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RX8 overheating, causing car to shut-off.

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Old 09-25-2015, 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Gravey
^No one said anything about speed, and frankly speed is irrelevant, 220 is refering to it's temperature, you can be doing 0 MPH and overheat. In fact more speed might have actually cooled it down a few degrees


And apparently, you don't actually know your car, you only think you do. And it's very misguided.
Well; whether it bothers you or not, I am currently driving the car just like when I drove it off from the dealership (SMOOTH). Speed has MUCH to do, as the faster you are going, the harder that you're engine is working (especially with the AC on), and it would have meant covering more territory in lesser time.
* I have performed every oil change on time.
* 93 gas at ALL times.
* Always performed pressure and intake checks.
* Let car warm-up before driving it.
* I have NEVER turned-off the engine cold.
* Revving it, and driving it to red to keep motor alive.
* Small engine checks.
* Coolant topped-up when necessary (due to very small leaks, until now).
When this happened:
- I had topped up the coolant.
- Just performed an oil-change about a week and a half ago.
- I turned OFF the AC.
- Drove about 25-30 MPH for about 7 minutes (NOT revving the engine).
- No smoke, car wasn't too hot; but thermometer indicated it was overheating.
- Car DID have COOLANT but it was leaking (I believe that's what helped save it as well).
- Turned it OFF at the car-shop.
* I just parked at my house, car going PERFECT so far.

Like many have commented, why would I fool myself, I am the one driving it.
However, if anything fails in a couple of weeks, months, or even year. I will update this thread right away
.
Old 09-25-2015, 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Luiss7
[...]Speed has MUCH to do, as the faster you are going, the harder that you're engine is working (especially with the AC on), and it would have meant covering more territory in lesser time. [...]
Do you understand how a transmission works, and why there are different gears?
Old 09-25-2015, 01:18 PM
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heres what to look for OP
How do I know if I need to replace my engine do to overheating?
There are a couple of things to determine if the engine has been overheated to a point of needing replacement.
1. Is coolant in the over flow jug steaming or bubbling?
2. Check the plugs to see if antifreeze is on them - green goo or sweet taste (if you are that daring)
3. If you have access to a 4 gas analyzer have them seal off the over flow jug and see what the gases are in the jug. If any readings are there then it is definite.
to check why overheating.
1. I will assume that you took care of the radiator.
2. when was the last time the thermostat was changed? did you use a Mazda one?
3. to check for location of heat build up use an inferred heat light and see where a significant increase is at - across the radiator - water pump - thermostat- To check for a leak the easiest way is to use an ultra violet dye and a special light - the dye will seep any where there is a leak and show up under the ultra violet light as glowing.
Old 09-25-2015, 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Love_Hounds
Do you understand how a transmission works, and why there are different gears?
I'm sure if I would have hit 60 MPH or more+ during the overheating-process, I would have totaled the engine, blew a few gaskets, and gotten REAL SMOKE. I would not have made it anywhere.

In any case; my engine is not the only one to survive an overheat.
Follow this thread for more stories: http://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/has-your-engine-survived-overheat-932564/
Old 09-25-2015, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Luiss7
I'm sure if I would have hit 60 MPH or more+ during the overheating-process, I would have totaled the engine, blew a few gaskets, and gotten REAL SMOKE. I would not have made it anywhere.[...]
That's not what I meant when asking you about transmissions. You seem to imply speed is more important than what the engine is doing and that the engine is working the same amount at a given speed regardless of the engine RPM.

By this logic, I could say doing 30 MPH in first gear is asking the same of the engine as doing 30 MPH in fourth gear, which is NOT the case at all.
Old 09-25-2015, 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Love_Hounds
That's not what I meant when asking you about transmissions. You seem to imply speed is more important than what the engine is doing and that the engine is working the same amount at a given speed regardless of the engine RPM.

By this logic, I could say doing 30 MPH in first gear is asking the same of the engine as doing 30 MPH in fourth gear, which is NOT the case at all.
Right, but I drive an automatic.
And I was referring to under the condition of which I was driving the car.
Old 09-25-2015, 01:38 PM
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Do you know what RPM is?
Old 09-25-2015, 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Luiss7
Right, but I drive an automatic.
And I was referring to under the condition of which I was driving the car.
The logic still applies, at whatever traveling speed you were, as long as you weren't heavy on the throttle, the transmission would select the most efficient gear, bringing the RPMs down, but at higher speeds providing more airflow over the radiators.
Old 09-25-2015, 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Love_Hounds
The logic still applies, at whatever traveling speed you were, as long as you weren't heavy on the throttle, the transmission would select the most efficient gear, bringing the RPMs down, but at higher speeds providing more airflow over the radiators.
Oh OK, now I understand your point. Well yes, you're right.
However, understand that as the thermometer kept going up, there is no way I was gonna risk accelerating or revving the engine up. Keep in mind that my coolant was leaking out completely. Regardless, you are right about the airflow as well.
Old 09-25-2015, 01:56 PM
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You know that automatics and manuals both have multiple gears, that are shifted through while driving.
The operative word being Manual - as in you do it yourself vs. automatic - it does it automatically.
Old 09-25-2015, 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Gravey
You know that automatics and manuals both have multiple gears, that are shifted through while driving.
The operative word being Manual - as in you do it yourself vs. automatic - it does it automatically.
Of course, yet he mentioned about going 30 MPH in FIRST gear. I can't do that; or at least I haven't doe that in my automatic.
Old 09-25-2015, 02:48 PM
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Luiss7, you might be lucky, and your engine might survive this. It certainly has happened before.

