Mazda rx8 rotary engine life? 100k?
06-24-2012, 10:02 AM
#28
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Although I don't have many miles (27k) on my '05, I have to say that it has been very reliable. I've only had to replace coils, wires and plugs at 25k which should be considered routine maintenance like brakes and tires.
Having owned and autox'd Minis in the 60s and 70s, I still read the Mini forums today and am amazed that as popular as the Mini's they are quite unreliable. It seems that there are far more engine, turbo, timing gear, oil leaks, etc problems than the engine problems that we see on our RX8s. Overall, the RX8 seems to be far more reliable than so many of the others out there.. BMW, Mini, Porche, 350/370 Nissan etc.
Am I off base?
Having owned and autox'd Minis in the 60s and 70s, I still read the Mini forums today and am amazed that as popular as the Mini's they are quite unreliable. It seems that there are far more engine, turbo, timing gear, oil leaks, etc problems than the engine problems that we see on our RX8s. Overall, the RX8 seems to be far more reliable than so many of the others out there.. BMW, Mini, Porche, 350/370 Nissan etc.
Am I off base?
06-24-2012, 10:36 AM
#29
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No, you aren't. Owning a sports car is largely the same regardless of WHICH sports car. The only difference is the particulars of what issues you face.
It is something far far too many people largely ignore.
It is something far far too many people largely ignore.
06-24-2012, 12:21 PM
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06-24-2012, 02:00 PM
#31
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'Tune up' is coils, plugs, wires, $182 from Advance Auto online. 1hr to replace in your driveway if you have never done it before.
$750 is getting screwed.
The rest of the $1,250 is probably the same.
$750 is getting screwed.
The rest of the $1,250 is probably the same.
06-24-2012, 06:30 PM
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At least I will know when I replace these in 15000-20000 miles.
06-24-2012, 08:56 PM
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I would rather point you to vendors like Mazmart, which have about the same price pre-discounts, but when you add in Advance's monthly sales with cash back, flat rate discounts, and free shipping, it becomes easily the cheapest source. And they ARE OEM parts. Just not sold through a dealer. Just choose the "exact fit" option when looking.
06-24-2012, 11:03 PM
#35
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I have a 04 model, they replaced the engine under warranty at 65k. I had trouble with it in the first two months. Turns out my intake had carbon built up on it because I was not driving the car hard enough. I believe words the mechanic used were "stop ***** driving it" lol
I have over 130 k on the new engine ( I drive 45m one way to work 5 days a week )
I keep up the maintenance and drive it like I stole it everywhere I go. Runs great. No new coils or plugs just a new altenator, brakes, tires, 93 octane and my foot on the gas. If it is not broke don't fix it, drive it.
I have owned it for 5 years and
I STILL LOVE MY CAR !!
I have over 130 k on the new engine ( I drive 45m one way to work 5 days a week )
I keep up the maintenance and drive it like I stole it everywhere I go. Runs great. No new coils or plugs just a new altenator, brakes, tires, 93 octane and my foot on the gas. If it is not broke don't fix it, drive it.
I have owned it for 5 years and
I STILL LOVE MY CAR !!
06-25-2012, 06:27 AM
#36
I have a 04 model, they replaced the engine under warranty at 65k. I had trouble with it in the first two months. Turns out my intake had carbon built up on it because I was not driving the car hard enough. I believe words the mechanic used were "stop ***** driving it" lol
I have over 130 k on the new engine ( I drive 45m one way to work 5 days a week )
I keep up the maintenance and drive it like I stole it everywhere I go. Runs great. No new coils or plugs just a new altenator, brakes, tires, 93 octane and my foot on the gas. If it is not broke don't fix it, drive it.
I have owned it for 5 years and
I STILL LOVE MY CAR !!
I have over 130 k on the new engine ( I drive 45m one way to work 5 days a week )
I keep up the maintenance and drive it like I stole it everywhere I go. Runs great. No new coils or plugs just a new altenator, brakes, tires, 93 octane and my foot on the gas. If it is not broke don't fix it, drive it.
