Annoying noise
 

I have noticed a new sound in my engine after breaking it in. It is hard to notice in 1st or 2nd, but easy to hear when in 3rd 4th and up. If I step on the gas hard while in the lower rev range (1k - 3k), I hear a slight bearing/grinding/vibration type sound. It is definitely coming from the transmission only when accelerating. If I rev at that same range with the clutch in, it doesn't do it. If I have it in gear, and I am decellerating, it is also not there. Does anyone else experience this?

Good lord! Stop lugging the engine!

Well, I let the RX-8 do all the hauling of it's own parts.

What does that mean? Is it bad to drive @ 2k rpm?

ok, ok, i did some searches on "lugging" and I don't believe that I am doing that at all... I never allow the engine to "shudder". It is always smooth. I have been trying to NOT make the sound, cause it can't be good, but in some gears certain speeds, it is unavoidable.

I think the internet creates new car paranoids.

thanks to "Magnesium" and "OrangeBingo" I am seriously questioning why I bothered to post my concerns at all. If you have any more snide comments, please keep them to yourself. I am looking for information, not a hard time.


Jerks.

Sorry man, but you seriously should not be in the 1-3k rev range unless you are starting from a dead stop. With a piston engine I always try to keep the rpms above 2k. With a rotary one would expect that keeping the revs above 3k is a good idea.

Cylo: It hurts when I do this
OrangeBingo: Then don't do it.

Thanks for the explanation, and I take back my insult. Sorry. I will make a new habit of driving like you describe.

play nice boys (OB, Mag)

he's asking about what might be happening, rather than just people critiquing his driving style.

he DID say that he's trying to avoid it, and i'm sure Cylo is doing what he can to deminish the effects of whatever might be happening.

keep contributions positive, please.

OK, I'll ask, WTF is "Pwn3D 8i3 D4 w4N|<3L"?

What is happening (as you well know) is that his driving style is asking a 1.3L engine to pull around a 3000lb car at an rpm where said engine is making very little power. That is bound to cause some vibrations. And though my reply may not have consisted of suger and spice I don't believe that there was much in the way of hostility (until now eh?).

I have now removed my subscription to this topic. Let the flames and spam BEGIN! Muahahahahahahaaaaahhhaha...

Cylo = Troll?

While it may be too late to be read, driving at 1k rpm is not good. Driving at 2k isn't bad, just don't expect power there. If you're at 2k and need to accelerate, you're best off to downshift, that'll put you at 3 or 4k and then accelerate from there.

I just remembered that if you shift IAW the manual you'll shift just shy of 3k rpm, and that'll drop you down to ~2k rpm. So driving like that would have you in the 2k-3k range forever. Very dispiriting but harmless to the engine.

And how's your gas milage?

I keep the engine revs at 2-3k all the time and have no problems. In fact, as pointed out above, if you shift as per the manual you'll be in this same range. Go ahead and keep your car above 3k all the time, you can leave your secondary injectors on constantly and rip your fuel anus a new one if you so desire.

fwiw, from what it sounds like the 8 should definitely not be bogging at 2-3k rpm if driven right. But Cylo did say he punched the gas. Depending on the situation (ie, incline, extremely hot weather, A/C on/off) you will have to slip the gas more or less, but for instance, I probably wouldn't be punching it from a roll from 1k-2k rpms often on the renesis. Esp in 3rd and 4th gears with room for a downshift.

About the pistons at 2k, that's where I spend most of my time, lug-free, and I've just got a little japanese 3.0 :)

Uh, buddy? At 60mph in 6th gear you are cruising at 3K. You really think that mazda would make such standard use bad for the engine?

Same here, Yamaha 3.0L

jesus, perhaps I am being misunderstood. In my current car (3.0L V6) I do not let the rpms hang below 2K as it most certainly is not good for the engine. With the rev characteristics of the Renesis I would assume that the Revs should be kept between 2-3K. As I mentioned above, at 60mph in top gear the Renesis revs at a constant 3k. Cruising around in 3/4/5/6th gear at less than 2k IS BAD FOR THE ENGINE. And if you suddenly floor the accelerator at said rpms the engine will make noises of disapproval.

Well, in 3rd gear, at 3k rpm, the noise is still heard. Even if I only press the gas 1/2 way down.

Why do you say that? As an example, my car has a 3.2L flat six and I have it running 1800 RPM in 6th gear for most of my commute to work. It doesn't complain (isn't lugging) and in general the car is happy. If I press the gas it accelerates, though if I have to pass a downshift is called for...

Could it be pinging? or engine knock. Are yoy using
regular or Premium fuel? I thought I heard pinging on mine when
going up a steep grade @ 2,800 rpm.

Hmmm, well I am using 91 octane, but I have never heard pinging, what does it sound like?

Me too
 

Cylo,

I have that same noise you are talking about, it even happens when i am coasting in 4th gear. It seems to be comming from the front right of the car though. I just got back from the dealership where theyve had it all day and said they couldnt find anything wrong with it. They even told me to try a different brand of gas. I'm considering writing mazda usa, it is not my job to experiment and see what fixes the noise.

Is there an update to your situation?

-xrecar

Mine has this noise that sounds like a cross between a ping and a rattle when giving it very light throttle (to maintain speed) in most gears between 2-4K rpm. Comes from somewhere near the transmission but can't be sure as the engine is pretty near down there too. I took it to the dealer the first time and they also heard the sound but wanted to compare it to other 8s. Took it back a few weeks later and they said some had it and some didn't. Their final word was "It's normal".

So I will take advantage of the buy-back instead of storing it for the winter and find one in the spring that doesn't bother me with the sound.

interesting first post
I guess we'll hear from you in the spring