So who belongs to the one engine club?
 

For nearly ten years this automobile has given faithful service to thousands of proud owners in all corners of the world, and time has been powerless to diminish the joy if gives to all fortunate enough to drive one.

To those visiting this forum for the first time, and to those considering purchase of an RX-8, realize that since the automobile was invented, any engine in any car can develop problems. Unlike ordinary engines, the few moving parts in the hand-made Renesis sometimes makes replacement more sensible than repair when engine issues develop. As a result, a small minority of RX-8 owners who have experienced engine problems have had their engines replaced – rather than repaired – by Mazda.

To the vast majority of you who have enjoyed your RX-8… and the one and only Renesis it's ever had… we dedicate this thread.

Proud member since 2/06.

Member since Sept 2005 - purchased at 17,200 km, now 138,xxx km

Compression test done July 2012 prior to end of warranty.

The car is driven enthusiastically and does not spend time in city traffic.
Four years as a DD, two as a summer DD, now officially my toy.

I cannot think of another enthusiast car I'd rather own; It has the most exotic engine you can buy.
The other day I was having a little fun, listening to music, blasting around town and hit fuel cut-off... oops... I didn't even know I was near redline! Smooth engine.

Mostly ran Castrol GTX 5W20
Running Castrol 5W30 since 2010 as I only run the car in summer now.

No pre-mix except when seafoaming the engine

Running Cobb AP with MM tune since August 2010
Last year we installed the oil pressure mod.

Next are cooling system maintenance (coolant change, fan check/change, water pump check/change), OMP line and injector cleaning and installation of a Sohn adaptor

Compression tests

Another proud owner since 4/05.

5/20 Dino and no pre mix. Brand; I'm not sure but it is always serviced @ the dealer, so whatever they use.

Same here. proud member since i got her in late 2007. She's the only car I've owned since I was 16. Now i'm 21 and she's still feels like she did the day I got her. 75,000 and counting

-Dave

First engine here... But I've only had her for just over a year, and she has only 41k.

Yep, first engine since '06 and my '04 survived till '11 before getting rear eneded in dec

Would it be to much to ask to have anyone who posts in this thread to list at the end of their message two things:

-Oil used; weight and dino or syn?

and

-Pre mix; yes or no?


**2007 GT M6, 19K miles, 5-20 dino every 2-3K mi., no premix.

It's close to 9 years old with only 45K all original. If I was still working I would have way over 250K on it. This is my seventh RX .... I am always enjoying it so..... till the next RX in 201X.

I've only had my '04 for 10 months. But was comp. Original motor according to service records. Bought the car with 75,000km's now at 105,000km. It's my DD 85% highway driving, 10% back road, and 5% city.

Engine Oil: Pennzoil 5w20 dino every 5,000- 6,000 km
Premix: 6-8 oz/tank. Lucas semi-synthetic 2 stroke oil. However I do forget to premix every once and a while.

Only issue so far is my cat crapped out. I wanted to run cat-less anyways, so it was a motivator to do so.

DarkBrew :

Is it possible Mazda tested on a cold engine? If this isn't the case, then I suspect a normal difference between the TR-01 and Mazda's equipment.

My readings are just below spec using the TR-01, and I am over 98k miles on my original engine, but I am skeptical as to whether it would also fail Mazda's test if I were to try to get a replacement under warranty.

2004, previous and first owner was an old gentleman who had proper service done on schedule. Documented oil changes every 3000 miles using 5w20 dino. I took ownership summer of 2009 with 42,000 miles on it.

For the past three years I have put only 10,000 miles on it. Used 20w50 Castrol GTX along with proper 5-8oz premixing with each tank. Oil changes every spring season or 3000 miles after winter hibernation. I also use an over sized Mobil 1 M110 oil filter. Basic maintenance (coils, etc). Still on original cat. I baby it for the most part, though I do take the opportunities to go WOT at least once every drive. Runs fine as far as I can tell.

Edit: Simpler list

2004
5w20 dino every 3000 miles until 42,000 (babied and no premix)

AFTER 42,000 miles (now at ~53,000):
20w50 Castrol GTX
Over sized Mobil M110 oil filter
Premix 6-8oz every tank
Some what babied NYC car and hibernation during winters

2005 MT
Nitrous since 30,000 km
Boosted since 70,000 km
Odo sits at 90,000 right now

Premix most of the time

10w30 Dino

I took it to one of the better Mazda dealers, Scarboro Mazda, an hour away, with an appointment I had to make to ensure the "guy who works on rotaries will be there". When I picked it up I received the compression numbers only after I paid. No RPM numbers and no additional info because... wait for it... the guy who works on rotaries was away! :mad: The guy who did the test could not answer basic questions about the procedure but I was assured that everything was fine... :icon5::icon5: I hate going to the dealer... I miss Al B.
If I need an engine I'll feel better getting one from a forum vendor and installing with WCS and a case of Guinness.

How many people have results from the TR-01 AND numbers from Mazda? Include the numbers if you have them.

