crossbow

Most people also don't realize, that most higher weight oils (with wider spreads) tend to quickly sheer down to a 20 wt in just a few hundred miles. Most of the synthetic 20 wts by comparison, maintain their viscosity (if not slightly thicken) over the course of the oil change interval.

Mobil1 5w-30 is a definite culprit in this catagory, sheering down to a 20 wt oil well before the oil change interval comes up.

Aka in many causes 30=20 and 20=20. Of course there are exceptions with the rarer oils (like 0w-30 GC, which is closer to a 40 wt oil in relative viscosity).

Its hard to convince people otherwise, cause somewhere along the line people got the idea that thicker is better for some reason...when in fact, the viscosity labels on oils are merely consumer targets for easier matching to your respective vehicles...the actual viscsoity of the oil varies wildly by manufacturer, as does its sheer stability, and additive package....all which are far more important then the consumer labeled viscosity label.

Those interested can read and learn more about motor oil at...

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com

loco4rx8

I'm wondering how frequently the people who have had the engine failures changed their oil. As we know, Mazda recommends 7500 mile oil changes in the manual (normal maintenance schedule) and 5000 mile oil changes for severe conditions.

At this point, I cannot imagine going 7500 miles between oil changes with this car.

Oktobernv

I have 13000 miles on my car and have had 6 oil changes.

I did the first one at 500 miles to remove any metal flakes from the new motor when I first got the car.

I am VERY good about getting my oil changed every 3000 miles.

AT MOST I went 3500 miles between changes.....maybe once.

My engine is blown.

So maybe we need to change every 1500-2000 miles?

Rob in Vegas

35 days without my car and counting...........................

rxeightr

That just plain sucks. If you don't mind, share with us --

Average Gas Mileage
% Highway vs. City driving
Did you do the oil changes? If so, how did oil look?

crossbow

Anyone with a blown engine also happen to run a UOA at some point? The only rx8 uoa's I've remembered are the redline 5w-20 ones.

Oktobernv

I never really paid real close attention to my MPG.

I would guess I was getting around 18-20 MPG.

My % highway vs. city driving.....hmmmm.....

I would say 70% city and %30 highway


I do NOT do my own oil changes.

I just took it to the dealer and had them do it.

I believe the dealer did 5 of the 6 changes and the last time I had the oil changed I took it to "Ted Wiens Tire and Auto" and had them do.

So, I have never seen any of the oil that was coming out during the changes.

Honestly, I did not ever think to even worry about it.

Rob in Vegas

clydejmuggs

What brand of oil are they using?

Oktobernv

I called Magic Mazda on friday to check on my engine.

Still waiting for the parts........

My regular service rep was off on friday, so I did not get to ask about what brand of oil Magic is using.

He seems to be the most informed guy there, so I want to ask him directly so I know that we are getting the right info.

I will be speaking to him on monday and will report back.


Rob in Vegas

Nubo

Unfortunately, it seems to have become "Bob is the **** guy"; Before the forums were readable by anyone but now you have to register. Ok, fine. It initially accepted. But then I was later rejected after someone (Bob?) decided my "location" and "occupation" weren't serious enough. Geez.

PaulieWalnuts

If oil temp and breakdown is the issue, what affect does the oil coolers not being drained during an oil change have? Almost a third of the dirty oil never gets changed so if you have a couple quarts of foamed bad oil left in the coolers and you dump a few quarts of new oil (or maybe even a different oil like synthetic) in with the bad stuff, won't you still have bad oil?

roxi

You bet, let me know what's haps. Dont' really want the car. Awaiting new engine also.

RX8world

That's why we must change the oil at every 2000 miles maximum.The dealers told you to change it every 7500m....soooo , every time stays 1/3 of "expired" oil.So,when we reach the third oil change(7500 miles) the old oil would be already replaced.The old oil will be refreshed and replaced quicker.More extra $$$ but more life to the engine

RotaryGoober

I'm wishing that it's time for the oil metering system to draw on clean oil and not used degraded oil from the pan. It's time for a separate tank, monitored by an idiot light and to move on to other problems. I also wish that the current pan held more of the oil instead of pushing capacity *up* into the bottom of the engine. The older rotaries had better capacity in the pan but with the way the Renesis sits that isn't an option. Then when you drained, much more percentage would come out. While I'm wishing, I wish that we had larger oil coolers like the second generation. In fact, give me an oil cooler that's over kill and maybe even put a drain plug on the bastard. These oil problems have been know about for decades, there is no excuse.

rudy8

right on...oil is life blood. should be first order of concern with any sports car.
porsches and other cars have a dry sump and hold 12 qts of oil and recirulate cooled oil at all times...and have great oil coolers to boot. why not something at least 1/2 as good for the so called revolutionary rotary renesis?

SimbaKui

I am also ready to begin the process of contacting a lawyer. I will be calling tomorrow. If anyone else is interested in a class action suit over this engine problem, or has begun the process, please contact me. This whole thing is ridiculous and I for one certainly don't pay $500 a month for my car to sit on a lot awaiting a new engine that I am told I have to pay for because they couldn't properly diagnose the problem until 51K miles. Now all of a sudden my engine is "fouled up" and needs to be replaced. Yet I have had it in to Mazda 4 times stating the loss of power, no acceleration, gringing noise at high RPMs, CEL continuously on problem while under warranty. Each time I was told the CEL was "nothing" (code came up engine running lean and evaporation leak), and that I must have been imagining the performance problems. ha!

swoope

iTrader: (5)

amazing how the class action people have almost no posts and have been members for less than a month!!!!

i dont know but lawyers trolling??????

yes lets get a class action lawsuit started so the problem doesnt get fixed and the lawyers get most of the money.

my guess is if this were to happen the people in vegas would get a coupon for 500 bucks off of there next mazda purchase.

just my opionion i could be wrong.

btw, 31k no problems, 1 cel fixed the first time. been under the car no damage. mgp ~21 ave for the life of the car.

beers

beachdog

Those that feel that they need lawyers should just go it alone. Class action cases take years and yes, the majority of the money goes to the lawyers.

