Troublesome Rx8 (2nd engine died)
 

Ok basically i'm thinking about selling my 8 because of the various issues ive had in the 3.5 years ive had it. What do you guys think?

Only reason why im debating this is because my engine needs to be replaced because, according to Mazda, its leaking oil from one of the rotors I guess in the engine. I just got done with a $3000 repair (repaired sealants from other oil leaks, replaced motor mounts, and other stuff). So im just about fed up, plus it doesn't have as much pickup as it used to have. I got the car at 46K and now its at 117K and heres all the major stuff ive gotten fixed on it:

Engine replaced at 56K
replaced power steering rack
replaced Catalytic converter
replaced radiator
Broken wire underneath intake
replaced Air Condenser
Oil leaks @ cooler line, front seal, oil pan gasket
2nd engine replacement needed <-current issue

So I live in Houston and use this car as a commute vehicle to work most of the time, but do ya'll think I should just go head and sell the 8. Even though I freakin love this car since not too many peeps have it. Thanks for any input guys.

what year is it?

Why did you replace the engine at 56k miles? and why wasnt it covered under warranty?

If you replaced the cat, that probably means you were neglecting changing the coils plugs and wires, which led to the cat failing and getting clogged so you screwed yourself on that first engine.

why was the radiator replaced?

and how long ago was this oil leak after you got your engine rebuilt? Im not exactly sure but i think there is some kind of warranty on remans, think its a year or something like that.

you live in texas, so hit up the SARX members they are local to you. They are very knowledgeable and have done everything from spark plug changes to engine rebuilds. before you blindly accept what the dealer told you, run it by them and see if they can help.

Thanks for the response...sorry I forgot the main part...its a 2004 automatic

The first engine died on me 10K after I bought the car used from a dealership, so yea the original owner prob didn't maintain it right. but yes it was covered by warranty.

the car overheated and started smoking on me while driving and that's when they told me the radiator needed to be replaced

the oil leaks just happened last week, so about 60K after the first engine was replaced. and yea Houston texas.

I understand you have to keep up with the maintenance when it comes to a sports car, but this seems like a lot in a 3yr time period.

The oil line leaks are rare and usually only caused by rust or damage from an accident. The power steering rack probably did not need to be replaced, I bet it was just a bad harness (common issue, $80.00 part) but dealers and shops that don't know shit usually just replace the whole rack.

Rotaries run hot so in Texas you have to be on top of your cooling system maintenance and just because you got a "new" engine still means all your old dirty manifolds, sensor, oil injectors, oil injector lines, hoses, vacuum lines, and other components were put right back on that engine without any proper care. If this was a dealer replaced engine then it is a re manufactured engine made up of new and used parts.

How did your engine fail? Were you checking the oil level? Was the engine consuming oil at a normal rate?

To answer your original question, yes, you should sell your RX-8, and get something more reliable for a daily commuter in Texas.

BC.

the first engine died just 10K after i bought it so i assume the previous owner drove the sh*t out of it.

This 2nd engine failure was due to the one of the rotors in the engine leaking...according to the dealership. And ive kept up with my oil changes and maintenance. so of course u can see my frustration lol

Sell it.

The rotors don't leak but seals do. There are very few engines that last past 100k esp in autos. More then likely when you over heated you blew a seal in the engine. You have to really keep an eye on engine temps with these cars one good overheat can blow the engine or cripple it sending it into a slow decline. Mazda factory remans are known to be of very poor quality and rarely last past 30k. Good luck with your sale I highly suggest trading it in for a nice R3 in blue or red. :naughty:

Many of us in SARX are on our 3 or 4th engine.

Mazda is nuts about the Automatics with just one oil cooler, well they changed it later years but damages has been done (I'm sure the engine they have to replace cost WAY more than that extra oil cooler line and oil cooler that they should include them in the first place)

have you talked to the Vegas people about this... crazy stuff. Japan is such a small place.