What engine are you on?

project88turbo · 03-03-2008, 09:09 PM

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 · 03-03-2008, 09:32 PM

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 · 03-07-2008, 11:15 AM

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

WE3RX7 · 03-10-2008, 02:25 PM

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 · 03-13-2008, 07:50 PM

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 · 03-14-2008, 12:19 AM

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

WE3RX7 · 03-14-2008, 10:28 AM

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.

SayNoToPistons · 03-14-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

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.

Renesis · 03-17-2008, 09:34 PM

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*** · 03-18-2008, 07:01 AM

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 · 03-18-2008, 11:27 AM

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...

03-03-2008, 09:32 PM	#2
fikren Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 318 Rep Power: 18	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. __________________ 93 bb rx7 Destined to be the never ending project car or possible part source for the rotary rat rod 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX-8 - bankruptcy owned me RE-Amemiya Super Dolphin Tail Exhaust-for sale AutoExe Front and Rear Strut Bars-for sale AutoExe Member Brace Set-for sale 2008 Honda CBR600RR - bankruptcy owned me Motivation axle/fork/barend/frame sliders ASV "unbreakable" shorty levers Tripage Integrated Tailight and Adj FE Proton Fushmounts Akrapovic Hex Carbon/TI Slip On Sato Rearsets

03-13-2008, 07:50 PM	#5
I8U KONI Challenge Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Goldsboro, NC Posts: 126 Rep Power: 18	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. __________________ 04 TiGray RX8 MT, LS2 coil setup, 3" midpipe, HKS Hi-power 3" exhaust, TEIN S-Techs, Hotchkis Adj F/R sways, K&N Typhoon V2, Steel braided brake lines, Redline drivetrain fluids, ATE Super Blue brake fluid, Cobalt XR2/GTS brake combo, MB Motorpsorts Weapons 18x9 +45 offset, 275/35's I Support the KONI Sports Car Challenge!

03-14-2008, 12:19 AM	#6
josh18_2k Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gresham, OR Posts: 473 Rep Power: 18	this is just sad. NA rotaries are supposed to last, but not anymore? __________________

03-17-2008, 09:34 PM	#9
Renesis ~Mazda~Girl~ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 51 Rep Power: 18	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. __________________ ~~Jennifer~~ 2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata LS

03-18-2008, 07:01 AM	#10
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	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. __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny Last edited by Herblenny; 03-18-2008 at 07:04 AM.

03-03-2008, 09:09 PM	#1
project88turbo The Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nathalie, VA Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	What engine are you on? 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 __________________ The User formally known as Project87GXL on teamfc3s.org/rx7club/nopistons. 88 Turbo RotaryResurrection SP, SSAutochrome S4 manifold, HKS BOV pipe & filter adapter, Greddy BOV, 3" TID, RA 2-Stroke OMP adapter, 2751 block off plates, Venom 720cc secondaries, Rtek 1.7, ACT Streetlite FW, XTD clutch, Magnaflow Hi-flow Cat, RB Non-turbo Catback

03-07-2008, 11:15 AM	#3
Pink Flea Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 85 Rep Power: 18	Im on my first engine (knocking on wood until knuckles bleed). I have a MT 04 with exactly 111025 miles on her.

03-10-2008, 02:25 PM	#4
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 19	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!

03-14-2008, 10:28 AM	#7
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 19	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.

03-18-2008, 11:27 AM	#11
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 19	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...