I got a coupon for about $3 off my next purchase of a Microsoft product. A fine example of a successful class action suit.

6speed8

I agree, all these engine and bad problem posts are first time (or relatively new) posters, and it's about time this is mentioned. I have 30k miles avg. mpg is now at just under 20 (19.8) 90% city. No floodding, no CEL, and I have not yet received a recall notice (aside from the airbag harness and shield a year ago).

I use Castrol GTX 5-20 dino oil, add 1 qt at 2k miles, and get the oil changed between 3k-4k miles. I got new tires at 24k to replace the worn Bridgestones. and had the new disk pads put on the front to stop the squeal and it stopped 90% of the dust.

The engine runs great ( I use 89 octane), and I have not seen any RX-8s at the dealership I go to with blown engines. I am sure some do happen, But I have not seen one.

My car is completely stock except for clear corners, and I have no complaints except it would have been nice if we could check the oil when the engine is COLD and after sitting all night.

I take it to the 'beep' every chance I get, but I am not deluded in thinking this is a 'Drag Racing machine' For those people that have had or are having engine problems, are your engines stock? any mods at all, including different intake, air filter, exhaust system and is the engine cover in place? What kind of oil/brand/interval between adding/changing that oil?

I live in Florida and it is hot here 300 days a year so my car is exposed to high ambient temps.

This is my first rotary and so far the engine has been trouble-free and I must say I am addicted to this engine's sound, smoothness and power. I feel sorry for anyone having engine problems, but you need to be truthful to get to the root cause, and I am sorry, but Lawyers are anything but.

Oktobernv

Post EDIT:

Rob you may be unhappy but you are in the unfortunate minority. I am truly very sorry to hear you are having problems. Posts attacking or insulting others will not be tolerated. -RG

SimbaKui

Sorry if I offended anyone by my post... I am a new member because I found this site looking for information about problems I have been having with my rx-8. I am not into cars -- I am a 28 yr old female teacher and my rx-8 is completely stock and meticulously maintained. I am very happy for those that have no problems on their rx-8... yet. But this is a much larger problem than you realize and I resent any implication that I am not being truthful to get to the cause of the problems with my car. I posted to this site for support and information, not to be accused of abusing my car! I sincerely hope you are never in my shoes one day, but in the meantime I would like to discuss the rx-8 engine problems with those that are having these problems and what is being done about it. I didn't think class action was the way to go, but I am sure my lawyer (who I unfortunately have to visit today to discuss this matter) will know the best route to take.

Thanks to those that are being helpful and supportive!

6speed8

Sorry if I was not clear, I did not mean that people were being less than honest, but rather need to be FACTUAL as to all the possible reasons, so we can determine if it is a problem with engine itself, or the products used or intervals of usage. It is quite easy to lay blame on the engine, and in fact it might be a problem all by itself, but some specific information from each person having problems would be greatly appreciated. It would also be nice to have any symptoms that appeared before failure, so all of us can be alert to potential problems.

When I had my Celica and was on the Celica forum, it seemed people were blowing up their engines every five minutes. It turned out 95% were caused by misshifting on a downshift, thus overreving the engine and putting the valves through the pistons. The majority of these blown engines appeared, or seemed to appear at the same time. Toyota was replacing the engines, so it looked like it was a design problem with the shifter and Toyota was at fault. That was five years ago, and the shifter (gate) had been changed since then, but even to this day people are still blowing up the engines due to misshifting. It is quite common knowledge and is admitted by almost all who do it, it is driver error.

Now I am NOT saying it is driver error causing the engine problems here, but sometimes the ROOT CAUSE is not clear. Factual information from all impacted would go a long way towards helping us all.

SimbaKui

Please see my previous post under the "new engine club" thread for my story and the factual information. My car is also an AT, and I was told the majority of automatics are having this problem. The question I would like to see addressed is why?

6speed8

I read your writeup (55K miles - WOW! you really drive!) , but it did not indicate what brand of oil, how often oil was added, how often it was changed, who did the oil changes. What brand of gas and octane, air intake, etc... These are the facts that MIGHT help the rest of us, I am really sorry about your engine problems though.

two rotors

Who told you the majority of automatics have this problem?A fairer statement would appear to be that a "majority of the problems are with automatics".Now how many vehicles are involvedI don'know,but if say 50,000 cars have been sold in the US and 100 automatics have engine problems---go to with your class action suit.

crossbow

Do the rx8 oil coolers use standard fittings? Can they be adapted to AN fittings? Or retrofitted? If they're standard connectors, you should be able to swap in superior oil coolers, with fans, for a relatively minimal investment.

I agree that its mazda's responsibility to address this issue, but in the meantime, that doesn't help other people who may enounter the issue in the future, while mazda works on a solution.

There are quite a variety of stacked plate engine oil coolers on the market that would probably be nice upgrades to the stock rx8 coolers.