2009 Rx8 Apex seals - low engine compression
 

My Rx8 only has about 89k miles on it and stopped running, quit backing out of garage. I initially thought it had flooded. This had happened before and I was able to get her started using the deflood procedure but not this time. Couldnt get started on my own so decided to take her in. Dealership reports low engine compression - apex seals. Options Rebuild engine entirely at $5069.76, replace with new engine at $7828.49 or have appraised and trade in on new mazda. If car was running they would offer me about $5500 but since engine is shot its something like $1000. This is pretty low ball. The body and paint (crystal pearl white) on this car is like the day I bought it. Interior is in good shape as well for the car being 8 years old.

Looking for feedback on what others would do. I want to offload the car. dosnt see worth it to replace engine compared to trade in value. Should I crag list it or is there other forums for those interested an RX8 project? What other options are out there?

Bad seals seemed like a problem in the earlier models but with such low miles is this a common problem for the 2009. She was a great car, no problems at all the entire time I was paying the car payment. Paid my RX8 off 4 years ago and with in last 2 years started having little issues here and there.

Well, they have no idea if it is the apex seals or not. Did they give you actual compression results?

If so, post them, if not then make them do it again and give you a print out of the results.

Sounds to me like you are getting hosed. Where are you located?

Im in Bakersfield Ca. results showed 6.5 kg, with the minimum spec being 6.9 kg. Not sure what this means.

I am thinking carbon building possibly dont know.. I was not hard on this car at all, drove her fast when I could but probably not hard enough to burn off carbon.

ya need to drive a rotary like ya stole it. as far as the comp test we need 6 #s for the compression and the rpm the test was done at. 2 rotors x 3 faces each=the 6#s

A proper rotary compression test will give you 8 numbers:
3 pressures and an RPM for the front rotor
3 pressures and an RPM for the rear rotor.

If you don't have that you need to do one of two things:
Get those numbers from the mechanic or get your money back and go get a proper rotary compression test done.

Looks like I am going to have to ask again cause those are the numbers the technician gave me from the service department which seem to be meaning less.

As soon as I get more info will post. They will have my car until about Wednesday. Had the airbag replaced from the recall and 3 weeks later the dash cracked into an H like pattern. No issues with my dash until the new airbag was put in, car is garage kept. They are replacing this for free, had to order the part which comes in on Wednesdays truck.

I sent you a private message

Just a note, there is no such thing as a "new" engine. They are all rebuilt units.

Personally, I'd just take the car to a reputable rotary shop around you to do the work. Probably cheaper that way.

And is all the other maintenance done? Ignition components are a big failure point, even for S2. The later revisions for the OEM coils are not really any better from my experience. Spark plugs should also be replaced at 30k-mile intervals.

UnKnownJinx,
I have in a box new coils, spark plugs and wires and was about to do a tune up when this happened and could not get started. Dont believe I will have them do the work, will look around town to see if we have any reputable rotary shops.

Is your Series II still under the 8 year / 100K mile warranty?

wannawankel. I am told its not

My '09 is more than 8 years old as of March.