Hello everyone,

I brought home my first rotary powered car a few weeks ago. 07 rx8 with 107,000 miles, black six speed. I have been searching for a decent specimen for a while, with the intent to do a lot of work. I happened across this one, still running, for a really good deal. The car had been sitting for a few years, with what was assumed bad seals. The previous owner got the engine running and sold it to me "as is". After three weeks of driving it, it's still running strong. That being said, I'm assuming it's on the tail end of it's lifespan, which is ok, that's what I was in the market for! The car needs some minor body work and new front bumper. It looks like somebody got a little close to a parking barrier... Anyway, hello, I'll be searching for all my newbie questions and answers here, take care!

 

Did you get a compression test done? That will really be the best way to ascertain engine life.

 

No, it was priced just a little bit over what I would have paid for a non running roller. Which was the original plan. I consider the engine functioning more of a bonus, considering the circumstances of its "revival"! Since it is currently running well, I'll be starting with a suspension refresh, and taking care of the front bumper and smaller paint issues. I predict that the first compression test will be on fresh rebuilt engine sometime in the near to medium to far future, who knows, I'm going to have fun with this car and take it as it comes!

 

There is a cheaper, quicker way to check the engine health as well. You could start it up, get it nice and warmed up on a drive, park it back at your residence, then restart it right after you shut it down. Basically you are doing a hot restart. If it starts easily then I wouldn’t consider replacement. You want to make sure you park back at home though in case it has trouble restarting. This isn’t necessarily the only way you can have trouble with an engine, but it’s quick and dirty way to know if you need an engine replacement.

My car actually has readings in the low 90s of psi and it still starts up with ease when hot. I did just get a new starter but even prior it started up fine. Those values would warrant an engine replacement under Mazda warranty but of course all these cars are now out of warranty.

Great to hear you got a good deal and have some engine life to get you hooked before you need a new one .

 

^+1
This is a good check.
If your warmed up engine restarts without a hitch, you can have a lot of miles left before you NEED to rebuild it.

If you have no hot start issues, get the compression checked.
Unless you get a reputable rebuilder to do it, you can end up with less compression than you have now.

Many RX8 problems are simple fixes.
Check the battery and terminals.
Replace it if it's more than a few years old.

Get the OBD scanned.
If you have a catalytic converter, check it or get it checked.

Get a HEI tester, check your coils/plugs.
If you still have a stock intake, change the air filter, check for oil blow by in the intake tube, clean the MAF sensor and leave it be.

Clean the ESS.
Reset the NVRAM.

 

Thanks for all the input! The car has no starting issues hot or cold, fires up in less than 2 seconds of cranking hot or cold. The only thing that worries me, other than some scary sounds from the front and rear suspension is the low idle. It wants to idle at about 550 or 600, just a hair above the 500rpm marker. This causes a bit of vibration, give it a little gas, get the RPMs around 700 or 800, smooth as butter. I'm really looking forward to tearing in to this car, I know it's got a few mouse nests in it lol. Thanks again for the informative welcome. I'll get some pictures of my progress has it happens. Given the unknown past of the car, I'll definitely be taking the advice you all offer.

 

It sounds like the previous owner was clueless.

Check the cabin air filter for mice nests, that's a common problem for those who leave the AC fresh air mode door open.

Idle issue sounds like a vacuum leak.
If you don't have the stock intake that could be your problem.
Lots of trash aftermarket intakes out there.

If your engine bay looks like this, that's a good thing.

 

I'll take a look at what you mentioned for sure. My engine bay seems to be complete, not as clean as yours, but nothing missing. Stock airbox has a broken clamp, filter looks...ok... Battery is definitely not new, but not corroded. Fortunately the air smells neutral out of the vents, perhaps the mice didn't get too far...