Mazda rx8 low compression on one rotor
 

i need help. what do i have to do to fix the rotor? how much will it cost? and is it true that there is a mazda warranty that covers this problem??

millage? year?
do you have service history since you bought it?
also where are you located?
MAZDA warrants the engine core up to 8 year/100k miles.

how you know low compression in one rotor ?

its a 2004 mazda rx8. mileage 73,000. it takes 8-10 seconds to start up. i really need to know dude because this car is freakin awesome and im located in miami florida

when did you changed the sparkplugs and coils?
is your starter the new improved version?
did you do a compression test?

my mechanic did the compression test and thats how he discovered this problem. and i dont think ive changed the spark plugs or coils....and i really dfont know if the starter is new or old :/ sorry im only 16 so idk much :D

then maybe you should start your "SEARCH"

your question has been answered like 50 million times.

Read the stickies too.

If the compression is low (just like with any other engine) then you must replace or rebuild it. '

We're not launching the space shuttle here.

However everyone on this forum will yell "plugs, coils, starter, decarb!" as a magical fix-all for the car. If you've done a compression test and gotten results below 95 then you know you are on borrowed time with the engine.

do anyone knows the normal reading for the compression to be in both rotor?

I believe anywhere between 7 - 8.5 kgf/cm2 is nominal for each face of each rotor, ... or 680-840 KPa or 98.6 - 122 psi

Hey, I just went through this. Mazda sent out a 2006 replacement motor. Check your vin. Some of the 04s built in 03 are covered for a factory default. BTW Ocean Mazda sucked. I knew it was the only way to get the engine, but i had to shut off a cel when I got home.

Hey, I know this isnt my threat but idk how to start one of if i can. But i have a question. I have been looking to by an 04 rx8, its in great shape had the engine replaced in 06 and map-16 done along with brand new spark plugs clutch coil packs. However it has been recently take to a Mazda dealer who said it had slightly low compression. Is this a death sentence to the car? is slightly low bad and will it continue to get lower? thank you

if the engine borderline passes a compression test i wouldn't suggest getting the car and expecting it to last a good time longer.

the updated starter will buy you more time on a weak engine.

the mazda dealer said on paper work that it was slightly low and was nothing to worry about. Although i see on here a lot of mazda dealers cannot be trusted. Still same story?

Well I mean, it's not going to go back up on it's own, if that's what you're asking...

Now you can usually continue to drive them for months or years in this condition, but it will continue to gradually become weaker until it is no longer reliable enough to drive and action will have to be taken to rebuild or replace the engine.

yeah. I was hoping for a "it might not get any lower" answer but i understand. Love the car. Just want to make sure its gonna last a bit.(5 years at least) without the engine being repaired. It was replaced in 06 and has map-16.

Chances are the scores were in the 6s. In the 7s is normal healthy engine and the dealer would have no reason to mention "low". In the 5s is failing, and the dealer wouldn't have said just "low".

An engine in the 6s is NOT going to last "5 years" unless you drive it extremely limited. An engine in the low 6s probably won't last more than 10k-20k miles, high 6s would be longer, maybe 20k-30k. Just a guess on my part, but if you want 5 years out of the engine and drive a normal 12k-15k miles a year, you need an engine in the high 7s or 8s AND stay on top of all the possible failure methods.



However, as I tell anyone else. If you aren't willing to deal with engine failure, this simply is not the car for you. I would highly recommend you look elsewhere.

I'd say 2-3 years optimistically. The flash version has nothing to do with compression or longevity IMO.

Well, im trying not to be rude or disrespectful but i have daily driven my 8 ( between 30 - 35k miles) with 6s front and upper 5 s rear rotor. its still going strong and no hard/hot/cold starts issues. but i drive like its suppose to be driven. Engine oil change within 1500miles, red lining it atleast once a day , topping up regularly, always on top of my ignition system etc. Lets see what happens in another 20k miles

Hi everyone,

I happened upon this thread looking at a used car.

I'm not here to fight or cause problems or "troll" ok...

But I couldn't help but shake my head when I saw this thread because, in looking for a used car for my son and searching through autotrader, you don't know how many mazdas in general and rx8's specifically come up with massive motor problems like this around 100k.

My ex girlfriend had a 6 cylinder family car (can't recall model) and the motor went out around 100k. Then, AGAINST MY ADVICE, she bought an rx8 after that. Died around 90k..

And then we see so many instances like this of these mazda's crapping out like on this thread and all the ones i've seen for sale.

So I have to ask you... why did you buy a mazda? Did you do ANY research first?

Just because a car is japaneese, DOES NOT MEAN it is a good vehicle. That's just the human mind trying to label things because it's natural. People think that because of two words: honda and toyota.

Mazda? CRAP.

Mitsubishi? PIECES OF JUNK i've owned 2 and had a friend that owned 2. 100k max.

Add nissan to the list too - JUNK. Garbage.

Junk.

STAY AWAY from mazda's. Junk.

Mazda's are not junk. I've had excellent luck with Mazda's over the years. I bought my RX-8's knowing full well about the issues with the engine. I have no issues rebuilding or replacing the engine and I've replaced two engines on my 8's. Doesn't bother me because the car is incredible to drive. It has a certain character about it and I think it looks fantastic! With that said, if I like the car I won't hesitate to put money into it.

With that said, many things factor into a vehicle's reliability such as owner maintenance. A well maintained vehicle will last longer than a vehicle that was not maintained. I work for Toyota and I see cars with over 200k miles daily. They are running well and the owners maintain them. On the flip side, I've seen engines fail at 20k miles and at 50k miles and the vehicles were not well maintained. That's not to say that a well maintained vehicle can't have manufacturing defects. That's completely possible. I drive a very nice 06 BMW 330xi daily and it was an expensive car when new. It has issues that I've been living with until the weather warms up. High end cars are not without issues either. My brother in law's BMW lost oil pressure and developed a rod knock. I replaced the engine in his car at work last week. 69k miles and rod knock. Manufacturing defect. Either way, what I'm trying to say is that it doesn't matter what brand you buy, the vehicle will have to be well maintained and will not be without failed parts over its lifetime.

They're junk.

I'm not here to fight or cause problems or "troll" ok...

Though the evidence seems to contradict you......

Sound advice with good reasoning right there, from a dead guy :)

Tamas - love your Mr. Doctor quote, that man is a genius.