Hey, I picked up a 04 M/T Rx-8 2 weeks ago. after a week I took it into service for an oil change and such. I also told them that it has rough Idle (the car shakes really bad at idle). They did the recal 4206f and said that the rough idle is normal. I'm taking it to another dealer on friday and have them check it out. I also told them that the car sometimes looses power and you have problems getting the car to accelerate. They reflashed the ECU and it got even worse (according to me but they told me it doesn't have rough idle and it's just me)
Hopefully the other dealership will know slightly more about rotaries.

Is this a sign of a dying engine?

I asked if they could do a compression test... $250, is it worth it?

 

It could just be Motor Mounts, look at this "TSB" print and show to your dealer. How many miles? Have the dealer print out a maintenance history...it's free. A compression check is a good thing. The engine and drive train have a 5yr 60K warranty.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...21-06-1559.pdf

 

Losing power is mostly a sign of failing IGN coils. Very common problem

Check out this thread..... >> https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-burnt-out-coil-replacement-131476/ <<.....

REgards

 

I have an 04 with a little bit of vibration at idle. I wouldn't call it bad but it is noticable. One thing that works sometimes is to disconnect the battery and wait a few minutes, connect it back up and the idle should be better. I think it has something to do with restarting the ECU data.

 

I'd bet that its your motor mounts. I developed the same symptoms that you're describing, and brought the car to a dealer. They said "nope, we can't find a problem", which means they just can't figure it out. Finally I printed up the motor mount TSB (check the tech section on this forum) and told them to replace the motor mounts. I got a call back from them and they said "Ok, sorry you were right." They replaced the motor mounts, and the car felt very smooth at idle. No more hesitation in low RPMs, either.

 

Mine has brand new motor mounts put in about 2 months ago at the dealership.\
My car seems to hesitat before accelerating off of a onramp onto a freeway, It takes the car very long to get upto the flow traffic speeds (80-85) in 3rd gear (starting at around 45mph)