Another one put to pasture
12-22-2016, 02:44 PM
#26
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If you are thinking of just getting another 8 for the "same price" as a rebuild,consider this.. The next 8 may lose compression relatively quickly, knowing no service history (Maybe not, but always a possibility that the could be a worn engine.) It may be money better spent having a proper rotary builder just rebuild the engine that is in this one, if there are no other significant problems with the car.
Best of luck with the diagnosis!
Best of luck with the diagnosis!
12-27-2016, 11:27 AM
#27
I spoke with the service manager on Thursday and he felt the issue was just a flood. I filled him in about the recent situation so he was not aware of the car being at another dealership a few days prior. Apparently the rotary tech had a wire harness job that was a few weeks behind and needed to complete. He was going to try to drag it back in on Friday but with it being the Christmas wknd I doubt that happened. The rebuild companies that I've looked into all want my engine as a core . I don't have any issues with that, I just don't know how much of the engine is required. Is it the entire engine or stripped down to the bare core? (Block only...no flywheel or any bolt on accessories. ) I have been tossing the idea around about stepping her up to the s2 to avoid another immediate yard ornament . I found a 2010 gt that caught my eye but it has 117,000 miles one owner. I've been reading the s2 forum and can't seem to tell if that is in the danger zone. If not, I'll probably inquire about it and set up a compression test. IF I decide not to do an immediate rebuild.
12-30-2016, 08:24 AM
#28
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If you are thinking of just getting another 8 for the "same price" as a rebuild,consider this.. The next 8 may lose compression relatively quickly, knowing no service history (Maybe not, but always a possibility that the could be a worn engine.) It may be money better spent having a proper rotary builder just rebuild the engine that is in this one, if there are no other significant problems with the car.
Best of luck with the diagnosis!
Best of luck with the diagnosis!
also, kinda unrelated, but must be said, good job on raising your daughter right and teaching her to drive with both feet!
12-30-2016, 10:07 AM
#29
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This is a fascinating thread because I travelled down this exact same path with my daughter 9 months ago. When she turned 16 she received my '05 RX-8 that had an automatic and received a replacement engine from Mazda at 85,000 miles. In turn, I picked up an '08 40th Anniversary with the 6MT and only 24,000 miles. Added bonus - the dealer that sold me the 40th Anniversary provided a lifetime powertrain warranty.
This past March, during her senior year in high school, the engine on the '05 lost compression with about 125,000 miles on the odo. The look on her face when I told her the bad news. I debated for over a month, tried to weigh the different options. Based on the harmful effects of Minnesota winters, even though the car was otherwise in very good conditiion, I decided it was not worth the cost of an engine rebuild. We donated the car to a local tech traning program. It broke her heart.
It was now spring, my '01 British Racing Green Miata was headed out for the summer so she finished her senior year in the 40th Anniverary and has become a terrific manual shift driver.
She went off to college and now is back for Christmas break and she will need wheels this coming summer. All she wants is another rex. Manual shift. We drove an '07 Mazda6 with 60,000 pampered miles and a manual. All she could muster was a "yeah, it's nice . . . but it's not an RX-8."
I would love to get her another 8, but do not know if I can justify the risk. There is an engine rebuilder in Texas that has remanufactured engines on e-bay for $2,500. Does anyone know if those are any good? Do you think you could get 35,000-40,000 miles out of one? My thought is that if you can snag a clean 8 for less than $6,000 and set aside a spare engine that might be the way to go.
This past March, during her senior year in high school, the engine on the '05 lost compression with about 125,000 miles on the odo. The look on her face when I told her the bad news. I debated for over a month, tried to weigh the different options. Based on the harmful effects of Minnesota winters, even though the car was otherwise in very good conditiion, I decided it was not worth the cost of an engine rebuild. We donated the car to a local tech traning program. It broke her heart.
It was now spring, my '01 British Racing Green Miata was headed out for the summer so she finished her senior year in the 40th Anniverary and has become a terrific manual shift driver.
She went off to college and now is back for Christmas break and she will need wheels this coming summer. All she wants is another rex. Manual shift. We drove an '07 Mazda6 with 60,000 pampered miles and a manual. All she could muster was a "yeah, it's nice . . . but it's not an RX-8."
I would love to get her another 8, but do not know if I can justify the risk. There is an engine rebuilder in Texas that has remanufactured engines on e-bay for $2,500. Does anyone know if those are any good? Do you think you could get 35,000-40,000 miles out of one? My thought is that if you can snag a clean 8 for less than $6,000 and set aside a spare engine that might be the way to go.
12-30-2016, 11:14 AM
#30
I just got off the phone with the service manager and the engine is below minimum company. While I was typing this first sentence he called back and he said that when they pulled it out for the rollback, the car was sputtering and backfiring really bad and chocked itself out and will not restart. They believe that the coils are malfunctioning. So,I'm going to go pay the bill and bring it home. I asked my daughter if she wanted another model car and and it was NO....why would I want something else? So now the decision of rebuilding or buying an s2. Like I said, I haven't seen any longevity reports for the s2 . I have family in excelsior. I will get another s1 if I need to because I can swap out all the aftermarket equipment no problem. I new all along that I should have been putting money into an engine fund but failed. I will post the compression #'s when I get back from the dealership. I would stay away from any engine without valid compression #'s regardless of where you buy it from. I thought briefly about that same option, "complete jdm engine with low miles" only xxxx dollars! But I'm not willing to buy another yard ornament.
12-30-2016, 11:20 AM
#31
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The Texas builder sounds like OJ Imports.
I had them rebuild mine back in February and things went well. My only major issues were with the return freight (I'm in IL) and the oil pressure switch not working for the first 5 miles (which scared the crap out of me).
