Engine Overheating
 

Dear Club RX8,

I've been having a little concern recently regarding my Rx8.


Back in January (2009), I got into a front end collision. It really wasn't that bad (according to the body shop), but the lights, hood, bumper, needed to be replaced. However, the radiator was apparently not damaged and didn't need to be replaced. Although the guy said that it wasn't bad (it did cost my insurance company about 8000.00 to fix including labor).


I'd like to mention that I rarely drive my car for more than 10 miles at a time (usually about 15 miles a day in total - just getting to school and home - that's it).


On rare occasion, I take my car on the freeway and drive for around 20 minutes or more at speeds aroung 60-70mph, at 3-4K RPM.

The problem I get, espcially on a hot day, is when I'm on the freeway, driving at 65mph (approx), and at 3500RPM in 6th gear. I'm also driving with the A/C on.
All of a sudden I see the "radiator" or engine overheating light, come on.
This has only happened 4 times (twice this past week), and its always on the freeway in the scenario described above).
Once I see the light, I let off the gas, and the car usually slows to aroung 55 mph, and the light turns off. The light only goes on for maybe 10-15 seconds.
By then, I'm usually at my destination already, as I never drive long distances.

I checked my engine coolent fluid, (in the clear liquid tank near the front bumper), and it seems to be full, and warm.

Should I bring my car to Mazda, or the people who fixed my car after the accident? I never noticed this problem until after the accident.

Thank you very, very much.

I apologize in advance for my ignorance/improper terminology.

Try reading this thread, not too sure if this is the problem your encountering. https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...engine+coolant

Add a little distiled water to your reservoir it will most likely go out soon after that.

Thank you very much for your response!

That sounds like my problem.

However, the difference in my situation is that this didn't start happening until after my accident. Also, in the other thread, many of those drivers were pushing their vehicle to high RPMs, something that I never do (I don't drive beyond 4K RPM).

I think I will take my car to Mazda tomorrow as this is worrying me.

Thanks a million for your help.

Yep coolant overflow tank sensor. Known issue. I'm on my third one. And it's acting up too.
Time for #4.

Hi guys,

Thanks for the help - I'm really appreciative.

I know I'm no genius when it comes to cars - but are you guys saying this has nothing to do with my accident?

Hi,

Thank you very much.

I will mention this to the mechanics tomorrow at mazda.

Hi,

I'd like to make a correction to my original post.

I checked the owners manual, and its the Engine Coolent Light that comes on.

Thanks.

Rotaries require special care and I suggest u do some searching on this site and read how to do it. Not reving your engine is not good. Look it up because u could end up needing an engine replacement because of it.

Oh man, please tell me your joking!!!

I try my hardest not to rev (nothing past 5.5K RPM). I was under the impression that in order to take care of the engine - you shouldn't work it too hard.

I gotta do some reading.

Thanks amillion for your post.

Hi.

Sorry to ask, as you mentioned, I want to know about this matter. Please provide me with a link to a thread discussing this. I tried searching, but really couldn't find anything specific to what you mentioned. I just found a thread discussing many, many people who are getting replacement engines. Please help thanks.

yes you do!

start here.

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx8-faq-new-owners-116484/

then read the rest of the info in the faq section.

after that, branch out to the stickys..

walk then run.

and dont forget the owners manual.. it is ugly to ask a question that is in the owners manual.



beers :beer:

So uhm if you dont buy me asking, what made you get an rx8 in the first place? I mean there best feature is being able to go to 9000rpm which makes up for there lack of any torque, plus yes it needs to be revved, its not a normal motor so why would it go by the same standards?

Hi thanks for your comment.
I live in the city (LA), and I never really get a chance to drive aggressively (even on the freeway) its hard sometimes. Also, this car takes a lot of gas, and I always thought that the higher the RPMs, the more gas it will consume. But I do agree, if I was going to drive it like a taurus, I should have bought a corolla or something - would have been cheaper.



I wanted to give an update as to what happened. I called my mazda dealer, and they said that they heard of a "coolent overflow tank sensor" issue.

However, when I explained my weak starter/battery scenario as well, they said that it was something they never heard of.



On a serious note, I'm worried that my "weak driving" has caused damage to the vehicle. It has approximately 14000 miles on the car, and is a 2006 model. It's really never been pushed aggressively. I assume I still have warranty?

^ Yes sir! U still have the factory warranty, take it in!

its good that they acknowledge knowing about the issue without actually seeing it... so take it in.

also, as has been said, since the car only has 14,000 miles it may not be so much of a big deal but you do need to drive the car throughout the rev range occasionally.. to be safe, redline it once a day.

that doesn't mean aggressive driving, simply as you're merging onto the highway or something, in 2nd take it all the way up, and up in 3rd if you're willing to.

this motor is not like your typical piston motor that self implodes at over 6k rpm....

Thanks a million guys!

It happens to me on the interstate too... just keep a close eye on your engine temp gauge and either disconnect the coolant sensor and check it occasionally or go to a dealer and get it fixed.

Thanks! I'm going to the dealer tomorrow morning at 9:00am (made an appointment).



Just now, I took the car out for a little bit (grocery store). Unfortunately I just couldn't go through with it. The highest I went was approximately 6500 RPM ( probably more like 6000 RPM).

I keep thinking that its bad for the car.

Hi,

I just want to thank everyone again for their advice.

I got the sensor and tank replaced today under warranty.

The dealer also found a weak battery, and I paid 87.00 for it (warranty only covers 25% of the cost for batteries).

Unfortunately, the car still has a little hesitation when starting, but nothing that really bothers me.

Thanks a lot guys! Oh yeah, and I took my car past 7500rpm.

o and for the record just go until it beeps for you at 8500 :)

Always make sure the engine is warm first before redlining it. It should be warm enough after about 5-7 minutes.

Thanks a lot guys.

I can't believe the dealership/service department didn't tell me this (to go throughout the powerband regularly).

The thing is, I hardly drive my car although I drive it everyday (I just checked the exact milage - 13,200 miles on the odometer). Does this mean for me, I should take it to high RPMs, once every few times I drive the car?

dude , go outside right now!!! and take that car for a spin and drive it f***ing HARD, it will clean out your built up carbon that's been laying around in your engine, run it to 9500k and hold it for a few sec and do a burn out, and find a hill to get some air lol. that car is crying outside, do us all a favor, drive it like you just stole it, you car will thank you

let me clear some stuff up. read the damn owners manual..

as to the comment dont redline it when it is cold. well you cant!!!! the ecu will not let you do it. btw, it is in the DAMN OWNERS MANUAL!

that part was not really aimed at you, but more so the guy that told you not to redline the car cold. you were getting advice from someone that has not read the DAMN OWNERS MANUAL! and 5 to 7 minutes will not do it.

did you look at this section?

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-faq-9/

i think i took the time to post it before.

really you need to do some work on your own.. or buy a golf cart.

beers :beer: