I am guessing this can't be good. I just bought a used RX-8 yesterday. I checked the oil today and found small particles on the tip of the dipstick. If I rub it in between my fingers i can feel the particles. I get particles on the tip each time i put the dipstick in and pull it back out. I am guessing they accumulate on the tip of the dipstick due to gravity not cause of the depth of putting the stick in the engine. This is my first Renesis engine, but I am pretty sure this is not a good sign.

I am certainly going to the dealer tomorrow first thing in the morning. I bought it from a Toyota dealership, but I am debating on taking it to the Mazda dealership 2 blocks from my house or taking it back to the place I bought it.

Any suggestions or comments on the best way to handle this would be appreciated. I am thinking of demanding a new engine. Anyone else think that is a fair demand? Car has 14,400 miles on it and a clean carfax report. (for what that is worth)

Thanks,
Go Mifune

 

Your not going to get a new engine. You may be able to return the car.

The oil needs to be changed If it bothers you that much then get a different used RX 8.

What color is the oil?

 

Get the engine very warm, drain the oil and send a sample to Blackstone Labs for analysis. Go to their web site and request some sample bottles first. Follow their instructions for sample collection and send it off to them. They are very responsive and will e-mail/snail mail you a report. Only way to tell what's going on in your engine and to get authoratative ammunition for going after the seller.

 

Is it carbon? If it is its not unheard of to have a little build up on the side paltes from over babying that the oil seals will scrape off during the next high rpm run. If it is carbon and not little metal bits, change the oil, drive it like you stole it for a few days, change it again then check for any more over the next few days, if your really worried about it that is. If not just change it and dont worry too much. If it is metal bits, returning the car would probably be a good idea but this is highly unlikely.

 

The oil doesn't look fresh, but it isn't black and nasty either.

Thanks for the suggestions I appreciate it.

Thanks,
GoMifune

 

I think you are on the right track. It looks like it is probably carbon. Just little black flakes of junk. The dealership changed the oil again. Even after that the oil was still a little darker than we had expected. So I am going to drive it a few more days and keep an eye on it.


Thanks all for the comments

 

Remember that an oil change doesn't get all the old oil out. There is oil in the oil coolers that don't drain out during the change so you have a mix of new and old oil. So even after an oil change, the oil will still look dark from the old oil. That's normal for this car.

 

is it a 4speed auto?

 

yeah oil change only gets about 2/3 of the oil out. there's still a good 1 1/2 or 2 quarts in there.

 

Yes it is a 4 speed AT.

 

Heat engine up, Drain oil,
Put new oil in Heat car up, drain oil,
Put new oil in and get a magnetic tipped oil plug.

also get a good oil filter (OEM)....the oil filter should get all the particles removed from the oil.

 

You don't need a magnet. We don't have metal on metal like piston engines.

 

its carbon- where are you located?

 

what is the build date? and just for fun your location????

beers

 

Build date 7/2/2004 and I am in Jefferson City, MO.

Changed the oil and I am gonna give it some decent high RPM runs and change the oil again in a few weeks.

 

just a hint... jack up the side that the oil cooler is on. and let the oil drain in that positon first.... then raise the other side of the car and let it finish draining...

this will get most of the oil out of the oil cooler... note you will have to add more oil on the refill..

beers

 

interesting... mine only says the month and year..

beers

 

I got the exact day off a service log print out that mazda service gave me.

Thanks again for the advice.