I have owned it for 5 years and
I STILL LOVE MY CAR !!
06-25-2012, 07:47 AM
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I know that may be easy but they make it hard and expensive... Do you know where I can see how do it by myself?? That may help me.. And I could save money.... I don't want this car raping my wallet no way! I hope find any Web to see how do it thanks
06-25-2012, 07:51 AM
#38
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Yes. There is a handy website called RX8Club.com, that has a section called The Do It Yourself Forum. In that subforum there is all the instruction sets you need, including lists of what is in the forum.
And Mazda made it incredibly easy to work on an 8. Not hard. The dealer and other shops pretend it's hard so they can charge you ludicrous amounts of money.
I see you added a country flag. Not sure if you are actually from there or if that was a misclick. If you are actually in Ireland, it might be a bit more difficult to locate the parts cheaply, but still can be done.
And Mazda made it incredibly easy to work on an 8. Not hard. The dealer and other shops pretend it's hard so they can charge you ludicrous amounts of money.
I see you added a country flag. Not sure if you are actually from there or if that was a misclick. If you are actually in Ireland, it might be a bit more difficult to locate the parts cheaply, but still can be done.
06-26-2012, 07:29 AM
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Yes. There is a handy website called RX8Club.com, that has a section called The Do It Yourself Forum. In that subforum there is all the instruction sets you need, including lists of what is in the forum.
And Mazda made it incredibly easy to work on an 8. Not hard. The dealer and other shops pretend it's hard so they can charge you ludicrous amounts of money.
I see you added a country flag. Not sure if you are actually from there or if that was a misclick. If you are actually in Ireland, it might be a bit more difficult to locate the parts cheaply, but still can be done.
And Mazda made it incredibly easy to work on an 8. Not hard. The dealer and other shops pretend it's hard so they can charge you ludicrous amounts of money.
I see you added a country flag. Not sure if you are actually from there or if that was a misclick. If you are actually in Ireland, it might be a bit more difficult to locate the parts cheaply, but still can be done.
06-26-2012, 11:29 AM
#41
Mind sharing what all was done on the car finally?
Please please please please please please please, for the sake of the car, read all the sticky threads on this forum. There's not a lot you need to do, just a bunch of stuff you need to know. Since you're still new to the car, change for a better tranny fluid, check for usual problems: glowing cat, cracked coolant reservoir, low fuel mileage and enjoy the car! And keep your oil topped up.
06-26-2012, 04:09 PM
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06-26-2012, 05:41 PM
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"A red line a day, keeps,the engine gunk away"
I have a 04 and its auto. 81k. Just about to replace original coils, replaced plugs n wires once before..this time doing all 3.. I will try to get a new engine, no problems at all yet, just loosing some torque in low rpms I think its due to the coilsI just drive the sh/t out of it.
I have a 04 and its auto. 81k. Just about to replace original coils, replaced plugs n wires once before..this time doing all 3.. I will try to get a new engine, no problems at all yet, just loosing some torque in low rpms I think its due to the coilsI just drive the sh/t out of it.
06-27-2012, 05:49 AM
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Glad it's back to being happy.
Mind sharing what all was done on the car finally?
Please please please please please please please, for the sake of the car, read all the sticky threads on this forum. There's not a lot you need to do, just a bunch of stuff you need to know. Since you're still new to the car, change for a better tranny fluid, check for usual problems: glowing cat, cracked coolant reservoir, low fuel mileage and enjoy the car! And keep your oil topped up.
Mind sharing what all was done on the car finally?
Please please please please please please please, for the sake of the car, read all the sticky threads on this forum. There's not a lot you need to do, just a bunch of stuff you need to know. Since you're still new to the car, change for a better tranny fluid, check for usual problems: glowing cat, cracked coolant reservoir, low fuel mileage and enjoy the car! And keep your oil topped up.
06-27-2012, 07:43 AM
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Read applicable posts but couldn't find definitive info:
I was just told by the dealer they will replace engine under 8 year/100000 warranty. I'm running an 04 AT with 65K miles. Low compression, didn't use much oil, became sluggish...hard to start when hot...the usual. I always did reccomended maintenance (5w-20) every 3000 etc. Had one flooding problem during the life of that engine...towed to dealership.
My questions are: will I end up with a newer 6-port or the same old 4-port? Have they ironed out the bugs on the apex seals or will this same thing happen again? Will it come equipped with the newer starter motor? Is 5-20W still the way to go (I'm in the states) or are they leaning to 5-30W? In short, I thought I had done everything to prevent this problem....since it didn't, what can I do this tiime around to get the life out of this thing?
I was just told by the dealer they will replace engine under 8 year/100000 warranty. I'm running an 04 AT with 65K miles. Low compression, didn't use much oil, became sluggish...hard to start when hot...the usual. I always did reccomended maintenance (5w-20) every 3000 etc. Had one flooding problem during the life of that engine...towed to dealership.
My questions are: will I end up with a newer 6-port or the same old 4-port? Have they ironed out the bugs on the apex seals or will this same thing happen again? Will it come equipped with the newer starter motor? Is 5-20W still the way to go (I'm in the states) or are they leaning to 5-30W? In short, I thought I had done everything to prevent this problem....since it didn't, what can I do this tiime around to get the life out of this thing?
06-27-2012, 06:21 PM
#47
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Read applicable posts but couldn't find definitive info:
I was just told by the dealer they will replace engine under 8 year/100000 warranty. I'm running an 04 AT with 65K miles. Low compression, didn't use much oil, became sluggish...hard to start when hot...the usual. I always did reccomended maintenance (5w-20) every 3000 etc. Had one flooding problem during the life of that engine...towed to dealership.
My questions are: will I end up with a newer 6-port or the same old 4-port? Have they ironed out the bugs on the apex seals or will this same thing happen again? Will it come equipped with the newer starter motor? Is 5-20W still the way to go (I'm in the states) or are they leaning to 5-30W? In short, I thought I had done everything to prevent this problem....since it didn't, what can I do this tiime around to get the life out of this thing?
I was just told by the dealer they will replace engine under 8 year/100000 warranty. I'm running an 04 AT with 65K miles. Low compression, didn't use much oil, became sluggish...hard to start when hot...the usual. I always did reccomended maintenance (5w-20) every 3000 etc. Had one flooding problem during the life of that engine...towed to dealership.
My questions are: will I end up with a newer 6-port or the same old 4-port? Have they ironed out the bugs on the apex seals or will this same thing happen again? Will it come equipped with the newer starter motor? Is 5-20W still the way to go (I'm in the states) or are they leaning to 5-30W? In short, I thought I had done everything to prevent this problem....since it didn't, what can I do this tiime around to get the life out of this thing?
IF you are still covered (a 2004 is against or past the warranty limit of 8 years) you will get a remanufacturered 4-port engine. There are extensive modifications needed to change to a 6-port, including ECU, wiring harness, intake manifolds, etc... Mazda will not do this.
5w20 vs 5w30 or whatever only matters for your bearings, and your bearings only matter for rotor balance. Loss of compression due to seal wear has nothing to do with your choice of oil weight.
Basing one on the other is like basing your risk of having a totaled 8 on it being silver.....
06-28-2012, 08:01 AM
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Okay so I'll end up with another 4-port engine I guess. Since I did all the proper maintenance, revved to redline once a week, etc. I guess I'm trying to figure out what to do differently on this forthcoming reman engine to get more lifespan out of it. Since the original engine had low oil consumption, I'll watch for that. Frustrated cuz I did everything right...glad to get reman engine under warranty! But worried about future of this new one.