My newest problem with my RX-8 is a chirping noise that it is making. I've only had the car for 4 months and its been at the dealership more than I've actually had it, I think (7 times).

It seems to start making this noise around 1500 RPM and it only chirps at lower speeds. After driving a while, the chirping turns into more of a knocking noise. If I stop, the car bounces around and feels like it is about to die. I also noticed it being underpowered (more than usual) when trying to merge onto the highway yesterday. Here is a video with the chirping noise. Any guesses?

Chirping

 

I see from the wheels it is an automatic correct? What year is the car? How many miles on it? It really doesnt sound good. Possible engine failure.

 

Its a 2004 Automatic with 32,000 miles on it. The video is actually pretty mild to compared to what you really hear when inside or beside the car.

 

Took the car in today. Their answer was that I am not red lining it enough so we'll see.

 

You using premium gas?

 

Always.

 

Do a search.. Someone just had the same issue and it was the alernator belt.

Another chirp comes from the intake. Do a search.

 

Do you have any CEL while car is doing that sound, and does the car vibrate?
Sounds like one of the spark plugs does not work correctly, but if it so, then your car should vibrate....

 

I used to get that exact same sound in the mornings driving to work before the car was warmed up. It happened around 2k rpm. No ill effects came from it.

I don't get it anymore though - I think it went away when I replaced my coils.

 

Update on my car and it's pretty little chirping noise - I'm getting a new engine.

The chirping/knocking noise started getting louder in the past couple of weeks and I had it die twice at redlights (people are NOT nice when that happens, btw). I took it in last week and it actually cut off in their parking lot behind the line of the new 8s The salesman had to push me to the service dept. They called the next morning to let me know that they had talked to Mazda and a new engine would be on its way.

They put me in a rental for the week - 07 Mazda 3 - I really miss my car.

They said "new" engine. Does that really mean new or are they going to give me a remanufactured one that will die again in 3000 miles?

Missy

 

It more then likely will be a Re-Man engine. Please give us all the history on your car, Oil&change intervals, gas, Flooding, TSB's, type of driving, easy or aggresive, comuter, when did you first notice this, symtoms. Anything you can think of.

 

Well, like I said - I have only had the car for 6 months (04 automatic). From the service records, the previous owner had all of the recalls done and timely oil changes (they dealt with the same dealer that I use). They had a problem with the radio and one listing that just says "engine work". I don't know anything about their driving patterns.

I've driven the car around 4000 miles since I've had it. 2 oil changes, never flooded it. I've had the heater, the throttle body (CEL came on), and the engine mounts replaced.

I'm not really an aggressive driver on the car - my boyfriend is a little worse. I try to redline it at least once a day. Most of the time I only drive it back and forth to work (less than a mile from my house).

The car has seemed sketchy since I first bought it. It will lose power, vibrate, and randomly cut off. Other times - it runs perfectly. I think the dealer was beginning to think I was crazy until they actually experienced it cutting off in their parking lot.


Missy

 

Damn.......sorry about that kiddo. Hopefully the "new?" engine will do you right.


Dave

 

When you get your new engine be sure to specifically ask if they replaced the ignition coils and visually looked inside the catalytic converter to see if it was plugged. It seems like this is a common coincidence that these items go bad at the same time.

 

Wow. I just listened to that MOV and that motor sounded like crap!

 

Thanks for the tip! I will do that.

 

And that's been 2 months ago! It has gotten worse.

 

It is extremly hard on a car that does very short drives like yours. Go with the shorter interval for your service needs. It will have more carbon build up and moisture in the engine.

 

Wow, does the engine even warm up to operating temp in less than a mile's journey to work?

I get the same sounds but at idle. My engine mounts have just been replaced but the chriping persists.

 

Grrr....900 miles on the new engine and the "check engine" light comes on today. No weird noises or anything, but who knows what this is about.