Just started yesterday, the car makes the raspy rattling sound under load above 3-4k rpm and loss of power. The sound matches an mp3 posted on another thread about this too. From my research here on the forum and talking to the dealer & BHR, sounds like it is highly likely low compression, aka engine blown, bad seals. 66k miles I was really hoping the renesis was going to have better longevity than the rx7 engines, but it doesn't appear so; lots of other people have had engines replaced. Also it seems Mazda has timed the 8yr/100k warranty well, mine expired recently. Gah!

So now, spend the $6k or whatever to have the dealer put in a new engine, spend $3-4k on an and engine and do it myself, risking screwing something up, or just throw in the towel and get a new mazdaspeed3? Decisions.....

 

i fell your pain.... 04 35K on the clock and my 8 has lost compression... sad... i really expected more... ( out of warranty too ) ..

 

Seems time for a 3-4 rotor engine upgrade.

 

Oh man, sorry to hear that.

 

CHARLES !!! come back to MI ..... We all rx8's owners need your shop here !!

 

damn, shitty thing to happen to one of our best ... I suspect Goodbox sales won't quite offset the costs of a new engine

I'm at 55k and about to upgrade injectors and nudge up my boost. I sure hope I get at least 10,000 miles out of it.

 

Early (04\05) engines tend to fail sooner because of a series of reasons (Early flashes with poor OMP rates etc mostly). Newer engines aren't bulletproof either and a remanufactured through mazda isn't worth the money if you have to pay for it.
The point is... our engine can be built to be reliable with a little monetary effort on top of the rebuild cost. Since you have BHR that close to you just leave the car there and go back after a while to pick it up with a huge smile.