Original engine
 

09 GT with 38k, driven daily, seldom redlined (about once ever 5-6 days and very briefly. Still feels and looks new. Love it. Dino oil changed every 3k, 5-20.

Just over 50 k miles. 5w20 oil change at the dealer every 3000 miles. No premix. Daily driver, redlined once every few days.

Ken

2004 40k miles, no premix, 5w20 Dino, change every 3k. Runnin like a champ.

Oh, not many redlnes, but I run her like a rental car.

Me! It's an 05 with 36k plus miles, and still on its original engine. Bought the car used in 07 with 19k miles.

owned my 2010 r3 since new. has 24k on it. and same motor

the paint was replaced but motor is still strong as day one

Owner since '07
111,000 miles on the clock with no problems.
She's going to a new owner this week.
5-25W synthetic, no premix
DD for 5 years, occassional autoX/mnt run

Just hit 60k. No issues.

04' have had my car about 4 months, bought it with 24,166 miles original engine. Previous 1 owner was a doctor this was a weekend car, garage kept, after his wife decided she didnt like manual tranny. I am up to 26,789 miles now all checked out by Mazda USA, proper updates and records for all those years. This is my spring/summer DD, not looking forward to bringing the truck back out soon :( lol

Dino oil 5w-20l used until 26,189 miles now it runs mobile 1 0w-40 synthetic (Heck of a warm summer).
Premix royal purple synthetic 2 stroke since 24,456 miles.

Cool thread, look at all the people with high mileage 8's :rolleyes:. So how many miles do you have on yours New Yorker?

Car DOB 17 sept 2003
Delivery: Oct 2003
On original engine with 108 000km (10 000 with Hymee Supercharger)

Still going strong, serviced regularly. Close to 100 track days and winner of 2 RX8 nationals and several class sprint trophies. I am amazed by the punishment this car can handle. Hope to get a few more years of reliable use out of the original engine with many more track days.

I'm on the original engine, but it only has 35k miles on it. I've been running 5w/20 with no premix. I don't get to drive it nearly as much as I'd like, but when I do it gets a least one good redline run. There are a few places nearby where it has time to warm up and the speed limit is high enough that I don't have to worry about raising the eyebrows of Officer O'Malley ;)

62,000 miles, original everything (except normal maintenance & consumable items).

Conventional motor oil, 5000 mile changes: 5W30 winter, 10W40 summer
Idemitsu premix: 4-6 oz each tank.

Still waiting for SOMEthing to break, fail, wear out, etc.

Hey S2's don't count :lol:

2004 model year bought in Nov. 03, bought by me in 2009 with 30,000km, now 76,000km. Not daily, just weekends mostly highway + track days. BHR ignition installed shortly after purchase. Compression test done last November prior to end of warranty showed high 7's. 5w20 until end of warranty, now on synthetic in the engine and 2-stroke in the Sohn adapter.

Damn the compression numbers; my engine is still running just fine @ 102k miles

2004 about to hit 100k miles in the next few weeks.

Owned it for a little over 2 years. Drive it about 4-5k a year.

Currently using Mobil 1 10w-40. No premixing.

But do you guys who are not original owners know that the engine has not been replaced? I have a buddy who is a Mazda tech (and RX-8 owner) print out my service history and one of my engine replacements (had two done) didn't show up on the history and a cat replacement and some other small things show up that I have no memory or record of ever being done. So one should really look for the reman badge on the engine to make sure. I keep all my receipts for everything and so I called Mazda NA and my service history was updated with the receipts I provided.

I am the second owner of a 2004. I bought the car back in October 2008 with 42,000 miles. It now has 80,500 miles and still feels strong. Engine of course is the original.

My 04' just eclipsed 130,000 miles on the original engine..... I am holding my breath every time I drive it.

2005 original owner(on original engine) with ~41k on the clock.
Use 5w-30 Dino and Idemitsu premix at 6oz per tank since about 15k miles.
Change the oil just about every 3k miles. That reminds me..............I'm changing the oil and filter in the morning! :)


No real issues.

Had the old MazSport ignition and now for the last several years have the BHR ignition. Still change the plugs every 15k miles.

I would love to see a Renesis with over 100k on the Dyno.

05 BB 90,750mi. as of 11/21/2012 runs good no problems (knocking on wood.)
9k I will take you up on that 100k dyno thing as soon as I get tuned.
(and have my REW built and ready to swap lol.)

65k miles w/ a MM tune and BHR ignition. I've been premixing for the past 5000 miles with Idemitsu and still have fuel/OEM compression!

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

Orig engine...80000 miles. 53000 when I got her 4 years ago.
Nothing but 5W-20
BP Premium always
Seafome once a year
ALWAYS checking oil
Mostly highway driving and backroads (Indiana)
And I drive her like I stole it!! I beleive it's good for the engine to reduce that Carbon build up.

I HATE how this car can get a bad "rap" because the avg joe has no clue on how to maintain this car.

