What engine are you on?

[project88turbo]

Just wanted to see how many engines you guys have gone thru. My buddy bought an 04 model and blew 2 engines before he traded in. First went out during the warranty period. Second engine barely made it 12,000 miles.

His only mods were a cat delete pipe and a Simota intake.

I'd like to think this isn't something Mazda has done wrong. Maybe something that can be blamed on either the servicing dealer or Mazda's choice of engine rebuilder.

Vince

[fikren]

my 8 is still new so I don't count, but on an rx8 specific forum a pole was done and out of several hundred people something like 80+ percent were still on their first engine. I think alot of it is how you take care of it, regular oil changes, letting it warm up, using premix, etc. I think Kevin for one has an 8 with over 120k miles on it so theres some solid proof that they can last, problem is you always hear from the ones that blew an engine but rarely hear from the ones still trucking with the original.

[Pink Flea]

Im on my first engine (knocking on wood until knuckles bleed). I have a MT 04 with exactly 111025 miles on her.

[WE3RX7]

My '04 has 33K on the original engine - I just picked it up a month ago and hope that the previous owner took good care of it.

I plan to start running premix on fill-ups just to be safe. I've run premix in most all my past rotaries, so its no biggie to keep doing it on this one!

[I8U]

On my 2nd, the first went at 36k. I have 21k on this one and the last last compression check showed some surprising results! Not one chamber showing anything under 9.6!!! Goes to show a little premix goes a long way.

[josh18_2k]

this is just sad. NA rotaries are supposed to last, but not anymore?

[SayNoToPistons]

Originally Posted by josh18_2k

this is just sad. NA rotaries are supposed to last, but not anymore?

RX8 is not the only modern sports car that needs engine replacement. 350z needed them, so did Porsche Boxters, and i'm willing to bet there are many more out there also.

[WE3RX7]

I think with anything - you get a mix of good and bad. Rotaries, NA or Turbo always take that extra maintenance to make sure you're oil levels were good, your water temps are good - and some people just jumped in them and took off never caring to check anything and of course ignored any signs of wear and then blame the mfg for not building a solid car?? BS...

I think its a small price to pay to have one of the best sports cars for under $40k.. hell, look at porsche #1 in worse reliability last year for 2007.

[Renesis]

I bought my car used august of 07 and it has had a re-manufactured engine, new tranny, new gears, and a new clutch. The engine was done a month after i got it and everything else took a month. went in the shop beginning of december came out mid january.

[Herblenny]

My 8 had 90+K when I bought it but the original owner blew the 1st motor with Greddy Turbo kid. He put a new reman and I bought it with 10K on the reman.. Now I've driven 10+ K and runs fine (except for the whole ECU limp thingy).

I also blame dealers for replacing engines though. When I had the issue with ECU, I called one of the 8 owner I knew and he told me that one of his friend had similar issue and when that guy took it into the dealership, they replaced the engine... Like the FD's back in the days... Dealers get trigger happy about replacing engines instead of actually trying to learn and fix simple issues.

Now I feel like there are very few FD owners blow up their motor with stock set up.. I think we just know more about these engines and forum like this will help you troubleshoot better.

[WE3RX7]

Thats a good point about the dealerships -

Some of it may also be due to the owners, I've seen some owners throw hissy fits about their cars and demand a new engine, etc...