baka

Hey guys,

Im new to the club and ive searched all about emissions but couldnt find a good thread..

Heres the story, I am/was , dont know now.. going to purchase a 04 RX8 with 9K on the dash, I was suppose to pick it up today but they said they couldnt deliver the car because the car wouldnt pass emissions..

so im thinking??? wtf?? why would a car with 9K fail emissions?? is this going to be a lemon?? should i steer clear or is it just a problem with a o2 sensor or a cat and shouldnt worry about it?

thanks for you input guys!

Go48

My guess would be that the cat has failed. The car could have experienced a flood and that may have contribute to the failure. Should be covered under warranty. In any case, if they want to sell you the car, they will do whatever it takes to get it to pass the emissions tests. Ask them to explain the cause and their solution to the problem.

Glyphon

could just be an issue with an o2 sensor or cat. dunno. and since you said km, i'm guessing you aren't in the states, so i don't know if the laws are the same, but here (georgia anyways) new cars don't need emissions done for 3 years, so i won't even find out if my car passes for another few years.

is this from a dealer, or a private seller. if its a dealer, and you like this particular car and are getting it at a good price, have them check the problem out, and if it is an easy fix, have them fix it for you. or if its a private seller, see if they will let you have a repair shop take a look at it.

jaguargod

These cars have enough issues. If it has one right out of the gate, I personally would run away. But that is your call.

baka

Are there signs?? (yes i live in canada, eh!) for example, can we determine if the emission has failed a certain part is would be this problem.. or that part it would be another problem.. ie: failed HC ppm = dead cat... or like failed CO% = abused motor and burning oil... does anyone have any guidelines?

Thanks
Dean

DrRockin99

All cars have issues . I have you seen the MILLIONS of cars Ford and Chevy have recalled in the last couple of months? Millions of them . I have had one issue and it was a part that was installed at port and the bolts came loose .

Go48

Speak for yourself jag, there are many, maybe most of the owners on this forum, including myself, who have had no problems--zip, zero. Sure there have been problems reported on this forum, but few owners bother with a "I have no problems" post so it is impossible to make an objective judgment that would support your statement.

Check out the owner satisfaction poll. 78% of the owner-members of this forum are "Highly Satisfied" with their car. Add to that the percentage of those that are "Satisfied" with the car, and it approaches 90% of the owner-members that are satisfied or highly satisfied with the car.

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

and you know this is a problem rather then someone gutting or removing the cat ?

Red Devil

Mazda is obligated to make the vehicle emmissions compliant, I don't think it's anything to worry about.

I've got 9.5k on my car and have had zero problems.

Genesis

Here's a thought....couldn't you just ask them? If the answer is bollocks then just walk away.

baka

apparently the person who owned the car before installed a CAI.. which in nooo way should effect emissions.

what im thinking was that the CAI fubar'd the o2 sensor and the injectors are just dumping fuel thinking theres more air then there actually is.

that or the cat is messed up. but even if its only the cat... how does someone kill a cat (no pun intended) with only driving 9000km. (5600 miles for you americans)?

has anyone had any major problems with this car??? mechanically/motor speaking??

fray

iTrader: (1)

The cat failed (presumably from a flood issue prior to my purchasing it used) on my 8. Replaced that cat and everything is much better.

I wouldn't worry at all about the car if the cat is messed up.. but as a previous poster said, be sure to find out what was wrong w/ the emissions and how they solved it. That will tell if you it's a reasonable purchase or a lemon. (In my opinion a new cat/o2 sensor is reasonable.)

baka

Okay so let me get this straight...

flooding of the engine will ultimitely lead to a dead cat?

how often or should i say.. is flooding of the engine normal????

and even if you flood the engine, why would that mess up the cat?

I know im asking a lot of Q's but im trying to get things down before I pickup this car..


Thanks for all the input guys!
Dean

fray

iTrader: (1)

The early cars had a flooding problem. This has been fixed by an ECU upgrade. It's still possible to flood the engine, but you have to really try to now.

Flooded engine (depending on how bad the flood was) can lead to a dead cat by causing raw fuel to be dumped into the cat which degrades the material in the cat.

The rotary engine is different then a piston engine. It is normal to burn a small amount of oil. It is normal for it to run hotter, etc. The number one tip (other then the ECU update) to prevent flooding is if you don't let the engine warm up, rev to 3k rpm and let it drop to idle as you shut it off. This ensures that all of the fuel is burned. (And if it does flood hold the accelerator all the way down as you crank it to prevent additional fuel from being injected..) This is all in the new owners manuals from what I have been told.

If you are not willing to do this, then the rotary engine is probably not for you. It's a different technology and as such as a different set of limitations and maintenance tasks. (I have had my car for 2 months now, and have never even come close to it flooding, but my car was a VERY early production model before Mazda fixed the flood problem in the computer.. that is what lead to the failed cat.)

Genesis

Dean...why pickup this car? Regardless of the emissions issue, CAI, o2 sensor etc. or whatever, it's not the ideal purchase for you and you'll be questioning the value from day one. Best if you can find an 8 that meets your needs and expectations without having to justify. My 2 cents mate no matter what you decide.

Razz1

How those of us who race the car don't complain.

If the car was junk you would hear it from us.

baka

Thanks for all your input guys, you guys seems like a great bunch and I can see myself spending a lot of time whoring this place for girls, err info i mean..

needless to say i picked up the car! and despite the bump on the start, i drove the thing last night and i drove it quite hard.. its a great car.

before i give my 2c.. heres a lil history on me.. im no stranger to autoX or laps on circuit. my previous car was a 04 S2k and the car before that was a 00 impreza with STi ver3 swap (278WHP to all 4, very fast, high 12's in the 1/4)

so first impressions... i love this car, i love how its more refined in looks then both my previous ones. the styling is so much more unique then the other 2.

there is absolutley no power under 5K which will soon be fixed ie: boost.

5th gear and 6th gear accel at hwy speeds is sooo slow...

the honda can out handle this car hands down..
( stock / stock )but its got a lot of potential.. throw on suspension components and that should take care of the ride height and stiffen it out as i find the stock suspension a little soft.

with a suspension and more power.. the rx8 can be a awesome car!!
im just loving it.

sandia8

steer clear of that vehicle. you may have better luck with another 8.
There are many issues with the 8, so many that Mazda is doing inprovement surveys.
Now why does Mazda not just read the list of problems that have been posted here on the site? It covers a good range from poor gas economy. flooding, bad visors, bad a/c, hot interior, doors that slam shut, moisture in headlamps and tailights, etc.etc.