Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

Adding Oil?

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 12:43 AM
  #1  
hot_RX8's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
Angry Adding Oil?

Hey are you guys adding engine oil every 3-4 days? I'm getting fed up with this task? This is my one gripe about this car! Should I use synthetic oil to reduce the frequency?
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 12:53 AM
  #2  
Lock & Load's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,535
Likes: 2
From: Gold Coast Australia
Talking

The oil should only be topped up every 1500-2000km if needed you should not be adding oil every 3-4 days .
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 12:54 AM
  #3  
RX-GR8's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 3
From: Cherry Hill, NJ
i have 600 miles on it and havent added oil yet.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 12:56 AM
  #4  
Kap's Avatar
Kap
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
I'm at almost 5000 miles with 2 oil changes, but have never needed to add oil once outside of an oil change.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 01:37 AM
  #5  
hot_RX8's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
continue

I have over 1500 miles on my car so now I can rev it to 8000 rpm. Not all the time. I have gotten the red engine light on several time. I had to pull over to a gas station, check the dip stip and it was "low". So I add a little oil to my car then the light went away. But then it came up again after 3-4 days. I remember the dealer telling me that I need to check the oil level regularly and ADD IN OIL AS NEEDED. I don't know it could be my car, but it's only 1 month old!
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 02:12 AM
  #6  
JeRKy 8 Owner's Avatar
Stuck in a love triangle
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,201
Likes: 3
From: Miami, FL
I think I am getting very close to low on my dipstickbut the light still has not come on. Should I addsome oil anyway or wait for the ligh?t
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 02:45 AM
  #7  
mikeb's Avatar
100% Italian
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
From: orange,ca
I've got 5k and one oil change and never had to add oil
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 02:56 AM
  #8  
rxevolve10's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Keep the oil at the full mark, but not over. Keep a quart in your trunk and when you fill up on gas check the oil after the car has sat for 2-3 minutes. If it is low fill until the full mark.

I do not recommend letting the oil light come on or even the dipstick all the way on low, that usually is not good.

Last edited by rxevolve10; Oct 10, 2003 at 03:00 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 07:23 AM
  #9  
Elara's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,447
Likes: 0
Re: continue

Originally posted by hot_RX8
I have over 1500 miles on my car so now I can rev it to 8000 rpm. Not all the time. I have gotten the red engine light on several time. I had to pull over to a gas station, check the dip stip and it was "low". So I add a little oil to my car then the light went away. But then it came up again after 3-4 days. I remember the dealer telling me that I need to check the oil level regularly and ADD IN OIL AS NEEDED. I don't know it could be my car, but it's only 1 month old!

Are you waiting five minutes to let the oil drain out of the engine? Because if you don't, it's going to show up as low every time. If you really are having to add oil every 3-4 days, your car has a serious problem and you need to take it to the dealer ASAP. I added a half quart at 2500, and at 3700, it's still full.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 07:38 AM
  #10  
RobDickinson's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 1
Sounds like you might need the new baffle'd oul pan and sensor installing.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 07:46 AM
  #11  
RCCAZ 1's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Not sure if the Renesis dipstick is the same as the stick in the 13B REWs, but when you get to the "low" mark on Gen 3s, you're actually nearly two quarts low. My advice would be to keep it at the full line or even slightly higher. It never hurts to overfill a rotary slightly, and I'd rather error a little on the side of fullness. Just my opinion!
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 08:34 AM
  #12  
wleonard's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: IN
Jerky....?

Come on now - really. The "full" indication mark of the dipstick is named that for a purpose - namely to indicate if your oil is full or not.

Please do not wait for your oil light to come on before you add oil. If your oil level is far down on the dipstick, then add some oil.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 08:57 AM
  #13  
f1michel's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Montreal
come on guys... it clearly says to check it every 500 miles wich is insane. the car will burn about a quart every 2500 miles so check it at 1250 and add some if it's low, don't get crazy about oil... my RX-7 used a quart every 1000 KM (600M) This car is sooooo much better and you will not run out of oil or fry your engine if it get to the "low" indicator.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 10:38 AM
  #14  
rxeightr's Avatar
M0D Squad -charter member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
I agree with Elara.
If you are having to add oil every 3-4 days, you have a problem.
Get it back to the dealer now.

