vegas RX8

So I took my titanium grey in to get checked out since I've still been hearing a noise that I can only describe as a "flapping" noise when stepping on the accel. at around the 5500 rpm range. During this flapping about half the power is lost, once it gets to around 6000 rpm the power returns. Following the noise, the car shakes noticeably when idle and is hesitant off the line. This has been occuring 1 to 2 times a week off and on for the last 8 months or so (local dealer new about it since then). For the last 2 weeks the temperature gauge was also fluctuating quite a bit (which had never happened before). Granted I live in Las Vegas and temps have been around 105-115 but it's not like it's the first summer I've owned it. Dealer checks it out, of course they ask about the octane I use which is 91 since day 1, and then I got the call that it needs a new engine. I didn't get the specifics yet as to what exactly was the cause/issue but I will ask this week. Since it was Friday afternoon I had to run around to get a rental which Mazda is paying for. I'll be riding in a Chevy Impala for the next 2 weeks. Let me know if anyone else has had this problem or has had the engine replaced. I'm just glad Mazda is willing to fix the issue and hopefully my RX8 will run smooth again and to its full potential. I'll keep updating as I get more info in case anyone is interested.

vegas.

sstricker

interesting... for the last several months, i've been noticing this as well.... it doesnt happen often, maybe once a week, but it did it again last night. just as you said, i started hearing and feeling it around 5000-5500 rpm... there is a distinct power loss and power does return around 6000... i havent had any clue as to what this was because it only lasts for a few minutes at a time... i initially thought that i had gotten ahold of some bad gas but now i'm unsure. keep us posted on what happens and i hope that i dont have to have my engine replaced......

Dookie_Rx-8

sounds like you need a new engine too....

vegas RX8

SSTRICKER - Those are exactly the symptoms that I've been having. I would also get the "bad gas" ideas but it just kept happening and happening. I would suggest talking to your dealership about it. That way they can try and reproduce it, my dealership tried a while back and couldn't do it. I'll ask the service guy on Monday, he's pretty cool so hopefully he can explain in some detail what it is that they found this time.

vegas.

The_Pendragon

This would be a perfect opportunity to go for a 20b! Come on, you know you want to.

sstricker

talked to my dealer this morning and, to my surprise, they have treated a few 8's with this problem... they told me that it is carbon build up. they can treat it by doing their fuel system cleaning thingy..... he also called it "spark knock"?? im gonna wait a few weeks and see if it gets any worse... then have them fix it... oh well... he also said that they have not had to replace an engine.

zoom44

there are thousands of posts on thi sissue since it first turned up last year. ther eare a least 2 current threads related. one is called "who is a part of the new engine club"

i dont havce time to find the pertinent threads for you but look through my posts over the last month using search terms for "vegas" "lubbock" and new engine etc. youll find wher ei posted links to the variuous threads. you are among about 250 rx-8 owners ove rthe last 2 summers to have this issue. you are among roughly 25-30 currently in vegas waiting for engines. id be suprised if you arent in an automatic but there have been a small percentage of the total that were manuals.

vegas RX8

Holy crap! Thanks for the info Zoom44. I'll search the threads and read up. vegas.

zoom44

god my typing is just horrendous

Mikeluvs8

what kinda of flapping sound you guys hear?

Spok

I've got a 2004 also, manufacture date Aug 2003. At 10,500 miles, I got a "new" engine too. The problem I had was a very slow coolant leak at the front of the engine, just under the intake manifold where the front plate joins the rotor housing. This particular problem is known by Mazda to occur with units built between Aug and Sep 2003. (I think that's the range but you can check it out for sure on this web site.)

Are you getting a really new engine or a remanufactured engine? The one I got was a remanufactured unit. However, it's been running really well for 10,000 miles now and the master machanic at the dealership did a really great job.

One tip I'd recommend: Follow the breakin instructions in your manual. After breakin, don't stress your engine until it's been indicating normal operating temperature for about 5 minutes. That means no high rpms; nothing more than about 5K. And no hard acceleration. Once the engine is fully warmed up and all the parts are "holding hands" properly, you can play.

