. Engine seemed to responding normally, but again, I didn't try it, just in case. About halfway home, engine temp starts to rise, so I turned on heater, and it went down to normal. Literally what it always rides at. Another 1/4 of the way, and I turned off the heat to test it, temperature stayed where it was. Got home, checked my dipstick, looked kind of milky and frothy (dear god), rechecked and it was normal. Normal oil level on the dipstick. I did not check coolant, and it is dark now, will check in the morning. I also have not checked the air filter. No leaks underneath the car, and didn't see anything in the compartment, but it's dark out. Is it as bad as I think it is?

For the record, I forget what its called, but I have the gravity fed oil kit to send oil into my engine (the conversion box that goes where your windshield wiper fluid is supposed to go), and it still has plenty of oil in it.

New Yorker

I don't know about your car's other symptoms, but the "milky oil" - frightening as it looks - is NOT a problem, believe it or not. It happens only in cold weather and while it looks scary, it's nothing to worry about. Mazda revised the part to stop that from happening, but it has no negative effect on your engine's health or performance.

HoldYaBreath

That would reassure me, but I live in Florida, and it was like 80 degrees yesterday, not cold enough to cause this I don't think.

HoldYaBreath

So after more testing today, when I first start the car, it belches white smoke, a pretty good amount. This trickles down as the car heats up to normal temp. Not really noticeable once idling unless I am looking for it, but definitely still there.

Dipstick oil looked good, coolant level looked good, but I hadn't measured it before hand so i don't know. Car still idles fine, sounds great as I'm revving it (in neutral). Don't really notice smoke as my foot is on the accelerator, got it up to about 5-6k Revs after like 10 seconds or so. Once I take it off, I get more smoke. Hot starting the car gets an extra belch of white smoke as well.

Oil pressure light is back off, runs at same temp it usually does, oil pressure gauge is at it usually is. Pretty much, if there was no white smoke I wouldn't have any idea something is wrong with the car, still seems to be running perfectly.

As of right now, I'm thinking about running some Blue Devil gasket sealer through it (I am well aware an rx8 has no head gasket). This should work right? Or is there some reason I don't want to put it in my car (If I'm going to have to pay $$$ for this engine anyway, there's not much reason to not give it a shot right?)

Cold Start picture (bit Late):


Hot Start picture (not as late)


After Reving picture, pretty much immediate:

HoldYaBreath

OK, replying to bump this plus update.

So after some more research, blue devil won't work because my leaking seal is not stationary? It spins? That means if this really is the problem, I require an engine rebuild. Is there any temporary fix that would allow me to drive this without possibly harming the engine?

All this should be is removing the engine, taking it apart, replacing the seals and putting it back together right?

This also means that as long as I didn't do a lot of damage to the engine somehow, this should be fairly cheap for an engine rebuild right?

Secondly, as somebody who never takes my cars into a mechanic, this is something I probably couldn't do, correct? (my experience is bodywork, radiators, starters, basic stuff like that). I'm assuming this is one of those things where if I have to ask, I shouldn't, plus I can't find any guides here on the forum.

Live in the Tampa area, looking at Pettit Racing and Lowes automotive, any other suggestions? Trying not to leave this sitting for too long, should I drain the coolant and run this for a little bit just to make sure there is no water in the engine?

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

Pettit Racing is good stuff. I had lots of laughter posted about removing and replacing seals but at that point in time you might as well just do the entire damn engine. If it's apart, it's probably already ready for a rebuild candidate. Might as well carve it open and make sure it's healthy again.

Temporary Fix = Harming Engine. No two ways about it.

HoldYaBreath

One more thing, since I don't want to start a new thread:

I have a friend who has done an engine rebuild on his Rx7. How similar is the engine to an Rx8? Is it something me and him could tackle over a weekend?

Loki

iTrader: (1)

The problem is not so much what you can tackle. There's a certain skill involved, sure, but the main problem is surprises when you open the engine. Say your housings are flaking, what do you do? Put it back together and hope for the best? Try to find good condition housings? Either way your weekend project has now turned into an indetermined duration. If you're OK with that, like if this is not your primary mode of transport, that's one thing. If you need this car to get around, you might consider paying more for a ready built engine, and you weekend project is just swapping it in.

Love_Hounds

Get Head and Shoulders

HoldYaBreath

Well it was my primary transport, but I don't need it for the next month and a half or so. I can do without. How long can I leave it before stuff starts to run amiss? I read somewhere on here that I don't want to leave it too long, since coolant/water in the engine area could start to rust/foul. Was thinking about idling it every couple days or so, but not sure how much that would actually help, or if it would hurt it.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

If it's actively leaking coolant into the chambers, then yes, waiting will be bad. However, if you lay up the car and drain the coolant, it can sit for some time. Either way that engine has to come out, so you may as well get started. Since you have time, you can get it out and apart, see what can be saved, and decide what you need to buy from there. Maybe it's all fine, maybe it's all not fine. One way to find out.

If you don't care and just want a lasting solution, a rebuild from Pineapple or Pettit or RotaryResurrection is your ticket.

Squeegee

x2, leaking coolant into the chambers is bad