New RX8 Owner

skybouncer · 06-28-2014, 09:05 AM

Hello everybody, Im a new owner of a 2004 RX8 and found this site to learn more about what I got into LOL. and the Rotary engine.
I love this thing, its a blast to drive.
My last sports car was a 1976 MG migget, got married in 1977 and that was the end of the sports cars for me, 37 years later and after the big D!!!!!!!
IM BACK :-)
I got a problem that I searched the internet for with a whole lot of different answers and I didnt really want to rebuild the car after just getting it LOL.
Well I thought this forum would be the right place to get a stright answer form people that has experince with it and for me to start the learning curve for it.
Heres my problem:
As far as I know its a stock car / motor, has 45,000 miles on it,purrs like a kitten and has what I think a lots of power when tacking it out
After I turn the car off after a drive and normal temps it wont start back without sitting about 30 mins. The longer it sits and cools down the quicker it starts.
I have only drove it for short drives because I dont want to get stranded and im wanting to take a road trip in it.
OK lets here from the informed experinced rotary guys!

speedjunkie · 06-28-2014, 12:17 PM

Welcome! Divorced after 37 years? That's nuts! I'd figure it was forever after that long.

I was born in 77 actually, not to make you feel old or anything lol.

Good luck with the problem! I don't own an RX-8 but I think I've heard of this problem before.

skybouncer · 06-28-2014, 12:30 PM

Thanks speedjunkie, I thought it was forever too, but unfortunately she didnt.
Boy I sure wish I had all that time and money back for wild women and fast cars LOL
Too old for that the wild women, so I guess i'll play with the fast cars now lol

GySgtFrank · 06-28-2014, 01:55 PM

You double posted the thread so I'll give you a double answer.

Probably your best bet to begin diagnosing your problem would be to take it down to the Mazda dealer and have a compression check done (rather than chasing a bunch of silly stuff around in circles). Usually a couple hundred dollars, depending on the dealership.

The most common problems with the first generation RX-8s that I have heard tell of are low compression, a less than stellar ignition system, and a crappy starter. It could be any of these, but the low compression would be the most serious.

To repeat what has been told to me by people that rebuild these things regularly:

Low compression, this would require a rebuild if it is the problem. The first gens had insufficient oil injection to the rotors in an attempt to cut down on oil use. Bad idea as rotaries require oil just like a two stroke. Easiest fix is to premix 2 stroke oil with your fuel to give it a little additional lubrication. The shorter apex seals didn't help things either.

Most people upgrade the coils as the stock coils were marginal when new and get worse quickly.

The starter did not spin fast enough and has also caused hot start issues. The fix for this is to use the starter from the 2nd generation 8s. Pricey, but worth it. So I've been told.

caveat: I don't own an 8. This is what I have been told by those that work on them regularly and what I have seen others struggling with. We'll see if I get any arguments from those that actually own one.

skybouncer · 06-28-2014, 02:54 PM

Thanks Frank, I seen It double posted when i went to edit the 1st post but cant delete the other or dont know how, maybe a Mod can take care of it for me.
What you have said is what I found elseware on the net.
I guess i dont want or cant beleive its the compression because of the power it has and how smooth it runs. I dont have a Mazda dealer close by so I looking for answers 1st.
I was thinking coils to start with or maybe low battery, havent had it checked yet.
Thanks for your answers.

GySgtFrank · 06-28-2014, 03:23 PM

Hopefully not the compression, but worth checking first before you put a bunch of money into other parts. If you want to check it yourself, Rotary Diagnostics sells compression gauges for rotaries. The price may seem a bit much at first, until you see how much one from Mazda costs!

A regular engine compression gauge won't tell you much with a rotary.

JL1RX7 · 06-29-2014, 07:31 AM

You can get the uprated starter from Advanced or Napa etc. Less than two hundred bucks if you play the sales right. Look for 2K starter vs 1.5k if memory serves me right.

Do a full ignition change. Plugs wires ETC. Again Advanced etc sell the coils. O'Reileys offers a lifetime warranty on them. So you can exchange them every so often. Mazda has a new version of the coils that supposedly fixes the issues. Code "C" on the coil. Prices range from about two hundred for BMD(advanced etc) coils to over three hundred for the Mazda ones.

