High mileage RX8
01-15-2010, 10:37 AM
#26
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Keeping carbon clear is like taking anti-cholesterol medication for your heart. It will reduce 1 risk, but isn't the only answer, and isn't a guarantee. Ignore it and you are adding a risk to the rest of them.
Proper cooling and proper lubrication are still big concerns that need to be addressed.
Proper cooling and proper lubrication are still big concerns that need to be addressed.
01-15-2010, 11:00 AM
#27
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Yeah the problem is that there is no definitive proof that revving (how much, how long, how often) decreases carbon build up enough to make a difference. I am **** retentive about oil changes, checking, etc. and my first engine failed at 22k (redlined every day) and my second lasted 72k (redlined everyday and 95% highway miles). I have seen plenty of Renny's that were killed by carbon that were revved plenty.
However I did not premix and I was not running the SOHN on either of the first two engines. The second engine ran 10W-30 GTX with on the dot 3,000 OCI's and i am pretty sure it would have made it to 100k+ had I premixed and ran the SOHN.
The gas you use plays a huge role in carbon build up and that is rarely discussed.
However I did not premix and I was not running the SOHN on either of the first two engines. The second engine ran 10W-30 GTX with on the dot 3,000 OCI's and i am pretty sure it would have made it to 100k+ had I premixed and ran the SOHN.
The gas you use plays a huge role in carbon build up and that is rarely discussed.
01-15-2010, 11:13 AM
#28
I don't think many would disagree that the Renesis is not a particularly long-lived engine. The pre 2002 Toyota 4-cylinders would run 250k miles with even marginal maintenance, but then that's 250k miles of utter boredom. It reminds me of a discussion I had with a customer service person at VW/Audi North America headquarters. She said that the majority of their pissed-off customers were people who bought the A4 turbo and then expected it to run like a Toyota. Most maxed themselves out on credit to 'afford' one, but then couldn't afford the recommended service intervals and expected VWNA to pick up the tab when something broke. By comparison, the A6/A8 customers were seldom yelling on the phone.
Now that used prices of older RX8's are approaching the credit limit of teens and college students, the same problem is happening: spending all the cash on a rather exotic car, then not being able to deal with the problems after. $10k for a used Corolla makes a lot more sense than $10k for an RX.
Now that used prices of older RX8's are approaching the credit limit of teens and college students, the same problem is happening: spending all the cash on a rather exotic car, then not being able to deal with the problems after. $10k for a used Corolla makes a lot more sense than $10k for an RX.
01-15-2010, 11:27 AM
#29
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Yeah I have come to accept the intricacies of this car and I love her (I have hated her at times too). Besides with over 100,000 miles she isn't worth selling or trading in so I will keep her until she dies. I am fortunate enough to be able to afford whatever problems arise and I no longer have a wife to nag me and bitch about what I want to drive or what mods I do so I can't complain. The relationship works.
01-15-2010, 12:13 PM
#30
No kidding ... plus the ability to afford car repairs is likely related to the lack of that high-maintenance significant other. Wifeless, I'm not only able to afford the car, but a nice b-day present the other day for my 29 years-younger-than-me lady friend (who loves my car ...). Does being a model on the auto-show circuit qualify her for honorary membership here??
01-15-2010, 05:26 PM
#34
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01-15-2010, 05:45 PM
#35
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No kidding ... plus the ability to afford car repairs is likely related to the lack of that high-maintenance significant other. Wifeless, I'm not only able to afford the car, but a nice b-day present the other day for my 29 years-younger-than-me lady friend (who loves my car ...). Does being a model on the auto-show circuit qualify her for honorary membership here??
01-16-2010, 10:14 AM
#36
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Well as far as maintenance and upkeeping I can deal with that. I can afford to have an RX8. I have always wanted an RX7 but was always drawn to the RX8 when it came out. The only problem is picking the right color. I really like Lightning Yellow and Black Cherry Mica(Shinka Model) which limits me to the older models, 2004 and 2005. I dont mind an older model but as long as it has been taken care of and will endure several more years of enjoyment by me ( and under 100K). But then again I partial to white so Chrystal White Pearl is another choice.
