Hi everyone, I'm new to the RX-8 club. I just bought a 04 RX-8. I own a 89 Ford Probe GT Turbo before this car, so it's a totally different experience to own a new RX-8 with a rotary. I bought the car as a daily driver to keep the wear and tear off my Probe. My probe is considered my 'fast car', and fast cars break a lot. Therefore, I bought something new and hopefully reliable.

I make sure I get the revs pretty high at least once a day to keep carbon buildup away, and I check the oil level every gas fill up. The car seems to run okay, but there are a few minor issues that I feel need to be addressed.

The Subtle, yet annoying tick:

I think I always had this subtle ticking sound, even when I bought the car. However, I never really noticed it until the next morning after buying the car and starting it up. The tick is more apparent when the engine is cold, and gets quieter as it warms. (yet never fully goes away)

I looked under the hood and gave the engine a 'once over'. To my dismay, I found that a spark plug wire was just dangling there. I then glanced over at the block and found a spark plug all alone, with no wire. The plug was somewhat rusted from water. It must have been off the plug for a while. I put the wire back on the plug, and started the engine again. I fully expected this to be the cause of the sound, but the sound persisted.

I am now wondering if the spark plug is fouled, and simply not providing a spark. I am convinced that spark plug is still the problem at this point. What are the long-term effects of having only one spark plug firing for that rotor? Does my warranty cover spark plugs or can I replace them on my own without voiding the factory warranty?

The shifter with seizures:

My shifter vibrates slightly. I'm wondering if the motor mounts are shot or if this is just normal for a car with the transmission directly under the shifter. The car idles smoothly, but there is some slight vibration in the cab.

 

Can't speak for your ticking sound but motor mounts are a problem child. Might wish to PM Charles R. Hill and ask him. You will not get flamed with him.

You might look at the other threads in this forum - put a turbo on this car and you may change your mind about the Probe.

 

So the mounts are a common issue with this car. I'll have to inspect them... er wait.. the car is under warranty. I'm just not used to having a warranty. I'm so used to working on my own cars.

As for putting a turbo on the car, that's not the reason I bought it. Plus, it would cost A LOT of money. It only takes about $200 to get the probe from 15.3 seconds to 13.9 seconds at the track. The RX-8 would require thousands of dollars.

And I'm poor.

 

Some vibration is definitely normal, but excessive vibration is motor mounts. Since you say the shifter vibrates slightly but idle is smooth, I'd bet you have no problem.

 

There's a TSB for cracked engine mounts—the mounts have been redesigned: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...21-06-1559.pdf