I hope this helps and doesn't throw too much of a wet blanket on you.

vegas RX8

Mikeluvs8 - If you search the issue like Zoom44 recommended above you'll find some good threads that really go into detail regarding the symptoms that many people on the forum have been experiencing. That said, the flapping noise I hear sounds like the engine isn't getting enough oil or too much gas (My non-car guy opinion, especially non-rotary car guy opinion). While the noise is happening (around 5500 rpm) the power/acceleration is horrible until you reach the 6k rpm range and the power returns and the noise stops.

Spok - As far as I know and have been told it'll be a brand new engine. The service tech said it would be ordered from Japan brand new so we'll see. As long as the car returns to it's true form I'll be happy. I'll definitely baby it once again just like when I first got in Oct. of 2003. Thanks for your advice.

vegas.

zoom44

vegas it will most likely be a reman.

vegas RX8

Yes, as I've been reading all the other posts on this subject I'm expecting it to be a reman. Which is fine by me, I love my 8 and as long as Mazda works with me to try and fix the issues then I'll be happy.

vegas.

Mikeluvs8

how many miles do you have? what dealer ship are you dealing with?

vegas RX8

33,000 miles & it's Peoples Mazda. vegas.

Nick Alvarado

let me tell you...had the same problem with the coolant leak on my 2004 with 3800 miles...got what I thought was going to be a new engine...but once it was in the matter of factly mentioned it was reman....so there you go make the point before they install...after it will be tooo late. Good luck.

zoom44

it will be a reman ther eis no ifs and or buts about it

Arky8

Well, I have had basically the same symptoms with my 8 as vegas, and I should be getting my car back today or tommorrow with a new engine. Took about 10 trips to the dealer, sending off the ECM to MNA to be reprogrammed, new plugs, battery, countless reflashes before MNA agreed to replace the engine. I hope this ends my ordeal with stalls and noise, but only time will tell.

Kevo

...in the same boat...rough idle (at the brink of stalling when at a stop), major loss of power around 4500-5000 rpm along with pop/clicking noise and driving up shallow inclines....could not get the car above 90mph due to loss of compression. my dealer has been really good about it. here is how it was explained to me...

...the engine is not getting enough oil to keep the apex seals cooled and the apex seals are actually igniting the fuel prematurely instead of the spark plug...but since the momentum of the rotor is too much to overcome it continues forward making that distinctive pop/clicking sound....if you step on the gas it forces more oil into the engine eventually cooling the seals so they seat properly. clicking gone and power returns. this was going on for quite some time in my 8 before it was diagnosed....running with too little oil being supplied to the apex seals...the seals eventually cracked and compression loss got worse requiring replacement. at least this i show i understand it.

they are replacing the engine right now as i type...k

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Thats one of the problem that the newest, AKA "S" flash fix.

-Injecting more oil to prevent immature engine wear during Cruising.

Remember to ask your dealer to flash your PCM to the newest one, for 04, its "S" flash.

Kevo

yeah...he mentioned that new flash....thanks! k

slalom29

Yea, my engine went dead on saturday, rpm's stuttered and then car shut off while driving. I had been feeling power loss below 5500 all the time, and difficulty getting of the line without bogging out. Need new engine, mazda says seized motor. In argument about warranty coverage with mazda at the moment, even though i'm still in below milleage limit.

ArthurY

Seems like most (if not all) of the engines having this kind of problems are occurring in the hotter states and with auto transmission.

Do you guys clear your engines every once in a while with really high rpm driving? Or is your driving habits pretty docile?

DViOuS

i unfortunately had the same issue, 2 weekends ago when the temperature was 90F+ in seattle. had the same problems as described here, but power loss was at a lower rpm, 60mph on 4th or 5th gear going up a very small incline. had it over the 3 days it was really hot, but afterwards it didnt present itself after temperatures returned to sub-90F. took it into dealer, printed this thread (they ignored it ofcourse, grrr) but temperatures were not high enough to repro the issue so they flashed it to the latest - probably "S" flash and sent me on my way.

the only concern from here on out is if the engine will hold up after the warrantee is over, i'm sure i wont be able to repro the issue until another really hot day, but that probably means next years summer and by then warrantee is gone...

it is a lease car, i was thinkin of buyin the car after the lease ends, but i'm having 2nd thoughts now... i dont want to be left footing the bill to fix the issue...

btw, another rx8 also had the same problem at the same dealer (UMazda), they kept it for 2 days before i brought mine in and said they couldnt repro the issue on that one so far, apparently same weekend i had the problem...