04-21-2012, 09:26 PM
#37
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RX8 High Mileage
I have a 2004 RX-8 with 109xxx miles. Never had to replace the engine. The cat converter had to replaced about 2000 miles ago. Other than that its been great. No loss of power or any other problems,
04-21-2012, 10:50 PM
#38
I am a younger guy who got an 8, but I knew going in about the problems and such. Yep I picked up a used one with 72k miles on it. I also knew it had been babied by the previous owner. Red lined, premixed, and oil changed religiously at 2500 miles. It drives fine. And if it does lose compression and die. Ill take it apart and as long as all tolerances are good. Ill buy all the seals and put her back. together. I don't feel like its borrowed time or anything. If something happens, it happens. I'm also not stretching my finances for it either. Its all in the prep, planning, maintenance, and willpower.
11-08-2012, 04:44 PM
#39
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No the common belief that revving the engine will make it last longer or keep it from failing prematurely is BS. If you don't premix and change your oil often your engine will fail prematurely if you drive it like it was meant to be driven. If you are just the type to tool around town and baby the car then it will last longer and you will likely not even realize your engine is failing until it's completely done.
My last engine lost compression and was stalling at idle but honestly above 1500RPM's it ran okay. Just look at the changes made to the 09+ engines and you will realize. Cooling is an issue which I have addressed as well. But for all the reliability mods, this engine could still fail under 100,000 miles. Only time will tell if I am wasting my money and my time,
But honestly its fun for me, if I had a car that never needed attention I would be bored.
My last engine lost compression and was stalling at idle but honestly above 1500RPM's it ran okay. Just look at the changes made to the 09+ engines and you will realize. Cooling is an issue which I have addressed as well. But for all the reliability mods, this engine could still fail under 100,000 miles. Only time will tell if I am wasting my money and my time,
But honestly its fun for me, if I had a car that never needed attention I would be bored.Also, I have not replaced my fuel pump like it says in the manual at 100,000 miles.. I have no issue with it so far,, You think it is something that can wait or just leave it be until it becomes a problem? I've owned this thing since it had 37,000 miles,,, always been reliable until three weeks ago.
Thanks,
Ty
Last edited by waterproofone; 11-08-2012 at 04:46 PM.
11-08-2012, 05:18 PM
#40
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I've had 4 rx7's and this 05 auto RX8... at 120,000 miles..the engine just will hardly start, got it tested and had 4's and 5's on compression. Idles and runs great, just very hard to start recently. Just ordered a reman engine out of my own pocket. Never had to premix with the rx7's and always got 200,000 miles out of them easy with minimal maintenance. I wanted to get your input as to how much premix per a full tank of gas you recommend to keep the engine running longer... or any other advice. This thing is definitely different than the rx7's of the 80's........
Also, I have not replaced my fuel pump like it says in the manual at 100,000 miles.. I have no issue with it so far,, You think it is something that can wait or just leave it be until it becomes a problem? I've owned this thing since it had 37,000 miles,,, always been reliable until three weeks ago.
Thanks,
Ty
Also, I have not replaced my fuel pump like it says in the manual at 100,000 miles.. I have no issue with it so far,, You think it is something that can wait or just leave it be until it becomes a problem? I've owned this thing since it had 37,000 miles,,, always been reliable until three weeks ago.
Thanks,
Ty
11-08-2012, 09:15 PM
#43
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'04 MT w/ 120,00 miles
CEL is due to my midpipe.
Replaced: Fuel pump, Clutch, and straight piped it. Car runs beautifully now.
As for you premixers, I used 1 oz per gallon. OMP is a little iffy at high rpms so that's why. Think the lines need to be cleaned out. Anything less then 1 oz and I can't redline safely.
Replaced: Fuel pump, Clutch, and straight piped it. Car runs beautifully now.
As for you premixers, I used 1 oz per gallon. OMP is a little iffy at high rpms so that's why. Think the lines need to be cleaned out. Anything less then 1 oz and I can't redline safely.
11-08-2012, 10:03 PM
#44
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No problems yet. Still runs strong and spins the tires on upshifts.
11-08-2012, 10:23 PM
#45
That was my initial premix and it smelled rotten, switched to Penzoil TC-W3 until my original factory engine died four months ago at 167,305 miles. I used that in it's last 20,000 miles. I've already put in 3,500 since July and am going to start premixing again.
I think some things should be clarified, after several PM's between me and STEALTH and doing some online research on TCW-3. It is definitely designed to be burnt and fully combust without leaving any residue or ash (if it is a synthetic ashless oil). It is made WITHOUT any metallic additives, as it is meant to burn ashless it does not contain any.
