smitht0789

I have a 2004 RX-8 and its a 6 speed manual, and last week all of a sudden started bogging out when i gave it gas, kinda like i was starting off in higher gear. Also, the check engine light started flashing. The oil and everything i checked was fine, so instead of driving it, i just had it towed to the shop. I bought this car with 54,000 miles, and now it has 73,000 miles. It has already had 2 engines replaced before i owned it. The second engine was put in at 15K miles, and the third engine put in at 45K miles. So my new engine only has 28K miles on it, and its already messing up again? I have taken it to 2 auto repair shops, and nobody knows whats wrong with it. They seem to think it has no compression?? So anyone know whats going on?? And do you think Mazda would replace it, considering it will be the 4th engine..and it only has 28K miles on it...??

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Get a compression test....and then you can tell.

A lot of low power problems seem to be ignition related...check your coils and plugs

Pull the codes from the PCM....and you will have a better idea as well

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

^^^ great advice.

Compression test will tell you if the engine is failing.
Coils / wires / plugs seem to be the culprit in a lot of cars. Easy fix.

Also, have them look at the cat. If it's clogged, you'll get shitty performance

New Yorker

Wow, what horrible luck! Mine continues to run like a top. But hey, I guess bad things sometimes happen—even to cars as good as the RX-8. (Two weeks ago someone stole my laptop at a Starbucks. What are the odds???)

fugg

holy damn. 2 engines already?

please keep us updated on your car.

SilverHokie

iTrader: (1)

Man...there is something about 04's. Surprised they gave you two crappy engines though...hmm.

And this is from a Sunlight Silver owner (cue the scary Halloween music)

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Early Rebuilds from Mazda suck ***. This is what happens when you try to cut corners, it will bite you back and cost you even more.

For Example : Early Remans, Clutch Bracket, Rear Light Gasket .... etc.

smitht0789

Thanks for everything everyone..i will be taking it to the Mazda Dealer next week to get it checked out, and i will have them check the coils/wires/plugs and as well do a compression test!! I will keep everyone updated.

yoshistoned

yeah man this engine thing sucks. I read in many places online various published sources that Mazda had issued a recall on all engines which fails a compression test. Supposedly, they will replace any 2004-2005 RX8 engine if a compression test on then indicates the engine failing, even after the powertrain warranty has expired. 2 Engines already? That is very discouraging. Hopefully what I read about the recall is accurate because I am in a similar situation and likely going to need a new engine. Good luck.

Razz1

ah.. the best bet is to have it rebuilt your self.

It would be nice to negotiate a price that mazda would re-inburse you for your rebuilt engine.

Of course there would not be a warrenty, but you wouldn't need it as the motor would be rebuilt correctly.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

I would NOT recommend people start trying to rebuild these on their own without proper knowledge and tools.

smitht0789

Ya man, that will be SWEEETTT if mazda will replace the engine due to the failed compression test. I think they should have too, especially considering this will be the 4th engine in my car!!!!!!! Thanks for all of your comments!

rx808boi

smitht0789- Thanks for bringing up this thread dude I was just about make something just like it. Tonight I had the same problem again even though I switch the ign wires around because I had it wrong way in the first place. My car has the same reaction as smitht0789's 8. Tonight was pretty bad though because my exhaust temp went off the roof and my exhaust system melted my bumper due to the cat(im guessing) being clogged from all the extra fuel that built up causing deposits(problem that ignition can't keep up with the amount of fuel purging in due to the e-manage ultimate.) Im hoping I didnt blow apex seals because I dont have the time and money for that. Im bringing my car home tomorrow because I had to leave it at my sister's house. Im going to take out the cat and see the damage from there Im probaly going to gut out the stock cat or have one of the local welding shops weld me a custom 3" deleted cat midpipe(the only problem is that I dont have my boost controller yet so if anything I would have to wait because I dont want my turbo to overboost.)

smitht0789

Hey everyone, thanks for all your comments and concerns. I had my RX towed to Mazda Dealer the other day, and they immediately found out that it was the ignition wires, plugs, and coils! So thats good, and its still gonna cost around $800 for the repairs and labor. Which is alott better than a brand new engine! Just keeping you all updated, Tyler.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

You drove it with the ignition wires switched around and you are wondering what is wrong with the car now?
The engine will not survive even one foray into load with the wires switched.

I can't even begin to address the rest of that post.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Yes, which is the same thing as advancing the trailing ignition. Having it fire in, effectively, negative split under load would be very, very bad.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Negative split is safe in light cruise and idle. I use it in my tuning to enhance throttle response and high-vacuum economy.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Its a whole discipline unto itself.