BHR coil kit is the most popular on the market. Pricey but supposedly worth it.

Also do a full oil change. Mazda says 5w20 is the correct weight. Huge debate on which is better, but most feel running 5w30 or higher. If you such the webs for this debate you can read up on it and make your own choice.

Gunny, you have listened to us bitch about the car enough you might as well own one. Plus now you have been stuck in one riding the Dragon. That makes you a better expert than most eight owners.

GySgtFrank · 06-29-2014, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JL1RX7

Gunny, you have listened to us bitch about the car enough you might as well own one. Plus now you have been stuck in one riding the Dragon. That makes you a better expert than most eight owners.

The main thing I learned from that is never ride the dragon in the back seat of an eight with a hangover.

pnda86 · 06-30-2014, 02:55 AM

I had this same problem for awhile in my series 1 8. I had read about the coils only lasting 20k or so miles so I upgraded to the BHR coils and wires. (they are pricey, but worth it) I also installed new laser iridium plugs. Once I had them in the car would barely start and after warm up you could hang up starting it for anywhere from 10-30 minutes. I installed the uprated 2.0kW starter and it hasn't had a problem since.
Also, I can't wait for DGRR 2015. Hope I don't break down next year!

skybouncer · 07-08-2014, 07:18 AM

Hope everyone had a good 4th of July....I sure did LOL :-)
1st road trip in the 8, driving through the Blue Ridge mountains.
No problems on the roadtrip
Man.... havent had this much fun driving a car since the MG in 1976 LOL
It was really hard to keep the foot out of the acclerator, but a cop every 5 or 10 miles shooting radar sure did help.
I Love this thing:-) I sure wish I had found out about the DG dragon meet in time to go, will for sure be there next year....maybe with two 8s LOL
I found another 2004 RX8 for 4 grand here locally that im thinking of getting also to put a full body kit on and trick it out.
mmmmmmyes,no,yes,no...still debating.

Thanks everyone for your imput and thoughts.....Looks like im going shopping.

06-28-2014, 01:55 PM	#4
GySgtFrank Professional Stick Poker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Stafford, Ks. iTrader: (0) Posts: 1,005 Rep Power: 15	You double posted the thread so I'll give you a double answer. Probably your best bet to begin diagnosing your problem would be to take it down to the Mazda dealer and have a compression check done (rather than chasing a bunch of silly stuff around in circles). Usually a couple hundred dollars, depending on the dealership. The most common problems with the first generation RX-8s that I have heard tell of are low compression, a less than stellar ignition system, and a crappy starter. It could be any of these, but the low compression would be the most serious. To repeat what has been told to me by people that rebuild these things regularly: Low compression, this would require a rebuild if it is the problem. The first gens had insufficient oil injection to the rotors in an attempt to cut down on oil use. Bad idea as rotaries require oil just like a two stroke. Easiest fix is to premix 2 stroke oil with your fuel to give it a little additional lubrication. The shorter apex seals didn't help things either. Most people upgrade the coils as the stock coils were marginal when new and get worse quickly. The starter did not spin fast enough and has also caused hot start issues. The fix for this is to use the starter from the 2nd generation 8s. Pricey, but worth it. So I've been told. caveat: I don't own an 8. This is what I have been told by those that work on them regularly and what I have seen others struggling with. We'll see if I get any arguments from those that actually own one. __________________ 1979 SA22C (parts of one anyway) http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ad.php?t=15585 1975 MG Midget (building) http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ad.php?t=18681 1988 N/A SE model FC, dead stock and less than 85k on the clock. This one actually runs, so I don't fuck with it.

