Hi

I recently got a new engine for my 2004 RX-8.
Everything was done at a certified Mazda dealer here in Europe and the engine came with 3 year/100 000 km warranty.

The new engine is "factory new" a phrase which seemingly means (I think) a engine that Mazda has refurbished. (IE. it's not new from Japan, but Mazda has put it together and tested it to specks and thus also give you a (standard EU) guarantee with it.

But, now I wonder, do they (can they) put a series II engine in a 2004 RX8?

How can I check if my new engine is a 2004 one or a series II engine?

Kind regards

 

they cannot, it is a S1 engine, reman

where is your oil filter?

 

It's easy actually. If they didn't replace LOTS of stuff, including the ECU, OMP system, wiring harness, etc... then you still have a Series 1 engine (2004-2008 all identical). There are not a direct swap and it's quite expensive. No reason a dealer will do that.


here are no actual new engines any more from Japan, but there is a chance you got one that has been sitting somewhere in the EU. More likely that you just have a reman, which is of lower quality than original factory new.

 

You really think so?

What's surprised me is my original engine consistently averaged around 18 mpg during my normal commute, even when brand new. My replacement engine is averaging 20-21 mpg over the same commute, same driving style.

I know I have mostly used parts now, but darn they seem to work awfully well, lol.

 

It's a matter of averages. The factory engines had their bad apples too of course. Every engine being built by hand is going to get a level of variation in it. The average reman won't last as long as the average factory engine, simply because it's using used parts and isn't built by the same team of dedicated engine builders in Japan. More variances means a lower average quality.

Exceptions are always possible to any rule


Chatting with Mazda now about my reman only lasting 10,400, and whether they will honor the 12k service warranty or not (past 100k and dealers disagree with each other on if the service warranty applies)

 

Mazda Japan does not pay for a Series 2 install in any market by a Mazda Dealer, and is ludicrous to suggest they would when you investigate all the extra parts that must be renewed to work as the factory intended.

If you own a 2004-2008 MY then you get a Series 1.

 

Ok, thanks. =)

I was a bit un-sure, because I am currently selling the car, and some dude asked if the new engine was one of the newer ones from the latest Rx-8 series and I got a bit confused.

Thanks again for clarifying.