Was ready to purchase a 2007 RX-8 Sport 6-speed MT until I started finding information on the internet about engine problems. Questions for this informed and knowledgeable user group:

1. What are the problems with the engine?

2. What has Mazda's response been besides extending the powertrain warranty?

3. Does the 2007 RX-8 engine differ in design/construction from the previous engines?

4. Any other issues (besides adding oil, mileage and starting quirks) with the RX-8?

Thanks in advance for your answers to these questions.

Regards - RX8newuser

 

search, search, search and search.

 

2007 won't have any problems.

It was the early auto transmissions with one oil cooler that was the main problem.

It cost about the same to replace the engine as it does to do a whole top end job on a V8 piston engine.

 

> 1. What are the problems with the engine?

Seal failures due to issues with lubrication. Mazda blames the use of synthetic oil. Many owners blame it on not driving the car hard enough.

> 2. What has Mazda's response been besides extending the powertrain warranty?

All RX8's through mid-2006 were recalled for inspection and testing. Oil injection programming was revised to eliminate the problem. When brought in under that recall, owners got a free loaner, a wash, and usually a free tank of gas.

> 3. Does the 2007 RX-8 engine differ in design/construction from the previous engines?

From previous RX-8 engines? No. Just updated ECU flash. In '06 the auto got the same engine as the MTs had from the beginning.

> 4. Any other issues (besides adding oil, mileage and starting quirks) with the RX-8?

No. Unless smiling all the time is an issue. This car is a delight to drive. For the most part, once people have one they tend to find more and more to like about it. Look for the thread "The little things." Besides the rotary engine being really cool (no timing belt to replace, no cam or valves, loves to rev to 9000 rpm, etc) so many of the details of the car are extremely well thought out.

IMHO, adding oil is almost a non-issue. It's typically a quart between oil changes. The only real quirk is remembering to not turn the car off before it's warmed up. But once you start the car, why would you not want to drive it for at least the five minutes it takes to warm up?

Ken

 

Please search....or use the kindness of those who have answered these questions a trillion times over.

Or just buy a Camry.

 

Just out of curiosity, what was the powertrain warranty extended to? I'm actually having my engine replaced right now on my '04 at 44,000 miles and I know it's still covered.

 

up to 60K miles.

 

seal faliures? what.? when did this happen? hmmm for the rx8...wow time to search

 

I thought most of the problems with the engine flooding were taken care of with the ecu flash in 06. As for the seals, does it really help to drive it hard? I'm still relatively new to the rx-8 and I am slowly getting through all the threads. I'm sure that the 07 should be a very solid model. I have an 06 Shinka and I haven't had any problems with it at all. *knock on wood* It's a great car and the gas mileage is about the same as other sports cars, especially if you drive by-the-book, shifting at 3500-4000 range. But I like to take it to 7000 it's just fun. I believe a lot of the problems were in the earlier models check the threads and see if this is true. If you look at the consumer reports the the only downside is the gas mileage. The engine seems to be solid. I hope you do you research and hope you are satisfied with your purchase. The RX-8 is a very fun and unique car.

 

wow.

that did not come form this thread. how did you do that..

gfl..

beers

 

My understanding is that the "drive hard" part isn't directly related to the seals, but to avoid carbon buildup. Carbon buildup then hurts the seals.

Somewhere on this site there are Mazda TSBs - one from the Netherlands and one from Australia, if I recall correctly - that show really nasty looking carbon/sludge deposits on the side exhaust ports. Mazda claims it's from synthetic oil, while the experts here (not being facetious - there are some real rotory experts) say it's from driving like a granny or maybe from cheap gas. Either way, driving hard blows the stuff away before it has a chance to accumulate.

FWIW, all engines benefit from being run hard every now and then.

And the RX-8 is definitely a fun car. If you don't want to have fun, buy a Civic or an Avea.

Ken

 

I do have to agree w/ the whole driving hard theory ...

I owned an '85 rx7 that I ran up to 178k mile on the original engine (had the tranny replaced at around 165k) and the rear was on it's way out when I had to unload the car as a parts car due to it being hit & run by a drunk in a jeep!!!!

But it still ran strong as hell .. I just didn't have the money to get all the body work done (again)

But any way that 12A engine had 178k on it and ran stronger than a lotta 13B's i drove .. it was an animal!!

Possibly part of the reason it ran soo good is that i beat the living **** outta it! ??????

On a side note:
Shortly after parting w/ that one I test drove a nice 85' -- the original owner was selling. It only had like 75k miles on it. Almost everything on it except the brake pads were original. I got the thing on the highway .... revved it up to it's buzzer and the dude freaked out!!!
"Don't rev it that high!!!" he was totally freaked ...... at that moment I knew I wouldn't buy that car!!!

(although I kinda wish I did 'cause it was a rare 1st gen in pretty mint condition)