But you need to understand 2 things about this engine.
1. The coolant seals are rubber and not easily replaced like a metal head gasket is. Too much heat damages the seals and causes an internal coolant leak in the engine. Once that happens, you are looking at a rebuild.
2. The various housings that make up the engine are alternating iron and aluminum, which expand and contract at different rates in reaction to heat. The aluminum ones can and do warp when overheated. Once warped, they cannot be used in a rebuild and must be replaced.
Old 09-25-2015, 04:39 PM
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So wait, with the fixes if you've put in, are you still losing coolant?
Old 09-26-2015, 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Loki
So wait, with the fixes if you've put in, are you still losing coolant?
After $360.00, and two days of work. (2 different mechanics) and 3 other people seeing it; including myself. Car does not overheat anymore, and it is NOT losing anymore coolant!
First mechanic recommended me to buy another fan, he said the current one is not working to it's 100% and is the reason why it is taking longer for the car to cool.
I will buy the fan this month, and the car should be ready, tho I am already driving it like NEW!
Old 09-26-2015, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Luiss7
After $360.00, and two days of work. (2 different mechanics) and 3 other people seeing it; including myself. Car does not overheat anymore, and it is NOT losing anymore coolant!
First mechanic recommended me to buy another fan, he said the current one is not working to it's 100% and is the reason why it is taking longer for the car to cool.
I will buy the fan this month, and the car should be ready, tho I am already driving it like NEW!
Declare victory and move on. For now.

One note on the fans: The two fans are not the same. If your mechanic was judging based on comparing the two fans he may have misjudged. If they rotate smoothly (by hand, car off and COLD! Or you'll lose fingers.) and aren't hard to spin, they are probably OK.
Old 09-26-2015, 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by wankelbolt
Declare victory and move on. For now.

One note on the fans: The two fans are not the same. If your mechanic was judging based on comparing the two fans he may have misjudged. If they rotate smoothly (by hand, car off and COLD! Or you'll lose fingers.) and aren't hard to spin, they are probably OK.
Hi, thanks. Fans stay on for a while after car is off, is that normal?
Old 09-26-2015, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Luiss7
Hi, thanks. Fans stay on for a while after car is off, is that normal?
It's normal when it's hot out and in stop & go traffic when the engine gets heat soaked.
Old 05-16-2018, 07:50 PM
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Sooo after two years, how many more weeks did the engine last?

Sorry for zombie thread revival but I'm looking to buy an overheated RX8, and want to know if he just scrapped the car lol
Old 05-16-2018, 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Nolman Alfa Espit
Sooo after two years, how many more weeks did the engine last?

Sorry for zombie thread revival but I'm looking to buy an overheated RX8, and want to know if he just scrapped the car lol
Odds are that car needs a new engine now. So... yeah.
Old 05-18-2018, 11:45 AM
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OP hasn't been on in almost two years and his last post a year after this one talked about continued overheating problems.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...eating-262439/
Old 05-20-2018, 10:16 AM
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Ignorance is bliss!
Old 05-20-2018, 09:46 PM
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AZ

Am I correct in the understanding that overheating the car even once most likely means it is done? Mine overheated the other day reaching 240 degrees before I noticed it.is it time to let it go? It's an '04, 110k miles, but I've only had it since March. And I live in hell... I mean Arizona.
I REALLY don't want to be blissfully ignorant.
Old 05-20-2018, 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Raymond Mitchell
Am I correct in the understanding that overheating the car even once most likely means it is done? Mine overheated the other day reaching 240 degrees before I noticed it.is it time to let it go? It's an '04, 110k miles, but I've only had it since March. And I live in hell... I mean Arizona.
I REALLY don't want to be blissfully ignorant.
"Done" means either compression is low, or coolant and/or oil is leaking where it shouldn't leak. Get the compression checked, and watch the oil and coolant like a hawk.
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Old 05-21-2018, 04:58 AM
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AZ

Originally Posted by IamFodi
"Done" means either compression is low, or coolant and/or oil is leaking where it shouldn't leak. Get the compression checked, and watch the oil and coolant like a hawk.

Thank you.I will do that. Any other suggestions on owning an 8, I'm happy to listen.
Old 05-21-2018, 05:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Raymond Mitchell
Thank you.I will do that. Any other suggestions on owning an 8, I'm happy to listen.
There are several stickied threads in the various subforums aimed at new owners. Tons of info in there. Best to start with those.


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