Im a newbie to the RX8. I bought my 04' RX8 Automatic GT in Oct 2009 from a private owner (a women in her 40's or 50's maybe) with 62,000 miles on it. I have some concerns about the car.

I have searched these forums but I cant find my exact problems, so I hope you guys can help me figure out why my car is doing what it's doing.

When I first got the car I used to turn it on and I used to leave it on P until the car was at operating temperature (it always took about 5 minutes). While on these forums I read that I don't have to let it warm up all the way to operating temperature and that it's ok to drive once my RPM dropped to 1,000 (but to drive it lightly as it warms up). I started doing this in December.

I thought my car always had a rough start, when I turn on the car I let the RPM drop to 1,000 before I put it on drive. When I put the car on D (while my foot is on the brake) it begins to shake/vibrate really hard. Also when I put it on D (while my foot is on the brake) there is a loud screeching/ squeaky sound coming from the car. This also happens when I'm at a red light or at a stop sign. Another thing thing that bothers me is when I barely start to drive the car. I drive it lightly in the beginning to warm it up, but when I reach 25 mph my car goes from 3rd to 4th and it begins to stutter for a little bit (like 5-8 seconds). It feels like my car wants to die or something when it stutters like this. I have no clue why my car is doing this, but I am very worried it will become a bigger problem, I love this car! I fill it up with 91 octane from 76 and I just changed the oil at jiffy lube last week if that helps.

So the problems I'm having are:
Rough idle and squeaky/screeching sound when starting the car and at red lights/stop signs.
Stuttering when I start to drive the car at 25 mph while going from 3rd to 4th (Automatic transmission)

thanks guys....

 

Rough Idle & Stuttering could be:
1) Ignition system (Spark Plugs, Ignition Coils, Wires) - This is the cheapest and easiest to replace
OR
2) Cracked Engine Mounts
OR
3) Bad engine. You have warranty on it until 100K miles, so you're still covered.

Squeaky sound could be:
1) Belts needing adjustment
OR
2) Alternator bearings going bad (I had this problem)

 

The squeaky/screeching sound could be something as simple as a loose belt. Pop the hood and push on the belts and see if they flex much(with the engine off of course).

 

try belt dressing

 

it could be your air pump for the screeching sound

 

Thanks guys for your responses, but are any of these covered under the engine warranty or any other warranty I'm not aware of? If not how much is it at the dealer? Do you guys recommend going to a regular mechanic or a Jiffy Lube to check it out?

I won't be able to do it on my own because I wouldn't know how.....

 

I wouldn't trust my car at a Jiffy Lube....

Take a look at the DIY section and save your money

 

Add 8 oz Marvel Mystery Oil to the next tank of gas and see if the idle/vibrations gets any better. The squeaking is most likely a belt. Look at all belts you can see and inspect for cracks and push on them to see if there is a lot of flex. A lot of flex and/or cracks is bad. If no cracks or minimal flex, try some belt dressing on whatever squeaks.

 

Where specifically do you mean to put the Marvel Mystery Oil?

 

8oz of MMO or any other suitable two stroke oil into the gas tank before you fill up. So, your down to 1/4 tank of gas, you go to the gas station, dump 8oz of premix into the tank, fill tzank with gas. MMO is just easy to find at auto parts stores. You could also use Lucas UCL, Amsoil Saber Pro, Idemitsu Premix(theres a group buy going on for about $50 a case) and so on.

 

Ok thanks, I usually fill up on friday nights so I'll try it out this week to see if it fixes the rough idle issues I'm having.

As far as the squeaky issue I'm having I took a look at the belts and they look almost new, no cracks or they don't flex much, they fit tight, but they look dry. Now I want to try and add the belt dressing to see if this solves the issue, I'm sure I can find this at Auto Zone but what brand of belt dressing do u guys recommend? And how do I apply the belt dressing? Do I just lube up all the belts or is there a certain way of doing this?

 

Any belt dressing will work fine. Just turn the car on, pop the hood, look for the squeak, aim and spray. You can spray all belts if you would like.

 

Hey guys sorry its been awhile since i been on this thing, but I just discovered that it's not the engine or under the hood where the squeaking is coming from. It's actually coming from the back tires/rear area. I really need help with this one because the forums don't have this one.....
thanks again guys...

 

get your rear differential gear oil changed. while you're at it get your Automatic Transmission serviced as well. Have someone check the rear brakes to see if the E-Brake is sticking.

 

don't listen to 99% of the people here, sheesh ...

 

Thanks for the info but quick Q....
What will the automatic transmission service be for? The rough idle, stuttering, or the squeaking?
Same thing for the E-Brake? Which one will it be for?

 

Why?

 

the AT because i doubt you have done it since you bought it AND i don't trust that the previous owner did so. you might as well have it done while the diff is being serviced. the e-brake because it could be causing the squealing.

 

Re-new... I got a screeching/whyning kinda sound coming from the under the Intake I thought it was the Alternator (Altho I havent got the Alternator tested) I believe it is the Fuel Pressure regulator that comes built into the Fuel Rail.. Lot's of PSI on my setup and longer lines but it kinda sounds like a Supercharger and it is definitely not a belt...

 

If it's vibrating at 25mph, you're lugging the engine (in too high of a gear at too low rpms, so the engine is struggling for power). Drive in manual mode in downshift, the car will be a lot better.

 

Nopstnz8, thats only going to mask his problem, not solve it. Its an Auto
Vicedout, you sure its not the air pump.

 

Did you ever figure this out?
My 07 RX8 GT (MT) is doing just about the same thing. Rough start and a squeak right before the engine starts. I just replace the plugs and wires. That helped but its not perfect like it was 300 miles ago. I'm guessing it is the stock coils gone bad. car has 50K miles now

 

VACUUM LEAK is what my screeching sound was... Coming from one of the Actuator plates for the APV's that lost a bolt lol... But I am amazed at how a tiny air leak was making that nasty screeching sound from my engine...

As far as your problem with the AUTO, all I can think of is replace the Belts just in case and maybe also the Auto Tranny Fluid..

---- HERE IS A THOUGHT; your first owner woman in her 40-50'ish PROBABLY drove the car like a Granny that she almost is (or might be already lol) AND there is a LOT of Carbon Deposits inside your engine.... I dunno if they can cause noises but hesitation, loss of power and drive ability and possibly making it Start rough.. CLEAN all that gunk out with lots and lots of Sea Foam and High RPM driving... Can I get an "I concur"

 

Belts should only FLEX no more than a half an inch... If not they should be real tight..

 

If you are at 50k miles on your original coils either take the time to get them individually tested and replace the bad ones(if any) or replace all 4 at once without testing. Some people have had their coils last a long time, others have not.