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Mazda RX 8 Engine Failure Problem

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    brookerxx8brookerxx8 Member Posts: 2
    its funny you say that jacqued because my rx8 does the exact same thing. it is so embarrassing not being able to start my rx8. i have to give it at least 10 or 15 mins rest sometimes if it doesn't start first time.

    People also think i'm crazy for not getting rid of my rx8 but its such a sexy car and i cant resell it unless the problem is fixed and in which case id want to keep it anyway. what a nightmare this has turned out to be!!!!!

    Can anyone imagine what its like to have just pumped gas in, hop in the car to start it and it wont go meanwhile cars are queuing up behind me.

    Its doing this much more frequently now and has become such a huge hassle. i've only had the car not even 6 months and the dealership dont want to know about it, they said to me lucky i have mechanical insurance...my mechanical insurance wont cover me for new starter motor as its an "upgrade" because 2003 model have the old starter motor etc so dont fire up as quick often leading them to flood etc. does anyone know if there has been recalls for 2003 model rx8?
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    raptor75raptor75 Member Posts: 7
    The rattle is most likely a bad CAT, RX-8s have issues with the CATs.

    It seems the most prevalent way these fail is from bad coils. The stock coils are under powered for this engine and usually fail/under-perform at around 30K. When this happens the fuel is not completely burned and enters the CAT. The CAT gets too hot and weakens or melts the CAT's core resulting in a failed CAT and often rattling. I upgrade my coils to a BHR coil set and will see how they work, so fair so good. Much better then the stock and far stronger spark.
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    raptor75raptor75 Member Posts: 7
    There was a service bulletin back in 05/06, at that time Mazda was replacing the Starters and upgrading the battery for free (I had mine done then). At this time they are no longer doing it.
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    kat2010kat2010 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2010 RX8; love this car...very sexy. Issue: I took it to the dealer because it keeps poping out of 4th gear; deler says this is a common issue but the insurance won't cover the cost (1100.00) because I am 2000 over the recommenred transmission fluid change date......really? I wonder what the word "recommened really means then?" anyway; This has been an issue for a while but I thought I was just not putting it into gear all the way until it started doing it more frequently. This was primarily happening on the streets; not so much on the freeway as that's where I drive it the most.

    I was wondering of anyone else has had this issue? and if so; were you able to resolve it without a huge fight?
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    2b2fast2b2fast Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2016
    2004 Rx8 grand touring 6 sp manual 6 port high power / w (empty catalytic) magnaflow mid pipe 96,000 miles   


    Do not understand the oil rant. You do know the engine has a pump that pumps oil in to the cumbustion chamber directly, right. So here is what I know, 
    1. I never use coventional oil. 
    2. You will replace the catalytic converter every 30,000 miles with the stock unit every 20,000 miles or less if aftermarket made.
    3. Loss of power at high revs is the engine destroying the catalytic converter. 
    4. My car sounds like marbles in a coffee can( that's what is left of the cat being smashed to bits)
    5. If you keep buying ceramic core catalytic converters (you will keep having to buy them. )
    6. Never had to add coolant ( have changed it due to age but never low) 96,000 miles
    7. One engine car never rebuilt. 
    8. The number one reason renesis engines fail ,is not oil viscosity ,it's oil fill level. 
    9.  The RX8 WILL NOT GO 3000 miles between oil changes. ( you mush top off the oil every 600/800 miles with about a 3/4 quart+ of oil)do the math. 
    10. Spark plugs do not last more than 25,000 miles. 
    11. Coils do not last more than 40,000 miles.  
    12.  The temps made by the renesis in the catalytic converter exceed 1850F ( I have recorded temps as high as 2456 F at full load  on a top speed run. )
    13. Do not let a rotary engine sit ( use it daily)
    14. Did I mention I only use synthetic oil. 5w20 weight
    I drive this car daily and have multiple 500 mile and 1200 mile road trips on this car and never had issues with over heating or air blowing hot. ( don't get me wrong the ac works ,but in Florida you must have dark tinted windows to be comfortable)