While it probably wouldn't do any harm to the car (besides the catalyst), the problem with TCW-3 lies within it's lubricating capabilities. It is not as good as an oil at lubricating as a ISO or JASO FC certified oil is. TCW-3 is an oil that is not good enough to lubricate snowmobiles and motorcycle engines, and has lead to failure to those engines that TCW-3 oils were used in. Not because the oil itself caused the failure, it just didn't serve it's purpose in lubricating the bearings and engine parts that needed lubricity, hence the failure.
So what I'm trying to get at is... TCW-3 oils suck as a lubricating oil. A JASO FC and ISO oil would do a much better job. TCW-3 premix is not the worst thing you can put in the car though, it shouldn't harm it, and it should lubricate some what, but it just isn't the best lubricant we would want for our engine; we would want to get the best we could in there. I just wanted to clarify this and explain some of these details, so that people using TCW-3 as premix don't get scared and think that they have potentially harmed their engine by using a oil with metallic particles (not true) that isn't meant to combust in their car (not true as well).
If you were using TCW-3 oils as I was, you should definitely switch to something else like idemitsu or any other 2-cycle oil JASO FC or ISO rated. This is one long assss thread, and reading through it is a pain, but if one does so you would find how contradicting a lot of the information is. I just wanted to make it easier for some people, and so that others don't make the same mistake I and many others have made.
While it probably wouldn't do any harm to the car (besides the catalyst), the problem with TCW-3 lies within it's lubricating capabilities. It is not as good as an oil at lubricating as a ISO or JASO FC certified oil is. TCW-3 is an oil that is not good enough to lubricate snowmobiles and motorcycle engines, and has lead to failure to those engines that TCW-3 oils were used in. Not because the oil itself caused the failure, it just didn't serve it's purpose in lubricating the bearings and engine parts that needed lubricity, hence the failure.
So what I'm trying to get at is... TCW-3 oils suck as a lubricating oil. A JASO FC and ISO oil would do a much better job. TCW-3 premix is not the worst thing you can put in the car though, it shouldn't harm it, and it should lubricate some what, but it just isn't the best lubricant we would want for our engine; we would want to get the best we could in there. I just wanted to clarify this and explain some of these details, so that people using TCW-3 as premix don't get scared and think that they have potentially harmed their engine by using a oil with metallic particles (not true) that isn't meant to combust in their car (not true as well).
If you were using TCW-3 oils as I was, you should definitely switch to something else like idemitsu or any other 2-cycle oil JASO FC or ISO rated. This is one long assss thread, and reading through it is a pain, but if one does so you would find how contradicting a lot of the information is. I just wanted to make it easier for some people, and so that others don't make the same mistake I and many others have made.
11-08-2012, 11:08 PM
#46
I'm on 65000 miles and my motor literally runs as strong as the day I bought my 8 new.
I've done 2 coolant flushes, changed the oil/filter every 3,000 miles, stayed on top of oil levels, changed the plugs and coils.
I fully expect to get to the 160k mile mark that the tech at Atkins Rotary told me he genuinely believes is more than likely based on all the experience they've had with the 8.
He told me the majority of problems arise with either automatics in hot climates, or neglect, or heavily modded motors (especially FI).
He has seen a 8 with 260,000 miles on the original motor that has literally had the basic recommended servicing done.
I get 270 to 280 miles per 13.5 gallon fillup, which comes out to 20mpg, and the car is a comfortable GT cruiser, that I've had no problems with.
What is not to like? The ride quality is excellent.
I've done 2 coolant flushes, changed the oil/filter every 3,000 miles, stayed on top of oil levels, changed the plugs and coils.
I fully expect to get to the 160k mile mark that the tech at Atkins Rotary told me he genuinely believes is more than likely based on all the experience they've had with the 8.
He told me the majority of problems arise with either automatics in hot climates, or neglect, or heavily modded motors (especially FI).
He has seen a 8 with 260,000 miles on the original motor that has literally had the basic recommended servicing done.
I get 270 to 280 miles per 13.5 gallon fillup, which comes out to 20mpg, and the car is a comfortable GT cruiser, that I've had no problems with.
What is not to like? The ride quality is excellent.
01-02-2013, 12:50 AM
#48
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I'm at 150,000 miles on my 07. Yeah its a lot of miles on a 5 year old car, but I do a lot of freeway miles. I do all the regular oil changes, and use regular pump gas. Never had any major problems, and its still running strong. Asside from a recent flooding issue (my fault), this car is being really good to me. 
01-25-2014, 10:21 PM
#50
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High Mileage Doesn't Matter
I bought a 04 rx-8 from some one with 123k miles, now running at 156k beaten daily, oil change very 2,500 miles, and runs harder than some that are around the city that have only 80k. (: