common mazda rx8 problems

[mx931]

Hey guys, im interested in buying an rx8. i was about to buy a 2005 with 40k on it, but after i read more about the car i realized how unreliable the car is.
I read that the 2006s and up are better? can any one give me more info on the engine failure?

[Flaps720]

there were a lot of issues with the 04-05's, but mazda got most of the kinks worked out for 2006. The engine itself is generally much more reliable than a piston engine, provided it is maintained properly, just be sure the common recalls/TSB's for the early models were addressed. I pm'd you with more info.

[l337fpc]

RX8 TSBs (http://www.finishlineperformance.com/store/pages.php?pageid=11)

As long as the scheduled performance is done, no worries. Remember, rotary's drink oil; its very very important to keep your oil levels up.

RX8 FAQ (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=116484)

Any other questions or concerns?

[SvicksTc]

As long as you know what you are doing and all the TSB's are up to date and you do schedule maintence the RX8 is a really reliable car...half of the problems you hear are people who buy them (a lot of females drive them) dont know there is a little extra maintence that goes into the RX8

1. Do not turn off car if it is not fully warmed up...(can cause flooding)
2.CHECK YOUR OIL *I check before longer trips* They say generally every 2 gas fill ups but i check way more then that
3."redline a day keeps the carbon away" This car is meant to be driven in the higher rpm ranges people you never get on it have issues with cats/carbon
4.regular maintence like every other car...around 40k buying used new coils/plugs are reccomended

04's-05's had some issues but i have an 04 with all the TSB's up to date with 32K miles and the thing is dead reliable...althought i dont drive the car in the winter (have a beater) it keeps the miles low the car has never given me a problem

No starting issues etc...

Dont be afraid of the rotary its not bad

Get on RX8Club.com and shift through the stuff....People are reallllly helpful (but like i said from what i see half the problems are from people not takign care of the car)

NOPSTNS will hopefully chime in he has a lot of knowledge on these cars


The only problem i have is not enough torque haha.. the car dogs low end but once it gets above 4k rpm it wakes up and its a blast to drive, handles great, the interior on the GT's is perfect

And expect HORRIBLE Gas milage haha

[l337fpc]

^+1!!

[SvicksTc]

Check out l337fpc new stance you will fall in love with these cars...

Im not 100% on this information but im pretty sure mazda extended the warrenty on the 04-05's for engine failure and for catylitic convertor failure...

like i said get on RX8club.com

[l337fpc]

Check out l337fpc new stance you will fall in love with these cars...

Im not 100% on this information but im pretty sure mazda extended the warrenty on the 04-05's for engine failure and for catylitic convertor failure...

like i said get on RX8club.com

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/l337fpc/rx8/DSC_0034.jpg

04-05 engines, cats, and transmissions are covered until 100,000mi.

[SvicksTc]

^^^Pure Sex

and i thought it was 100,000 miles and something like 80,000 miles on the cat...but i wasnt 100% sure

[willits8]

What are the TSBs? you mentioned recalls? i just bought a used 2004 a month ago so i wanna check if im missing anything

[SvicksTc]

What are the TSBs? you mentioned recalls? i just bought a used 2004 a month ago so i wanna check if im missing anything

posted above

[l337fpc]

SvicksTc,

has your airpump started to whine on you yet? and did you ever check your SSV/air box for oil coming through from your oil neck's vacuum line?

If your not getting smooth accelerations anymore, i'd pop your airbox open and check for any oil in your intake tube. If there is, you need to get your self a catch can and do the TSB for your SSV...because its robbing you of performance.

[Maxxdsix]

^^^Pure Sex

and i thought it was 100,000 miles and something like 80,000 miles on the cat...but i wasnt 100% sure
I think all cats are covered til 100k now because of some emmisions regualtion that I forget what it is called.

Like everyone said drive in the higher rpms, redline that ish.

I doubt you would want an auto, but the autos are more prone to blow up or flood then the 6spds because they dont normally get driven the way they were ment to be.

[Maxxdsix]

Oh and I forgot to say that Modifed just got one for their project car and they are doing the normal mainnace to make it more reliable first, new plugs and coils etc.

The eltrical system on these are very sensitive and can really hurt if you have bad plugs, more then a normal engine.

[l337fpc]

theres a kit from black halo racing that uses LS2 coil packs (http://blackhaloracing.com/products-page/bhr-products/bhr-ignition-system/)...its the only true plug and play upgrade for the rx8's ignition. Im running it and the car run's smoother and gets a bit better mpg.

[SvicksTc]

SvicksTc,

has your airpump started to whine on you yet? and did you ever check your SSV/air box for oil coming through from your oil neck's vacuum line?

If your not getting smooth accelerations anymore, i'd pop your airbox open and check for any oil in your intake tube. If there is, you need to get your self a catch can and do the TSB for your SSV...because its robbing you of performance.

airpump whine negative, have never checked my ssv i hear that is a long process....

I check my intake here and there and nothing so far, i run the K&N Typhoon i do want a catch can though...

i only have 38xxx on here now :cry:

[l337fpc]

im over 85,000mi now, lol. I got a weapon r one from JSCSpeed and mounted it by my battery. The SSV took me 10hrs, but it was well worth it.

idk if you can see these pics but here is before:
http://www.rx8club.com/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=19842

after:
http://www.rx8club.com/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=19841

[SvicksTc]

hot damn, 10 hrs.... i dont think that is something i would like to do without a garage haha i guess come this summer

that thing was gunked...

and another thing you live 15 mins from me and we have yet to meet up haha

[l337fpc]

hot damn, 10 hrs.... i dont think that is something i would like to do without a garage haha i guess come this summer

that thing was gunked...

and another thing you live 15 mins from me and we have yet to meet up haha

You've been saying that for like 2 years now, lol. Keep your eye on the NE rx8 forum in the rx8club, i hold monthly install meets at my house in the spring -> fall. The most 8's that have shown up were 8 8's. We've installed everything but a full suspension and a turbo kit, lol.

[SvicksTc]

You've been saying that for like 2 years now, lol. Keep your eye on the NE rx8 forum in the rx8club, i hold monthly install meets at my house in the spring -> fall. The most 8's that have shown up were 8 8's. We've installed everything but a full suspension and a turbo kit, lol.

i hardly go in rx8club anymore thats probably why, going to have to let me know on here or something because im down for that...

[l337fpc]

you got it, i'll pm you when im having a local meet at my place.

[lepichichi]

im over 85,000mi now, lol. I got a weapon r one from JSCSpeed and mounted it by my battery. The SSV took me 10hrs, but it was well worth it.

idk if you can see these pics but here is before:
http://www.rx8club.com/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=19842

after:
http://www.rx8club.com/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=19841

I just got the p2070 code, i tried zzom cleaner and it didn't work :( I'm gonna have to clean the ssv soon PITA

[l337fpc]

that sucks oscar. you'll need to get your hands on more FL-22 coolant from mazda because you have to pull coolant hoses for the SSV cleaning job.

[TalonTsi97]

Just sent you a pm with a tiny bit on a RX8 a friend of mine is looking to sell asap. Good luck with everything.