mtphilipps

iTrader: (1)

I am new to the RX8 (05 Velocity Red with 10K on the clock) ownership circle so I'm trying to get my feet under me and avoid the bitterness I see scattered here and there from some people who have been unprepared to take on the quirks of these cars. I had an Alfa Romeo 164S for years so I'm no stranger to car maintenance...but I have to say that the Rotary thing is a new frontier for me.

I've been looking for threads when I have a question but couldn't find an answer on this one...I bought my car in florida about two weeks ago and drove it back to sunny Buffalo NY to subject her to some Northern hospitality. So far she seems to be taking it like a pro...snow tires and DSC have made it all but imposible to spin out...this is a huge relief because I convinced myself that I could make this car work in the snow before I had proof. I'm not one to baby and garage my cars because I only have one daily driver. Anyway...I digress.

On my way home from Fla. I noticed that when I would stop for gas after driving for a few hours that it would make this horrible clank and shutter when I would put the car in reverse to back away from the pump. I would make the same horrible shutter when I put it in first to pull away after that it was fine. I was terrified I had bought a screwed up car but the next morning after she sat for 8 hours she was perfect again. It happened again though after the long highway runs during the rest of the second day.

Now that she's home in Buffalo she hasn't done it once. I drive about 10 miles each way to work. Is it possible that it is a heat thing...because its cold here the tranny isn't heating up enough to cause the issue?

I've driven 5 speeds all my life...so I'm pretty sure it's not the way I'm shifting but I have noticed a few days when it smells like I've been doing peel outs with it...even the week that I tried to behave to see if I could get better that 15 mpg. (I feel that it's important based on alot of previos post I've seen that I mention that I was totally prepared for low gas mileage but was hoping to see the 18 that alot of people get.) I did get a respectable 20 mpg on the trip home. I think the cold must effect it quite a bit because the car gives off a heavy gas smell in the mornings when I start her up.

Well...this is quite the ramble...to recap: 1) any thoughts on the phantom tranny clunks that haven't reappeared but were definately unsettlig 2) The clutch smell I've experienced...is it possible that the clutch isn't always disengaging completely when I fully press the pedal down. I;ve noticed that the idle changes subtely when I press the clutch whilest the car is in neutral. I also feel a bit of a clunk in the stick when I put it in first before I let of the clutch...is that normal to feel it engage prior to letting of the clutch?

I guess thats plenty for now. I have 8 months left on the basic warranty so I'm not too worried yet but I would like to nip any issues in the bud now if I can. I did take it into the Dealer as soon as I got back...it of course recieved a clean bill of health.

Thanks in advance for not only reading all this jiberish but helping with info if you have it!

Mark

HeavyMetal699

Wow, nice post.

The sputtering at low RPM's could be different things. I would say to start off with is to check the spark plugs and coils. If the spark plugs are extremely fouled that could be the problem.

As for the transmission clunking does it only do it right when you start up the car? If so that is an ABS check and is completely normal and the sound it makes(especially when its cold) is a thunk. Usually happens a few seconds after you start moving.

Also the heavy gas smell could be the catalytic converter dying. All RX-8's have a little bit of a gas smell on start up though.


Also a great way to get REAL help on your car is to post in the regional forums and attend a car meet. You can get someone who is familar with rx-8s to help diagnose problems.

notorque

the only answer i can give is for the idle changing when the clutch is depressed and vice-versa. our cars at idle have relatively low torque, and you combine that with a decently weighted flywheel(not heavy at all) and a heavy clutch plate. it bogs it a little when you releace it. All the RX-8's do it.

and a guess for the gas smell is the cold starts, on cold days mine smells like its pig rich, on warm days i dont smell anything. and having 10k on the dorito, i doubt your cat is going.

but DO go to the dealership, take a short video of when you start it up and move it so they can see it, murphy's law says when you take it there it will be fine.

good luck in your endeavor.

mtphilipps

iTrader: (1)

Well...I guess it could be a brake thing...it sounded almost like pan lid (that kinda high metallic clang...then the shutter until I got up to speed) The shutter felt like when you start off in too high of a gear. Keep in mind that it only happened after driving at high speeds for a long time. Seems to be some how related to that long trek i took. I guess i'm just afraid that I may have found a potential issue that won't manifest itself until it gets hotter here and i hit the highway.

Thanks for the tip about the local crew...I definately look. My guess is that the population of RX8 drivers thins the farther north you get.

As a funny side note...I bought a set of snow tires from Hobbes and they are working great...although they are on steel rims (no wheel covers) and make her look like an urban assault vehicle...all she needs is a gun turret on the roof!

dmc27

I find the trans more clunky & cranky when it's colder out, so the clanking & shuttering issue you describe is a little more troubling. Unfortunately I don't know that there's a whole lot to be done about it w/o being able to replicate it.

Hopefully your long trip was just a great way to work out the kinks in what must have been someone's second car. 10k on an 05 is pretty damn low.

It's definitely worth reporting to your local dealership and trying to get them to do a ride along once the car is warmed up. You should have 5/60 on the powertrain which means you have all of 09 and some portion of 2010 left on the warranty.

Good luck, and welcome to the fun!

mtphilipps

iTrader: (1)

Your right...and the car didn't go into service until 11-22-05 so I have alot longer than I thought. Thanks for the help.

dmc27

hhmmmm . . . just re-read my post, and it's not as clear as it should be. The tranny seems less clunky once it warms up.

pagrimso

I was curious if you ever got your problem figured out? What you described is almost exactly what i have been experiencing lately. I usually have to drive atleast 45 mins to notice it, and it becomes more pronounce the longer i drive. Them when it sits for a couple hours it is like nothing is wrong. Very curious.