Anything To Worry About On RX-8's?
Discussion
Been seeing a lot of RX-8s at VERY low prices in Mazda dealers recently, under £8000 for a sub 20,000 mile car is a billy bargain. I'm thinking it may tick all my boxes for a nice looking, 4 seater coupe, with the bonus of beiung a 4(ish) door. The only issue being the cars thirst, which can be sorted by using SHMBO's Honda Jazz for the commute & she can have the RX-8 weekdays (she cycles to work most days anyway).
Now other than the alarming appetite for oil & not great fuel economy, is there anything to worry abot on these cars?
Now other than the alarming appetite for oil & not great fuel economy, is there anything to worry abot on these cars?
Edited by TheDetailDoctor on Wednesday 26th May 14:57
I agree, they're a nice car & they do look like a great bargain - was looking at them myself.
But one thing you need to know about these cars:
"Car must NEVER be started then shut down without reaching full operating temperature or petrol washout will harm rotor seals. Car must not be used for short runs from cold."
I got this info from honestjohn.co.uk - one of the drawbacks of a rotary engine. Now we all know (don't we?) that performance car engines should be warmed up properly as often as possible before switching off. However, the occasional short trip won't kill them - but apparently it will knacker these cars!
Might be ok if it's a weekend toy - but it could be a real pain in the a*se - eg you couldn't even move it out of the garage to wash it without doing a 10 mile trip first!
But one thing you need to know about these cars:
"Car must NEVER be started then shut down without reaching full operating temperature or petrol washout will harm rotor seals. Car must not be used for short runs from cold."
I got this info from honestjohn.co.uk - one of the drawbacks of a rotary engine. Now we all know (don't we?) that performance car engines should be warmed up properly as often as possible before switching off. However, the occasional short trip won't kill them - but apparently it will knacker these cars!
Might be ok if it's a weekend toy - but it could be a real pain in the a*se - eg you couldn't even move it out of the garage to wash it without doing a 10 mile trip first!
targa_man said:
I agree, they're a nice car & they do look like a great bargain - was looking at them myself.
But one thing you need to know about these cars:
"Car must NEVER be started then shut down without reaching full operating temperature or petrol washout will harm rotor seals. Car must not be used for short runs from cold."
I got this info from honestjohn.co.uk - one of the drawbacks of a rotary engine. Now we all know (don't we?) that performance car engines should be warmed up properly as often as possible before switching off. However, the occasional short trip won't kill them - but apparently it will knacker these cars!
Might be ok if it's a weekend toy - but it could be a real pain in the a*se - eg you couldn't even move it out of the garage to wash it without doing a 10 mile trip first!
Eh?But one thing you need to know about these cars:
"Car must NEVER be started then shut down without reaching full operating temperature or petrol washout will harm rotor seals. Car must not be used for short runs from cold."
I got this info from honestjohn.co.uk - one of the drawbacks of a rotary engine. Now we all know (don't we?) that performance car engines should be warmed up properly as often as possible before switching off. However, the occasional short trip won't kill them - but apparently it will knacker these cars!
Might be ok if it's a weekend toy - but it could be a real pain in the a*se - eg you couldn't even move it out of the garage to wash it without doing a 10 mile trip first!
Ive not heard this before! And having been involved with the engines for quite a few years wouldnt say that was the case!
You do get problems with fouling the plugs if you just start them up to move them back and forth....but a simple blip of the throttle before shutting the engine off usually cures this.
You shouldnt rag the hell out of the engine before warming it up....but dont worry about the "Excessive Oil Consumption" It isnt that bad...and it is meant, designed, supposed to use oil to lubricate the tips....similar to a 2-stroke. Personally I think they use less than something like an Evo!
Go get one...great fun!!
targa_man said:
I agree, they're a nice car & they do look like a great bargain - was looking at them myself.
But one thing you need to know about these cars:
"Car must NEVER be started then shut down without reaching full operating temperature or petrol washout will harm rotor seals. Car must not be used for short runs from cold."
I got this info from honestjohn.co.uk - one of the drawbacks of a rotary engine. Now we all know (don't we?) that performance car engines should be warmed up properly as often as possible before switching off. However, the occasional short trip won't kill them - but apparently it will knacker these cars!
Might be ok if it's a weekend toy - but it could be a real pain in the a*se - eg you couldn't even move it out of the garage to wash it without doing a 10 mile trip first!
This problem is got over by reving the engine to 4-5k rpm for a couple of seconds and then turning off the ignition with the engine still going. This then through the centrifugal forces of the rotors shifts all the excess fuel out of the engine and stops you from flooding your engine. But one thing you need to know about these cars:
"Car must NEVER be started then shut down without reaching full operating temperature or petrol washout will harm rotor seals. Car must not be used for short runs from cold."
I got this info from honestjohn.co.uk - one of the drawbacks of a rotary engine. Now we all know (don't we?) that performance car engines should be warmed up properly as often as possible before switching off. However, the occasional short trip won't kill them - but apparently it will knacker these cars!
Might be ok if it's a weekend toy - but it could be a real pain in the a*se - eg you couldn't even move it out of the garage to wash it without doing a 10 mile trip first!
The only real issue with using them for short journeys is that the fuel consumption when cold is eye-watering - they run ridiculously rich while warming the cat up. Anything long enough to be considered a "journey" should be long enough to avoid any flooding issues - the cars usually flood when people shuffle their cars about on the driveway to let someone else out of the garage and then turn them off stone cold.
Make sure that they start immediately on the turn of the key, cold and more importantly, hot. Poor hot starting is a strong indicator to walk away. It isn't as if there aren't plenty of them to choose from.
Make sure that they start immediately on the turn of the key, cold and more importantly, hot. Poor hot starting is a strong indicator to walk away. It isn't as if there aren't plenty of them to choose from.
the engine flooding issues are easily avoided as already explained.
I had a 2003 rx8 which was bombproof running-wise. the problems i noted were rust on the rear boot (should have been fixed under warranty but wasn't) and the alloys corrode horribly - i got mine re-powder coated.
other than the small niggles mentioned, i loved the car.
I had a 2003 rx8 which was bombproof running-wise. the problems i noted were rust on the rear boot (should have been fixed under warranty but wasn't) and the alloys corrode horribly - i got mine re-powder coated.
other than the small niggles mentioned, i loved the car.
sherman said:
This problem is got over by reving the engine to 4-5k rpm for a couple of seconds and then turning off the ignition with the engine still going. This then through the centrifugal forces of the rotors shifts all the excess fuel out of the engine and stops you from flooding your engine.
Only time I tried that was the closest time I got to flooding mine!Message Board | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff