question: Short block replaced
 

Hey guys, sup?

I looked at a 2005 RX8, the carfax showed a replacement of the short block(at 2011).

Dealer told me it's a recall by Mazda.

I am not really sure what is the short block. Should I take this replacement as a positive one or negative?

Lots of thanks

I believe that's showing the engine was replaced under the extended 8 year/100k mile warranty.

BTW, I looked at their photoes, and noticed there are rusts on tyre inner cycle (showed below). carfax is totally clean, but could this be a clue of flooding history?

http://photos.ecarlist.com/OZ/kJ/9f/.../45/VQ_640.jpg

^ no, that was a known issue and there was a TSB about it. Some dealers repainted them, some did nothing. You have a 4 port engine so if it was replaced that is a good thing, just make sure you drive it often and get it hot.

good to know, thanks very much.

When you say "drive it often", how often do you recommend? I am looking for an '08 mostly for a secondary vehicle or "party" vehicle, probably wont drive everyday(little concerned about the gas consumption).

BTW I go to my GF's now and then(who lives very close, 10 min walking distance), there are many stop signs on the route, so I guess it could be 5 min driving. is this too short to warm up the engine?

Yes, the engine was replaced this year.

As long as the car is warm enough for the temperature gauge to reach normal (two tics left of center) you'll be OK. If most of the drive is stop signs and idling, rather than driving, you might do the 10 second rev thing described in the quick start manual.

You don't need to drive it every day. Lots of people have 8s as weekend toys. Just drive it as often as you would any other car...you don't want anything to regularly sit for a month and have to jump start it every time.

BTW - "short block" is the usual term they use when Mazda replaces an engine under the powertrain or extended core warranty. They transfer all the external parts from the old engine, so even though the rotary has no heads it's kind of analogous to short block for a conventional engine.

Ken

Driving for 5 minutes will not get your oil up to temp. Your coolant may get up to temp but not the oil, so make sure you change it often because even when you do change it you are still leaving several quarts of used oil in the systems so that new oil is instantly diluted by old oil. Oil that does not get up to temp does not have a chance to burn off contaminants.

I didn't know this. Thanks. I was wondering what short block meant in the context of the Wankel. I thought they'd just say motor or engine.

My car also has a short block replaced on carfax at 58,000 miles I called the dealer it was under powertraim or extended core warrantee....my question is......does this mean it was a new block or is it a Mazda remanufacture?

Re-manufactured.

The only way to get a new engine would be to invent a time machine and go back in time to steal one from an un-sold '8 (or just grab one coming off the assembly line in Japan).

It will have a blue and sliver tag on the top front cover if it is a reman engine. You may be able to see it if you look between the alternator and air intake hose. Should have a date on the tag too.

RDHjapan has a new one listed on their site if you have 6K laying around..

https://www.rhdjapan.com/mazda-oem-1...k-se3p-mt.html

I got even smarter 2 years ago and added a semi-permanent Battery Tender setup for a 1 crank start every time... The only way an Optima Battery lasts a couple years.

I couldn't find the yak I even took off the air box hose, either way it runs like a top with 8.1 8.0 compression across the board......a reman from 2015 has to be better quality than the older ones right?

It really depends on who built it, the remans are sort of a crap shoot. From what I have read some of them come with 100% new internals while other get just a gasket & seal kit. 99% of the time they do come with new rotor housings but who knows if they resurfaced the end plates or just reused them.....

Mazda remans have the bare minimum to get the engine running again.

Any rebuild under $2500 will be the same. Probably similar for most rebuilds under $3500 since that's the cost of the parts alone (not including labor) for seals, housings, etc through Mazda Motorsports Development.