06-28-2014, 03:23 PM	#6
GySgtFrank Professional Stick Poker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Stafford, Ks. iTrader: (0) Posts: 1,005 Rep Power: 15	Hopefully not the compression, but worth checking first before you put a bunch of money into other parts. If you want to check it yourself, Rotary Diagnostics sells compression gauges for rotaries. The price may seem a bit much at first, until you see how much one from Mazda costs! A regular engine compression gauge won't tell you much with a rotary. __________________ 1979 SA22C (parts of one anyway) http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ad.php?t=15585 1975 MG Midget (building) http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ad.php?t=18681 1988 N/A SE model FC, dead stock and less than 85k on the clock. This one actually runs, so I don't fuck with it.

06-30-2014, 02:55 AM	#9
pnda86 The Newbie Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kingston Springs, TN iTrader: (0) Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	I had this same problem for awhile in my series 1 8. I had read about the coils only lasting 20k or so miles so I upgraded to the BHR coils and wires. (they are pricey, but worth it) I also installed new laser iridium plugs. Once I had them in the car would barely start and after warm up you could hang up starting it for anywhere from 10-30 minutes. I installed the uprated 2.0kW starter and it hasn't had a problem since. Also, I can't wait for DGRR 2015. Hope I don't break down next year! Last edited by pnda86; 06-30-2014 at 02:57 AM..

07-08-2014, 07:18 AM	#10
skybouncer The Newbie Join Date: May 2014 iTrader: (0) Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	4th Hope everyone had a good 4th of July....I sure did LOL :-) 1st road trip in the 8, driving through the Blue Ridge mountains. No problems on the roadtrip Man.... havent had this much fun driving a car since the MG in 1976 LOL It was really hard to keep the foot out of the acclerator, but a cop every 5 or 10 miles shooting radar sure did help. I Love this thing:-) I sure wish I had found out about the DG dragon meet in time to go, will for sure be there next year....maybe with two 8s LOL I found another 2004 RX8 for 4 grand here locally that im thinking of getting also to put a full body kit on and trick it out. mmmmmmyes,no,yes,no...still debating. Thanks everyone for your imput and thoughts.....Looks like im going shopping.

06-28-2014, 12:17 PM	#2
speedjunkie RCC Loves Me Not You Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, CO iTrader: (1) Posts: 2,089 Rep Power: 19	Welcome! Divorced after 37 years? That's nuts! I'd figure it was forever after that long. I was born in 77 actually, not to make you feel old or anything lol. Good luck with the problem! I don't own an RX-8 but I think I've heard of this problem before.

06-28-2014, 12:30 PM	#3
skybouncer The Newbie Join Date: May 2014 iTrader: (0) Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Thanks speedjunkie, I thought it was forever too, but unfortunately she didnt. Boy I sure wish I had all that time and money back for wild women and fast cars LOL Too old for that the wild women, so I guess i'll play with the fast cars now lol

06-28-2014, 02:54 PM	#5
skybouncer The Newbie Join Date: May 2014 iTrader: (0) Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Thanks Frank, I seen It double posted when i went to edit the 1st post but cant delete the other or dont know how, maybe a Mod can take care of it for me. What you have said is what I found elseware on the net. I guess i dont want or cant beleive its the compression because of the power it has and how smooth it runs. I dont have a Mazda dealer close by so I looking for answers 1st. I was thinking coils to start with or maybe low battery, havent had it checked yet. Thanks for your answers.

06-29-2014, 07:31 AM	#7
JL1RX7 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Front Royal, VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 487 Rep Power: 17	You can get the uprated starter from Advanced or Napa etc. Less than two hundred bucks if you play the sales right. Look for 2K starter vs 1.5k if memory serves me right. Do a full ignition change. Plugs wires ETC. Again Advanced etc sell the coils. O'Reileys offers a lifetime warranty on them. So you can exchange them every so often. Mazda has a new version of the coils that supposedly fixes the issues. Code "C" on the coil. Prices range from about two hundred for BMD(advanced etc) coils to over three hundred for the Mazda ones. BHR coil kit is the most popular on the market. Pricey but supposedly worth it. Also do a full oil change. Mazda says 5w20 is the correct weight. Huge debate on which is better, but most feel running 5w30 or higher. If you such the webs for this debate you can read up on it and make your own choice. Gunny, you have listened to us bitch about the car enough you might as well own one. Plus now you have been stuck in one riding the Dragon. That makes you a better expert than most eight owners.