Good morning everyone. After a couple weeks of debating I decided to trade my V8 Ranger for an RX8. This is my first rotary motor and so far I really like it. It is a 05 so it needs a little work but nothing major really. I am out of Plainfield, IN.

Plans are as followed:

1. Bronze/Gold Wheels and tires
2. Coilovers after it is paid off
3. New exhaust (immediately due to it is straight piped and running stupid rich)
4. New clutch
5. Audio Upgrades (Maybe; Sundown all the way though)

I will post pics once it is nice out.

 

Famous last words with this car--check out the new owners thread if you haven't already.

But really, enjoy your new toy and welcome to the club.

 

It is a labor of love really.

 

How are you measuring that it is running rich

and how are you attributing that this is caused by a modification to the exhaust system.

 

I can smell unburnt fuel in my exhaust. I have not been under the car yet, I am not sure if there is a cat on it or not. It is also not holding back pressure like it should as well. When I go to disengage my clutch I have to be at around 1700RPM's so it does not stall out.

 

Hrmm, not so sure that is exhaust related.

As far as the smell goes, catless rotary has a very distinct smell, ... even a catted rotary will smell a bit like fuel. Your best bet is to hook up a scanner and check the measured AFR to be sure.

As far as having to hold 1700RPM to not stall out .... that is sounding more like a compression issue to me more than an exhaust issue.

 

Yes, you don't want exhaust back pressure on a rotary. The more open the exhaust, the better. There isn't any scavenging worth noting to try to tune it.

A heavy fuel smell from the exhaust likely means no cat on it, and most states have laws against letting a dealer sell a car that doesn't meet emissions control.

Wanting to stall out at idle speed could be a number of things, including failing ignition, compression loss, O2 sensor failure, MAF fouled, or vacuum leak (those are the most common anyway).

I'm guessing you didn't do your research, and didn't get a compression test first?

Time how long it takes to start up when cold, and compare that to how long when hot. If there is a noticeable variance there, start with a compression test, otherwise start by cleaning the MAF and replacing the ignition. Hook up an OBD2 to get the AFR as well, as Paimon noted.

 

I will admit that I did not do as much research as I should have before buying a rotary.

I bought the car last night. As for the exhaust, it is just too damn loud. I am hoping the O2 sensor is not fouled.

I am going to pull the plugs and clean them, clean the MAF and check for leaks.

 

Note that when I say "failing ignition", I mean the entire ignition system. Coils, plugs, wires, and engine block ground.

The coils and plugs fail REALLY fast on this car, about every 30k on average. And failing coils will kill plugs, and failing plugs will kill coils. We always advise to just replace everything all at once, and if you have no idea how old they are, replace them all. Shop smartly and you can get them all for around $192-$220, or you can opt to pay more for newer revision coils that in theory last longer (though still no statistical data on it).

It's not something people are expecting when they get an RX-8 without research first. Often they assume just plugs, and that isn't correct.

 

It starts right up when it is cold but after driving it and letting it idle for a few minutes, it takes about 5 minutes after I shut the car off to start again.

 

That's pretty bad.

Get a compression test, you very possible bought a car with a failing engine.

 

What is an acceptable compression psi?

 

Please see the new owner's thread, linked in my sig, stickied at the top of this subforum, and mentioned in the big red announcement at the top of the subforum.

There is a section on compression tests, why you need a specific rotary engine compression tester, and what you should be looking for.

Along with lots of other information that you generally need to be aware of.

 

After reading some of the posts in the new owners thread, thanks for pointing that out by the way, I want to say my entire ignition system including the starter is weak. I will start that route first and address the clutch issue next.

 

Well done for making the move, hope your enjoying your new rex

 

Alot rx8 engines before 2007 fail but are usually warrantied till 90, 000 miles. Remember to check your oil about 500 miles or less. Also try to upgrade your coils n rear struts Mazda went cheap on them. Also clean your throttle body usually it get alot of carbon build up

 

I'm not sure if anything in ^ post is completely true.

 

I'm sure nothing in this post is accurate. Are you sure you are talking about an RX-8?

Engine failure can be any year, original 2004 engines were more prone, but any replacement engine is the same as any other year for the Series1

The warranty is 8yrs 100,000 miles

Check oil regularly, doesn't have to be a specific mileage. Gotta learn how much you burn first.

The suspension of the 8 is stellar, and doesn't need "upgrading" due to any quality issues from Mazda. If you upgrade, it would be because the original is dying or you want something even better.

The "carbon" on the throttle body is often an intentionally placed material that people mistake for carbon. Throttle body problems are very rare. Oil in the intake from not having a catch can is more common, but it won't really carbon the throttle body. Carbon caking the intake valves is what is more common.

 

I had along technical post supporting what I said and explaining how alot people are snobish haters on this forum.
But it didn't post so "screw you guys I'm going home"

 

Good luck, Read Read Read, on the forum especially before you start asking questions or you'll be in for a lot of criticism.

 

I have noticed that. I understand the search function but why do people on these boards feel it to be necessary to flog one another over the littlest thing. I guess that since I a still new my opinion does not matter yet. This is definitely a new experience for me. I started a build thread over on my old Ranger forum.

Let the flogging beginning.

 

New owners need not listen to this guy.

 

It has to do with losing patience.

Someone asking a basic question is fine. It's when members see that same question being asked multiple times per week for years on end that the patience wears thin and it's easier to just say "the answer is out there, go search" rather than repeating themselves again for the thousandth time. The individual doing the asking doesn't see this of course, they think that they are the first one to experience the issue, so they don't understand how someone could have already lost patience with them.

And different people have different tolerance levels, just like in real life.

It's really why I created the new owner's thread. I was tired of re-typing my responses over and over and then I got tired of hunting down prior responses I made to copy and paste them for people asking the question again.

I got to that point just shy of 3 years ago, and it is exceedingly rare that a new owner asks a question that I haven't seen before.

So give it some time and you will see what we are talking about.

 

I know about it. It is like that on my Ranger forum. I just point them in the right direction and let it go. Like I said I am new here that is why I have not posted that much because I am searching the boards looking for the answer.

I am ordering my replacement exhaust next week. I replacing everything from the header back. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

I am trying to sort out a little electrical problem. My steering wheel controls do not work. I checked all the appropriate fuses and they are all fine. Any ideas next to dissembling the steering column to actually check the connectors.