two rotors

The damaged catalytic converter issue is not related to the lack of lubrication.Approximately 20%of RX-8 sold at our dealership have had catalytic converters changed.Only 1 failed because of plugging of the matrix.The failure mode in all the others was break up of the matrix.In a couple of cases the break up was complete and fragments entered the muffler.In most cases the front brick disintegrated.
What is really interesting is that Mazda did not ask for any to be returned for their examination.
My view is that failure is mostly due to rapid temperature rise due to fuel burning in the matrix.On my own car I have logged the cat temperature change 350F in a matter of 10 secs.

ASH8

As this GENUINE Mazda Japan Bulletin says (and to some it may seem a contradiction) but the brand and grade you quote has been approved for use in your region by Mazda Japan's R&D, for reasons I can only guess, perhaps you don't have and equivalent mineral oil available.

ASH8

From what others have said your "Consumer and Trading" laws prevent MNAO from issuing any bulletins on this matter.

I also believe that Mazda recommends a particular grade of oil, not brand or type for the US as they do for all other countries.

mcr

If you're not matching revs I bet it is hard to downshift to first at 20mph. It'll be hard in any car - that's a lot to ask of the synchros on a regular basis. This might have something to do with your unusually short clutch life. You're not using the clutch instead of the brakes are you? If you just gotta be downshifting to 1st at these speeds, try double clutching - if you don't know how, at least try to match your revs for the downshift.



- Mike

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

OK-- let me see the only mod i have heard of for sure is
1- omp mode was not sufficant under certain conditions so new flash for correct omp under those conditions.
Then its tests and corrections from problems seen.
Thats it? Thats all?
Too me there sure are a lot of unaswered questions. For example
1- are they sticking to the 5W20 oil for all temp ranges? Probably so if they admit an error there it could open up a lot of problems.
2- What about the heat factor? No one is offically talking about that yet? I believe that is a big part of this package of problems. And it is not coolant temps--it is oil temps. We need better oil coolers.
3- need clean pick up site for the omp? I know Mazda didnt like the separate oil tank for the omp but clean oil into the combustion chamber sure makes more sense than pumping dirty oil(remember they recommend oil change at 7.5K) in there.
I hope they dont do a patch job here. Doesnt sound like it but it all is bottom line driven.
olddragger

Brice-RX8

CCarlisi, you sould listen to what MazdaManiac has to say he is one of the sharpest guys on this board when it comes to the rotary motor.

Olddragger, you are right, it does seem to be mostly heat and humidity (lack there of) related.

demob05

I guess this is where a separate tank for 2 cycle oil comes in handy... has anyone made this mod for an rx8??

Also, I think someone was talking about modding oil cooler fans (like those that existed with the FD rx7's back in the 80s). Might this also solve a lot of issues??

RX8PDX

I have been looking at aftermarket oil coolers. I couldnt find any that are an 'OEM' fit. But many that have some that have fans on them.

I may try and measure ours and see if I can find some that fit, I think fans on the coolers would be one of the best options.

ANIBALRX-8

Its Not Hard To Down Shift To First At 20mph I Do This All The Time To Slow My Car Down And A Nornaly Do It At 20 To 25 Mph.

sauceyI986

should i take my midpipe off before i take it in,

lazi

i don't think thats good for the car though. who down shifts to 1st in that speed?

willsrx

I remmber the manual saying not to shift into first at a speed of twenty miles per hour or higher but I could be wrong. I always get significantly under twenty before I downshift.

Winfree

One of the things I really appreciate about this car is that you can go at posted speeds in the lower gears without lugging the engine - I have not tried to downshift any lower than 3rd gear at speed, with the paddles, but the automatic transmission has done some rather odd shifts into lower gears when pushing steep grades that seemed to work beautifully.

RX8Carnage

Got my letter today here's hoping for the best

Shiyi Xia

iTrader: (5)

SHould I take my AEM intake off before i take it in?

zenmoused

Hey all, just dropped off my car today (the dealer said I'm the first 8 to have scheduled for recall work at their location). Between my marbles in a blender, lack of power, and not being to downshift into second, they definitely have their work cut out for them. I'll let you guys know the result!

zenmoused

I asked the same question. My dealer said leaving the AEM on is fine. That's good news to me cause it took me 3 hours to get that thing on!

devious12

I didn't mark my core, but I know they put a different engine in because I saw the new or reman. one in the back and they showed it to me after they opened it up. My engine was still in my car at this time.

turok4n64

i'm dropping my car off today in2 hours. I'll be the first at this dealer to get the engine taken care of. I hope I get a new one

KAtC10

2 questions:

1) Do you think they're gonna give me crap about using 5W30 Royal Purple oil and not the stock 5W20 non-synthetic?

2) Is my B&B exhaust going to make a difference? Should I take it off before going in?

Someone please let me know. Thanks!

devious12

1) Don't tell them **** about what oil you're using, tell them you are using the recommended

2) They might give you ****, but can't void your warranty unless they can prove that the part was the cause of the problem. I'd say, if you are cool with your dealer or tech/service manager then leave it, if not maybe you should think about putting the cat back on.

I wasn't cool with anyone when I brought it down there for other issues in the past, actually was fighting screaming back and forth with the service manager and they still could not void my warranty, he mentioned not doing the work because of the part, and I told him that he knows damn well that he can't void my warranty because of the part (which was B&B midpipe). They ended up doing the work anyway.

KAtC10

OK, cool. I'm a girl, so I can always play dumb when I need to.

The exhaust is only cat-back, so that shouldn't be an issue then. And I just won't say anything about the oil being used, and if they ask, I'll just tell them I take it someplace and I don't know what oil they put in it. Hehe.

Well I'll call today and make the appointment. Thanks for your help devious!

devious12

Oh I didn't know you were a girl, just go in smile and be cute you'll get what ever you want like you girls always do.

KAtC10

Haha. I've actually never had to use the "clueless girl" act, but I keep it on reserve just in case. I usually get people trying to screw me over cause they think I don't know any better. And then I have to argue with them and prove that I know more about what I'm talking about than they do.

Also, do you think it will give them a bad impression if I take it in with my 5-point harness in? Should I take it out so it doesn't look so obvious that I beat on it?

PhotoMunkey

What did you do to install a 5-point harness in your car? PM me some pics of that please! Thx!