hello i just wanted to introduce my car and myself here. I just got my first rotary car, a 2004 rx-8. i bought it in Sacramento California, and drove it 250 miles back home. it was a very smooth ride home and very enjoyable. I am a notorious gauge watcher, only to find out that the temp gauge in the 8 isn't very helpful. . i only bring this up because i did smell a bit of coolant when i got home after the trip. The other thing i would like to mention is there is a nice little belt screech, im not sure from which belt though. I know overheating is the deadly sin of rotaries, so this got me worried enough to post here.

 

I would check to see if the barrings in The water pump pully are screaching.

 

Welcome,

Red had a good suggestion.

Also, for monitoring, pick up an ultragauge. Beats the heck out of having to always hook up your phone.


And, again, welcome.

 

Right on I'll look i to an ultra gauge. How bad is replacing a water pump? It's rather huge pain in the **** on my miata.

 

Have you investigated the actual cause of anti freeze smell. It could be a loose clamp on a hose, the radiator side plastic housing or the pump. The belt, I would replace if it is squealing and make suer the tension is correct.

 

All good advice above.

RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.


every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.