She has been put away for the winter...Already missing her but it's better then driving in the snow. RX-8 not made for the winter season. Plus I keep her so fresh I would cry to see salt and snow on her. Yes i really would cry...

Redline a day keeps the carbon away!

04 MT Velocity Red, sitting at 104xxx right now. Bought last September with about 98xxx on it, 4th owner. Records are clean, mazda shows no record of anything but a starter replacement around 70xxx. It is my DD, with about 90% city mileage. I live about 2 miles from where I work, and it's a lot of stop and go, but I try and baby it a bit. Since I usually work nights, I get my redlines in when I go home after work. Couple good places around here where the cops don't drive, and some nice long straights just call your name!

And as much as I hear that 8s aren't meant for winter weather, I don't have a choice. It's my only car, so it's what gets used. Thankfully I live in a flat area, so no worries about snow or rain on hills.

5w30 dino oil every 3k miles with k&n filters, and just starting my yearly seafoaming.

hmmmm
 

Well my R3 is still on the factory engine, but then she only did 30K on a 2009 car....

09, GT, with 40K. 5-20 Dino, no pre-mix. There are also folks on another thread, the 100K+ thread and a few in the 200K thread and it appears that the redline a day is a myth, the pre-mix may be too since a few folks have reached that high mileage without either.

04 with 67k miles. 5w20 and 3oz premix. Never used seafoam, just MMO every few months in the tank and oil.

Coils, plugs and wires changed every May. One redline a week at most. As the miles add up I have felt the midrange get stronger.

Almost the same miles here but with 10w40. Suprising you've made it so long with 5w20, although if you change the oil quite frequently, I suppose you've mitigated most of the risk.

Anyway, 1 redline a week at most?!? Damn, you must hate your car lol.

I see this thread as simply flirting with disaster.

2004 4AT with 60,000 miles (40,000 of which boosted) and can neither confirm or deny that I'm still on my first engine.

3rd GReddy (rebuilt twice).

:)

04 GT 23k miles. Bought 7-12 with 18.5k
I assume it's 1st engine.

I have read that I can call Mazda North America (?) to verify all recall and updates?
I have not done so yet.

04 138k km(85-86k miles i think)
5w 20 dino oil but i will be switching to 5w30 synthetic..
2nd owner..1st owner is a friend of mine so yeah its dealer service..
I'm not also a believer of a redline a day so i forgot when the last time I redline her but i dont drive like a granny either
so most of the time is on the mid rpm

2004 with 107,000 on the 1st engine
Second Owner
5W30 Valvoline Conventional Oil
Premium 93 octane
6k rpm once every trip
Redline 3 times a week

'04 GT with 83k original miles, only owned it for about 5 months now.

got it with the presumption that the engine was cooked but it was simply flooded. ran great after a recharge on the battery and a bit of cranking.

history?

who knows. it was cheap, super cheap so i didn't give a **** about the history.

Proud owner since February 17, 2012 of a 2005 6-speed Shinka. Bought the car with about 34,000 miles from a neighbor. She occasionally walks her dog and tells me how much she misses driving it. It was regularly serviced at the dealership and had all its recalls and TSBs worked on till 2008. Unfortunately, I also had the VIN searched up several weeks ago to find out any problems that may have happened to her when she owned it from 2005 to 2011. First issue was the insulator pad around 2005, whatever the hell that is, followed by two starting issues in 2005 and 2006, both being related to the battery, then reported loss of power followed by the cat being replaced at 9,000 miles around 2006. :wallbash: Around 2007, a re-flash was done (Thank goodness). 2008, she flooded the engine. Apparently, the guy also told me she stopped taking it for routine maintenance after 2008 at the dealership... So who knows what may have happened in the span of three years without any maintenance history? :scared: As soon as I got my hands on the car, I flushed the coolant, changed the transmission and differential fluid, changed the oil by switching to Castrol GTX 5W-30. The coils died on me around 36,000 miles and changed them to OE coils, plugs, and wires. When I took the plugs out, man were they encrusted with A LOT OF GUNK, literally caked on layer of carbon! That means that she most likely babied the engine a lot and possibly flooded it numerous times during the time she had the car. I cleaned the MAF sensor, ESS, and reset the ECU. I now pre-mix with Idemitsu with 6 oz for every tankful of gas, change the oil every 3,000 miles with Castrol GTX 5W-30, currently run without a cat, and redline the car several times a week. Currently running the original engine with about 46,000 miles without any hot start issues. (Longest it has taken me is almost two seconds on a hot day after a hard run)

I happened to be curious wether or not I still had my first engine. So, I gave Mazda a call today and I was surprised to find out that I am. =) Thought that was pretty cool. I have a 2004 MT GT with just shy of 95,000 miles, running strong. I did dyno my car earlier this spring, With an exhaust and an AEM CAI, No Tune. I ran about 165whp on a Dynojet. I also did not remove the DSC fuse, which I hear creates less HP. Im anxious to re-dyno the car now with a complete NA tune, and the fuse removed.