Changed my own oil at 2,000 miles, and did not have to add any in-between. I am at 4,200 miles now, and have added 1/2 quart.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 10:41 AM
  #15  
Reeko's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Sounds like the Oil Baffle Problem

Known issue that causes the oil sensor to light.
You really should not be adding oil.
Also sounds like you are not letting the oil level settle (checking right after stopping). You should let it sit for 5 minutes before checking the level.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 11:41 AM
  #16  
Senseny's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Phila suburbs
The question no one answered is the one about synthetic oil, I have always been under the impression that synthetic is not good for a rotary. The rotary is designed to consume some small amounts of oil, which is why we are supposed to check the oil every other fillup. Synthetic oil does not get consumed (burned I suppose would be a better word), therefore not good for the rotary. Please correct me if I am wrong.
After 650 miles the dipstick read about 3/4 full. I will probably add to the fill point next week. But I figured that was about 1/4 of a quart consumed--not alarming.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 12:08 PM
  #17  
allstate's Avatar
Contents Extremely Hot
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Ft Worth, TX
Negative on synthetic. It's more expensive and not necessary. I added 3/4 of a quart at 1,700 and 3,800 mi.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 12:48 PM
  #18  
O.R.A.'s Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: GA
Maybe this person drives a lot every day?
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 01:41 PM
  #19  
jdl's Avatar
jdl
just jd.
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, California
Originally posted by Senseny
[...]Synthetic oil does not get consumed (burned I suppose would be a better word), therefore not good for the rotary. Please correct me if I am wrong.
*sigh*
After 650 miles the dipstick read about 3/4 full. I will probably add to the fill point next week. But I figured that was about 1/4 of a quart consumed--not alarming.
The manual says the low-high marks represent approximately 1.8 (US) quarts, so you were closer to being 1/2 quart low at that time.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 10:05 PM
  #20  
KKMmaniac's Avatar
VW coulda had it...
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
From: Crystal, Minnesota
I agree with the above. You shouldn't have to add oil every 3 or 4 days, (unless you are driving 500 miles daily) so my advice would be first to check oil (using the procedure Elara suggested) and add to the full mark, (give the oil you added 5 minutes or so to drain into the pan before checking again) and take it from there; check it daily if you're worried.

But don't feel you have to wait until it gets to the low mark before adding! I tend to be a bit err, uhhh, ****, so I check mine about every 4 days and top it off to the full mark. (I don't believe in overfilling either)

Did you check for evidence of an oil leak anywhere? I'm using about a quart every 2000 mi. and I'm not sure that is the "normal" amount. (my '85 RX7 uses about that much, but I don't drive it as hard either)
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2003 | 10:54 PM
  #21  
Rick's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Richland WA
I read on another rotary forum that the oil (oil coolers)helps cool the engine. That is a good enough reason to keep it full.
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2003 | 08:42 AM
  #22  
RCCAZ 1's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Driving habits also have alot to do with oil consumption. If he's on the throttle alot and runs the car near redline a higher percentage of the time it will use more oil as well.
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2003 | 09:29 AM
  #23  
VelocityRedRX8's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
IIRC the difference between the 'low' and 'full' marks is about 1.8 quarts. So, try to keep it near the full mark, and check after letting it sit for 5 minutes or so. I have almost 600 miles on mine and it is still very close to 'full'. Also, I don't have a lot of soot on the rear end, only on the tailpipes.

Are you getting lots of soot on the rear end?
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2003 | 06:54 PM
  #24  
mikeb's Avatar
100% Italian
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
From: orange,ca
endless amounts of soot on mine
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2003 | 12:37 PM
  #25  
dawurst's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
I have used one full quart at 2,700 miles...added approx 3 times when the low oil light illuminated at 80+ mph.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:39 AM.