    the RX8 is a wonderful piece of machinery, fast ,handles like its on rails and well appointed. The down side is it requires super car levels of maintenance that the dealers cannot provide so do it yourself or risk the dealer ruining your car, and making you pay to fix it out of warranty. The only parts of my car a dealer has ever touched is replacement oem Mazda parts I ordered from them and I plan to keep it that way. 
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    monterrosomonterroso Member Posts: 3
    Claires said:
    Here it is again :shades: : Mazda RX8 Extended Warrantythe factory warranty is 96 months or 100xxx miles witsh ever come first so no one apply for it I think we all have to stand against theme to get  better help mine just went from rooning like champ to die I tucked to the closes Mazda shop and the say front rotor and last need to be replase so I will need to buy a new motor and spend 7 k on it I just bought the care from small dilear 5 months ago so they can not help and then I call USA Mazda to get some help and they say my car is out of factory warranty I think that s not fear we all need to stand against USA Mazda to get better help because my car is just 80 k miles but we all need to raise our boisses 
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    monterrosomonterroso Member Posts: 3
    bobs_rx8_lemon said:
    If you own an RX8, please read this message. From time to time I've experienced many of the issues discussed here. I've had the car stall on a hill. I've had difficult starting. I have stalled at traffic lights. I've experienced rough idling. And a lack of acceleration. These things didn't happen often and occurred over a period of months. I thought it first it was bad gas. I use premium. To make a long story short, after having read comments in the RX8 club forum, I went to the dealership and had a compression test. My car went out of warranty on April 24 less than one month ago. The dealership wants me to pay $5500 for a new engine. I've contacted Mazda corporate and they're adamant that they will do nothing for me. They won't even prorate the repair. I tried to explain that I'm 97 months into the engine and for the lack of four weeks out of eight years they're punishing me. I'm on a crusade to see that every RX eight owner whose car is in warranty knows how important it is to get the compression test done while it's still in warranty and get a new engine. If you know of any other places where I can post this message to reach Mazda owners before they wind up like me, please let me know. BobSo this means we not going to get any type of help from Mazda USA I think they can do better we are alot of people whom have the same problem do you know if there is any type of legal help what we can use to get our cars fix from them our cars are new and they are expensive I love that car but they have so many recall 
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    monterrosomonterroso Member Posts: 3
    Does some one knows if there is some legal help for rx8 owner I have same problem with mine I test the compression 9 on mine a week before and I let my car park for 4 days the temperature drops down was snowing for few days here in Washington State when stop snowing I came out to start my car and won't start the battery was dead I bought a new one I won't start with the new one neither I tuck it to the closes Mazda shop the check it and just say front and rear rotors weren't working so I need a new ingien the give the price for that 7k I call Mazda USA and they say car was out of warranty on 96 months or 100k is witch  ever come first  I am secund owner the first one bought it more than 96 months ago so what I am supposed to do with the car domp it I wish we can get help because does cars are nice but some of them just trash 
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    Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    So it was running well and had good compression a few weeks ago and suddenly you need a new engine? Something not adding up here. You probably want to take the car to an independent shop that knows rotary engines and can test yours. These engines flood out easily during starting for one thing.
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    therotaryguytherotaryguy Member Posts: 1
    I have been into mazda rotary powered cars since I got my license to drive. My first was an 85 gs. I have since owned 3 fd rx7s and many rx8s. My first rx8 was bought from a used car lot in 2005. It had 3000 miles on it at that time. I drove it home and immediately changed the oil to 20w50 which I have always used in all my mazdas. I live in Florida where it can get very hot all year long. Which is why I use the heavier oil. I had this car until 2009. In that time I logged 152000 miles. Never did I have any flooding issues or delayed starting hot or cold. Also I never upgraded my starter to the faster one which mazda came out with to mask the low compression issues. The person I sold the car to ran it for two more years without issue...until he overheated it. This blew the water seal and required him to overhaul it. If mazda would have recommended a higher viscosity oil such as 5w 30, the rx8's story would have been quite different. This is my experience.
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    isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    The one and only shop in our area that specialized in rotary Mazdas has closed their doors. The shops that will tear into a rotary are few and far between. I've owned three RX-7's in the past and there is NOTHING like them in several ways but when they blow....and they will, it's time to say goodbye!
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