I bought my Mazda in Feb. 2004 and only have about 43,000 miles and my car is getting a new engine already. Mazda knows there is a problem so that is why they had to extend the warranty. This is the first time I have ever owned a Mazda - I am not a very happy owner right now. The RX-8 looks GREAT! but because of the engine problems, I am unsure of my purchase.

I am new to the RX-8 club so if anyone can calm my nerves regarding this car, please do.

 

You're getting a new engine, you have a warranty. What's the big deal? First year for 20b in RX8, no company is perfect their first year.

 

20B......we dont have a 20B

 

In 2004 when the car first came out they didn't program the engine to inject enough oil. Since then they have updated the engine management computer A couple of times to start injecting more oil. We haven't seen if this has actually improved anything as most of the reman's are still fairly young but this should help. There are some people on this forum that have already gone over 100K miles on their original engine.

That and the 100K mile engine warranty should give you some piece of mind.

 

Tammi308, The good news is you've got a fresh start with a remanufactured engine and the reflashes have helped. My 2004 MT has 96,000 miles on the original engine and is still running smooth strong. Many on this board would recomend premixing and switching to 10w40. I do and it has worked wonders for my nearly 100k original engine.

 

I don't know what a 20b is.

 

it's twice as heavy as a 10b

 

No worries. You don't have one. Nobody with a stock RX8 does. It's a 3 rotor. You have a 2 rotor.

 

Thank you for the informative response. I have never had a car that needed a new engine so I am annoyed. Good thing they extended the warranty and this is costing me nothing. Hopefully, the new engine will last for at least 100,000 miles. I was hoping to get my car back today (that has taken almost 2 weeks to fix) but the dealership just informed me that they may have nipped some other part so it will probably be a couple more days before my car is returned.

 

I hope this new engine makes my car run smoother. When the problems began, the acceleration was very slow so the dealership supposedly fixed the problem (Mazda posted an alert to the mechanics re: acceleration problems) but when I got the car back the problem was worse. Thanks for the info regarding the oil.

 

Hey guys,

How do you guys manage to get a replacement for your engine?

I've been reading through, it sounded like u guys just drove into the mazda dealership and asked for engine replacement, and they'll just nod?

As I've just bought a used 04 RX-8,
1) Should I e-mail the Mazda NA and get this extended warranty information to send to me?
or
2) Call them?

 

No, you don't just drive into the dealership. Your car needs to be having problems. Mine was making horrible noises, had slow acceleration, and the check engine light came on so I took it to the dealership, then after they replaced a part (the air ?something?) and fixed the acceleration problem, the car was worse so they called in the Mazda techs and determined that I needed a new engine.

Yes, you can call Mazda for a print out of the extended warranty but it may be posted on this site somewhere also.

Good luck!

 

Makes me feel better, just bought an 04 with 27k on it!!

 

^Congrats!

 

I have a 04 with 76,600miles on it, bought it about 2 months ago. I have never driven a 8 before so Idk if it has poor acceleration. The car is pretty slow at take off but thats another characteristic of rotary engines (low torque), I would think it would still b faster than a 2000 GMC Safari van right?
It is making a noise kinda like a gas or something is escaping on the right hand side of the car, might be a problem with the exhaust.?
Im planning on changing the spark plugs to see if the acceleration would increase.
if not im planning on doing a compression test. any1 knows how much the dealer would charge for a compression test??

 

Bring it to the dealer and reference the Recall and ask them to check to see if the engine needs replacement under warranty. If not the 2nd place to look is cat. converter clogged and ignition coils. If the motor is fine tell them to visually look inside the cat. to confirm it's not clogged. It won't necessarily set off a CEL if it's clogged.

 

Well, I just tripped 70,000 on the nemesis car - and all is fine. I think the car is actually getting stronger.

 

bout to hit 50k and still going STRONG.

 

Sweetness!!!

Mine is getting stronger, too. There is no doubt in my mind.


Hey, rotaryn00bi, don't freak out - it sounds like you need a new cat.

 

Thx a lot guys Ill check the cat/ and post as soon as I got some news
// in case the engine needs to be replaced would I be charged with anything? like lets say labor?

 

No, your motor will be changed absolutely free of charge (if that's what it is), and you will get a loaner the entire time.

 

You get a loaner since its under warranty?

Sorry, but I'm new to the forum.
Just bought a 2004. So I'm leaving the dealership (car has 40k), and the engine light comes on. I immediately return, they tell me that some water had gotten into a portion of the engine when they 'pressure washed' it. All it was was a misfire according to him, and said it was no big deal. Sounded fishy, but I'm always skeptical about things. Anyway, have had it for two days and everything else is good, besides it idling slightly harder than every other car I've owned at stoplights (maybe just a characteristic of the wankel?). Seems when I'm at stoplights after I've driven it for about 15 mins it will click, slowly vibrate a little harder for 10 secs, and repeat. Since I bought it at CarMax, I have five days to return it, so given the numerous posts on impending motor doom and problems associated I might just take it back and reconsider. Nevertheless, I love this car and want to keep it.

Is this a bad sign and should I take the car back? Or call Mazda up, get the warranty asap, and ride it out? I'm on the fence!!!

Thanks all!

 

I suspect you need new ignition coils. They are about $30 per x4 plus 1-2 hours labor. I would go back to them ask them to pay to change them out or you will return the car.

They should do it for you.

 

With any water issue, I get freaked.

I'd take it back to carmax, get your money back, and look for another 8.

 

Slight possibility it could be motor mounts as well.