I may be joining the 3rd engine club!
 

I own a 2004 Auto RX-8. Just got back my RX with a new engine to fix a severe power loss at high ambient temps. On the way home I heard a barely audible rattle/buzz when accelerating past 2,000 to 3,000 rpm. Tonight I drove around the neighborhood to break-in the engine a bit and the buzzing got louder and persisted between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm at low speeds around 30-40 mph. The engine got rougher and seemed to lug. Then within 20 minutes the engine died THREE times. Now I have a CEL light.

Back to the dealer. I hope it's a faulty installation and requires only a quick fix, but what is the probability I need a new engine?

Good news. My second engine is okay. It had a mis-adjusted crankshaft position indicator or something like that. I'm not a member of the three engine club!

Yet!

And I hope your not.

contact MM about the rebuilt engine. You probably will need his service sometime at Paradox.

You pluging them?

I spoke too soon. The next day (wednesday Oct 3) , after the alleged fix of the "mis-adjusted crankshaft position indicator" the power loss returned. It's now in the shop for alleged "oxygen sensors" problem. Mazda service claimed the sensors are back ordered and won't be delivered until Tuesday. I'm suspicious they are stalling, hoping the predicted cooler weather next week will "solve" the problem temporarily, until next summer. I am getting paranoid enough to think that Mazda is hoping I will give up and accept a power loss.

From reading this an other RX-8 related forums this may become a crisis for Mazda. It's possible that all RX-8 run in hot weather (above 80 degrees) will need a new engine eventually, and some owners will end up with five or more engines.

I wrote Mazda an e-mail early last week inquiring about a buyback or extension of the warrenty beyond 5 years/ 60,000 mi. So far, no answer, and I suspect none will be forthcoming.

I suspect Mazda is working on the problem and is stalling until they find a workable solution. If no solution is forthcoming this will be a disaster, since they won't be able to cover it up for much longer.

The only way I can protect my money invested in my RX-8 is to buy an extended warrantee next year and keep on changing engines until my RX-8 depreciates to an acceptable level. However there is a danger factor here. I stalled on a freeway on ramp and could have been rear-ended. On another forum a woman claimed her son was injured when his RX-8 stalled while making a left turn.

Lets hope you don't have to join the club. I'm all ready a member. I just got my 3rd engine.