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6th gear grind

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Old 09-21-2008, 12:06 AM
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6th gear grind

So I did some searching but didn't really find anything relevant to this.

Whenever I try to shift into 6th, from any gear including 5th, it'll grind and then pop into 6th.

However, if I hold the clutch down fully and let go of the throttle and wait for the engine to idle and wait another few seconds, and then put it into 6th, it'll happily do it without grinding.

Also, after it grinds once, and I shift into 5th and 6th repeatedly, it won't do it again until I shift down to 4th, clutch out, and then try getting back onto 6th.


I'm probably going to take it to the dealership but I kinda wanted to see if anyone had any ideas so that when I go they don't try to feed me some potential BS about having to pay X, Y, and Z.

It's a 2009 model also, 700 miles.

Thanks
Old 09-21-2008, 01:17 AM
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That is weird, your syncros are having trouble or something. Usually 234 wear out though and not 5 and 6. Either way in the mean time just double clutch. So put the clutch in, take it out of gear, let the clutch out, put the clutch back in and then rev then go for your gear and at the same time rev the engine to the rpm that it would be at if you put the car in gear and let out the clutch.

but yeah take it to the dealer, you shouldn't have to pay a dime, it is kind of hard to blame you for f#@$@# with 5th and 6th anyways.

Also after about 2,000 mi on the new transmission you want to change out the fluid (it will be dirty), a lot of the people here use RedLine snythetic 75W90 GL-4, works great.

Congrats on the new car, have you posted any pics?

Last edited by fahrfegneugen; 09-21-2008 at 01:20 AM.
Old 09-21-2008, 07:45 AM
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Thanks, good advice, I'll practice double shifting today and see if it changes anything.

I hope that the dealership won't take too long to fix w/e the problem is.. >.<


Pics are here:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...26#post2639526
Old 09-21-2008, 11:34 AM
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Damn that is a nice car I wish mine had been brand new.

Going to drop it off on monday?
Old 09-21-2008, 03:31 PM
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Thanks, there's a guy a block from where I live with a red 08 Sport.. his has a buncha dings on the body and stuff though.. shame

I'll go by tomorrow.. only problem is that I only get an hour for lunch and if they can't fix it then I'm a bit screwed in terms of transportation since they're only open on weekdays for w/e stupid reason.. bleh..

Also, the double clutching works every so often, though sometimes it'll still grind even if I'm real slow and tender with it.. it's rather annoying
Old 09-21-2008, 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by DarkLord7854
Thanks, there's a guy a block from where I live with a red 08 Sport.. his has a buncha dings on the body and stuff though.. shame

I'll go by tomorrow.. only problem is that I only get an hour for lunch and if they can't fix it then I'm a bit screwed in terms of transportation since they're only open on weekdays for w/e stupid reason.. bleh..

Also, the double clutching works every so often, though sometimes it'll still grind even if I'm real slow and tender with it.. it's rather annoying
yeah it is tough, and timing is part of it too, not too fast not too slow, but bad syncros (if it is that) will fowl you up no matter what it seems sometimes. You can drop the car off and get a loaner for it, that is in your warranty.
Old 09-21-2008, 03:56 PM
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the mating synchro/slider mechanism and possibly the gear need to be replaced
Old 09-21-2008, 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by fahrfegneugen
yeah it is tough, and timing is part of it too, not too fast not too slow, but bad syncros (if it is that) will fowl you up no matter what it seems sometimes. You can drop the car off and get a loaner for it, that is in your warranty.
Originally Posted by TeamRX8
the mating synchro/slider mechanism and possibly the gear need to be replaced

That's kinda what I'm afraid of.. I had my dad drive it, he's driven manuals for 20 years, and it grinded a few times when he tried shifting into 6th in a variety of different manners..

I'm also rather miffed at how crappy 6th gear is.. I shifted from 5th to 6th at 137mph.. and even with the pedal flat it wouldn't get past 140, even tried turning A/C off.. I thought the RX8 could go up to 160 =\
Old 09-21-2008, 10:30 PM
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yeah your 6th gear is a little more econo than the old cars, but dont drive it soo hard yet, you have to break the motor in

You have some *****, I gave up at 128
Old 09-21-2008, 10:42 PM
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Well.. I didn't buy an RX8 to baby it along at 35mph all the time :P

I'm going to assume that once I pass the 3K mark, and I still can't achieve faster than 140mph.. I'll have to look into modifying the engine aye?


6th gear seems really pointless honestly.. it only cuts what.. 1k RPMs compared to 5th and seems to make the engine struggle to accelerate? >.>
Old 09-22-2008, 02:22 PM
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^The reason for 6th is to save gas for the most part.

If you really want speed, put a turbo on it. I don't know of any public road worth driving 140 on, but if you have some nice places
Old 09-22-2008, 03:31 PM
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Aren't our cars rev limited to around 140?
Old 09-22-2008, 05:32 PM
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Ah.. that's what I figured.. prolly in 6 months or so then I'll start upgrading the car

Made an appointment with dealership, dropping it off tomorrow, sucks to already have to bring it in for repair when it doesn't even have a thousand miles.. bleh

Thanks guys
Old 09-22-2008, 07:43 PM
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Q. How do I break in the rotary engine?