Omar is easy to work with, took payment via PayPal and returned a phone call on a Sunday evening to help me troubleshoot the oil pressure switch.
I haven't had a chance to check the compression post break-in (got in trouble with apartment building management and they've been on me like a hawk about working on my car) but I just got access to a private garage so will be checking this weekend.
I had them rebuild mine back in February and things went well. My only major issues were with the return freight (I'm in IL) and the oil pressure switch not working for the first 5 miles (which scared the crap out of me).
Omar is easy to work with, took payment via PayPal and returned a phone call on a Sunday evening to help me troubleshoot the oil pressure switch.
I haven't had a chance to check the compression post break-in (got in trouble with apartment building management and they've been on me like a hawk about working on my car) but I just got access to a private garage so will be checking this weekend.
12-30-2016, 11:26 AM
#32
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I just got off the phone with the service manager and the engine is below minimum company. While I was typing this first sentence he called back and he said that when they pulled it out for the rollback, the car was sputtering and backfiring really bad and chocked itself out and will not restart. They believe that the coils are malfunctioning. So,I'm going to go pay the bill and bring it home. I asked my daughter if she wanted another model car and and it was NO....why would I want something else? So now the decision of rebuilding or buying an s2. Like I said, I haven't seen any longevity reports for the s2 . I have family in excelsior. I will get another s1 if I need to because I can swap out all the aftermarket equipment no problem. I new all along that I should have been putting money into an engine fund but failed. I will post the compression #'s when I get back from the dealership. I would stay away from any engine without valid compression #'s regardless of where you buy it from. I thought briefly about that same option, "complete jdm engine with low miles" only xxxx dollars! But I'm not willing to buy another yard ornament.
All engines come with 12mo/12k warranty*
*Except rotary engines.
If the body, chassis, tranny and interior on the existing car are in good shape, then I'd just get a good rebuild for it.
12-30-2016, 08:49 PM
#35
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Yup, it's pooched unless it was done at 15,000 ft elevation. Even, it's probably still pooched.
I'm seeing a rebuilt engine in the car's future. Mazda reman is about $3k from my earlier link. A rebuild will start off around $1600 but will likely go up from there. You will also need a gasket set, ~3 gallons of coolant, 9 qts of oil, and a pair of engine mounts.
I'm seeing a rebuilt engine in the car's future. Mazda reman is about $3k from my earlier link. A rebuild will start off around $1600 but will likely go up from there. You will also need a gasket set, ~3 gallons of coolant, 9 qts of oil, and a pair of engine mounts.
12-30-2016, 09:56 PM
#36
I have every intention of rebuilding the car. My thought process was 1)my problem is not necessarily compression related and it was the result of some other failure. Fix it and move on. 2) it is an engine failure and rebuild it myself as my budget allotted. Problem with that is transportation for her in the interim which leads me to 3) get a loan for the rebuild and outsource the work minus removal and installation or get another 8 and revert back to #2. I really do want to build one of these engines myself to deepen my knowledge and understanding of the rotary. I can read this forum until my eyes burst out and my brain turns to pudding. It's just information until put to use, and that is how my brain is wired, that's why I'm a mechanic. I've always had to tear stuff apart to see how it works and challenge myself to put it back together and it work. My motivating factor is, I want my 8 to remain my toy and not my dd, which it has become since thanksgiving. I need to get her back in her own car whether it be the one we have or another 8. HELL!!!I've got DGRR coming up on me fast...
03-30-2017, 07:42 PM
#38
Update...
I received word from BHR that the engine is complete and being shipped back to me.
The car is still in the body shop, at least 2 weeks out.
DGRR is less than a month away so no pressure...
Received another transmission and shifter from a forum member so that issue should be cleared up.
Received factory intake system from forum members so the k&n hot air intake is leaving.
Going to have another forum member over for the instal. Thanks to all of you here...I would be in a bad place without this community .
I received word from BHR that the engine is complete and being shipped back to me.
The car is still in the body shop, at least 2 weeks out.
DGRR is less than a month away so no pressure...
Received another transmission and shifter from a forum member so that issue should be cleared up.
Received factory intake system from forum members so the k&n hot air intake is leaving.
Going to have another forum member over for the instal. Thanks to all of you here...I would be in a bad place without this community .
03-30-2017, 08:04 PM
#39
///// Upscale Zoom-Zoom
see you at DGRR - how's that for pressure. Best of luck on the assembly
04-21-2017, 07:56 PM
#40
I've been posting in another thread so this one kinda died. Here's where I am as of 5 days before DGRR. Tonight I'm making the block off plate for the air pump and getting things lined up for tomorrow. Another member here (the Clemson fan ) is coming over to get a feel for an engine reinstalation since he will be doing the same shortly. I am greatfull for the help. We will be replacing the pinion seal and installing the transmission that I purchased from another forum member, putting redline in the drive train, installing the engine and filling it with mobile 1 and fl-22. All new coolant hoses from mazmart, BHR is supplying the engine and mounts along with the ignition. The new nose is (good enough for now ) will be painted Monday. So that leaves Tuesday to clean because Wednesday I'm going to be headed to the mountains!!! I want to say a great big southern thank you to everyone who has been a part of this rebuild, I wouldn't have been able to without this community.
04-23-2017, 08:55 AM
#41
Here it is, Sunday morning and the 8 is running. The Clemson fan and I pulled the all nighter and except for the green clip on the fuel pump assembly everything seems stable. Big shout out to the Clemson fan! I'm heading to the auto parts store shortly to get the clip if they have it. Unless something catastrophic happens between now and Thursday, my daughter will be able to drive her 8 to the rally. My feet are freaking killing me right now lol... another one spared from death and on its way to rise again.