A. There are a number of suggested methods for breaking in a new rotary engine. Three techniques have been compiled:


Method #1 (from Mazda manual)

- First 600 miles: Drive at varying speeds road and engine speeds; avoid full throttle, rapid acceleration or kick-down of transmission. Do not use special “break-in” oils.



Method #2 (from Racing Beat)
- For the first 1000 miles (1609km) do not accelerate under full throttle, and do not exceed 4000 RPM.
- For miles 1000-2000 (3218km), expand the RPM upwards - but do not accelerate at full throttle.
- Over 2000 miles (3218km), full throttle and high RPM is acceptable.

Method #3 (Mazda manual + Japanese Rotary Mechanic’s Procedure)
- 0-600 miles (965.4km) Follow the Manual, but keep it under 4000 RPM
- 600-800 miles (1287.2km) Open it up a bit, vary accelerations and speed RPM < 5000
- 800-1000 miles Drive the car, enjoy it but still keep RPM < 6000
- 1000-1250 miles (2011km) Drive it as it's power curve intended it to be RPM < 7000
- 1250-1500 miles (2413.5km) Test the car frequently from RPM 6000-9000 in every gear


I am not trying to be a jerk or a smart ***, I was curious myself, just wanted to post this what kind of mods are you thinking of?
Old 09-22-2008, 08:44 PM
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Unfortunately, this being my first time with a manual, I have a tendency to go near the 5-6k every so often, with that one time burst to 140mph.. otherwise I try to keep it at 3k for fuel economy and so I can get a feel of what the distance is per bar on the fuel gauge.

I've been following method #1 somewhat loosely

Trying to be as careful with it as I can, though I sometimes accidentally drop the clutch too fast and car jerks forward, spinning rear wheels before TC kicks in and cuts the gas.



Right now, any mods I might do would be purely engine-based, not exactly sure where to start, I've never, till now, looked into cars so I'm still testing the waters per se.

I think my first step would be to start poking around the engine and see which part is what and how they're currently set up.

Afterwards it seems a turbo seems to be the general direction people take.. I'll need to be sure that any modifications I make can be reversed fairly easily in the event I need to take in to the dealer for repair so that the warranty doesn't get voided.

For now I'm concentrating on getting to 1,500 miles without a single ticket, accident, or problem (well, apart from this gearbox issue). :P
Old 09-22-2008, 09:19 PM
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holy crap, I missed the "only 700 miles" comment

get that beeotch into the dealer pronto ....
Old 09-22-2008, 09:25 PM
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i missed the "its an 09 model".. D;
Old 09-22-2008, 09:35 PM
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Taking it in first thing in the morning.

Might also have them check out first gear, sometimes it won't let me shift into it, and I have to shift into second or third and then go back into first for it to pop into place.. (this is with the clutch pushed down and being stopped).
Old 09-23-2008, 08:43 AM
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Well, dropped it off this morning, they did an initial check, they said it's either in need of new syncros.. or a new tranny. So yay. -.-

So much for them doing a "thorough check-up" of the car when delivering it to me.
Old 09-23-2008, 09:41 AM
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Wink

so what awas the verdict on the transmission problem? My 6 speed has been acting up lately with the same problem. Only it between 3rd and 4th gear. also you 8 should reach over 140. if you keep the fluids fresh and electrical ignition sources new then your 8 will run almost to 160. well mine does at least. but the car does need to be in top performance to be driving at that speed. I would not recommend it by any means.
Old 09-23-2008, 10:24 AM
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Still waiting to hear back from the dealership, I'm rather hoping it's an easy fix.

I've haven't been able to get to 150 even, might just be because it's new though
Old 09-23-2008, 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by DarkLord7854
Still waiting to hear back from the dealership, I'm rather hoping it's an easy fix.

I've haven't been able to get to 150 even, might just be because it's new though
the top speed is 148, at that point the car doesnt have enough power to overcome the air friction
Old 09-23-2008, 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by greg985
the top speed is 148, at that point the car doesnt have enough power to overcome the air friction

Ah ok, that's what I had concluded, thanks
Old 09-23-2008, 02:31 PM
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Ugh.. The tranny's shot, completely gone, syncros are busted and there's major damage to the gears apparently.

Mazda is sending a whole new tranny w/ gearbox and all.. ETA 3 weeks. They're refusing to let me take the car back in the meantime.. gah

They say it's a "factory defect."


This really sucks.

The car is drive-able, just not in 6th, and 1st is a bit wonky at times (hard to shift into sometimes). They heavily recommend me from taking it and driving it until the new transmission comes in, they suggest either a rental or carpool.. carpool isn't going to work, and public transport here is a joke.. I can get to work faster by walking then taking a bus.

So I guess rental it is (courtesy car).. I just heavily doubt they'll let me have one of the Sport model RX8s they got laying about.. would be nice though

Last edited by DarkLord7854; 09-23-2008 at 02:59 PM.
Old 09-23-2008, 05:25 PM
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Good luck getting another car in the meantime. Maybe you can get a speed 3 or CX7 turbo.

That really sucks to hear dude!


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