Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

A chance to introduce yourself...
violent_jelly
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:45 pm
RX-8: 192
Colour: Strato Blue
Location: Bristol
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

Post by violent_jelly »

Hi everybody,

So I was fooling about on eBay when I was supposed to be doing something else, and accidentally put in the winning bid for peanuts on a 2005 RX-8 in Strato Blue. After a one-way train ticket and a very enjoyable scoot back along the motorway to Bristol I now have a very cool looking car on my drive next to my Fiesta. Don't know what to do with it, but I think I'll keep it for now! Never driven anything like this before.

Service record was lost by one of the previous 7(!) keepers, but Mazda Online tells me that it had it's 60 month service at 46,000 miles including body inspection...in 2011. Mileage is currently 70,000. No idea of the condition of the machine other than:
  • it looks like there's no rust
  • definitely seeing the hot start problem (stopped for fuel on M4 and had to haunt the Gregg's counter for 20 mins :D
  • battery's dead
  • sports exhaust + induction kit = noisier ride than I'm used to!
Plan is to take a day off and bring it to RotaryMotion in Chippenham for their health check. If it's not able to fall to pieces, might put some time and effort into bringing it back to fighting form. If it's going to live, might look at becoming a paid-up member :)
These users thanked the author violent_jelly for the post:
willberry70 (Sun Feb 10, 2019 8:18 am)
User avatar
GreySilver Beast
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 64953
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 6:57 pm
Location: Somewhere in the UK
Has thanked: 1581 times
Been thanked: 365 times

Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

Post by GreySilver Beast »

Hi & :welcome: to the RX-8OC :thumleft:


Please check out the EVENTS SECTION's :thumleft: - Events Team
These users thanked the author GreySilver Beast for the post:
violent_jelly (Sat Feb 09, 2019 3:48 pm)
GreySilver Beast-Test Drives Unlimited (Nigel)
Club Member from 2006 - present
Events Team from 2015 - 2024
Events Coordinator from 2017 - 2023
Administrator from 2012 - present RX-8 Owners Club UK
Tesla M3LR AB 363 AWD " Blue Beast "
User avatar
warpc0il
Spin Doctor
Spin Doctor
Posts: 32537
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:56 pm
RX-8: 231
Colour: Lightning Yellow
Location: Groomsport, Co Down, NI
Has thanked: 444 times
Been thanked: 2080 times

Re: Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

Post by warpc0il »

What induction kit?

If it's anything other than an AEM then it will be killing power and making the engine run rough at random revs.
The K&N Typhoon is one of the worst - and they should have known better.

It could even have a role in your "hot start issue" if it's sucking hot air from the engine bay.

Much better to find and fit an original airbox and hose.
These users thanked the author warpc0il for the post:
violent_jelly (Sat Feb 09, 2019 3:40 pm)
Dave
The Spin Doctor ™
uǝǝɹɔs ɹnoʎ ʇɹǝʌuı ǝsɐǝld :ɹoɹɹǝ
User avatar
acegeezer
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 5843
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2014 1:40 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: East Coast - Lincolnshire
Has thanked: 101 times
Been thanked: 83 times

Re: Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

Post by acegeezer »

Book it in for a rebuild if you are experiencing hot-start issue, get it compression tested first of course, but what you outline is likely low compression of which there is no cure except a rebuild.. unless as Dave states, something else is affecting it, a comp test is the only way to check.
Anyway, if you got it cheaply just pencil in around 2k for a decent rebuild and you will have a crackerjack car, particularly if rust free :thumleft:
:welcome: to the rotary world and our forum ;)
These users thanked the author acegeezer for the post:
violent_jelly (Sat Feb 09, 2019 3:48 pm)
John
R3-2009 "Sparkling Black" .. Gone but never to be forgotten 8)

New kid on the block .. Renault Megane RS 265 Diamond Black 2012 .. immaculate .. and quick :thumleft: Plus Honda CRV for the Dobermanns' :D
User avatar
ChrisHolmes
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 28283
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:04 pm
Location: Cheltenham
Has thanked: 2567 times
Been thanked: 940 times

Re: Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

Post by ChrisHolmes »

Search Allsorts on here for details of the monthly meet at Cambridge, near Dursley. A couple of folks come up from Bristol each month so you talk Bristolian together.
Rotary History;

Sep 2005-Aug 2006 EO55 XOL VR 231 New
Oct 2014-Mar 2019 OE06 EWJ VR 231
Jan 2019-Jun 2020 T200 CAD Orange SC 231
Feb 2020-May 2023 RR54 AJR VR 231 Modified for Track
Oct 2020-Mar 2021 YA56 EUE Copper Red Nemesis
Jun 2022-Apr 2023 TN07 JHD KURO Resurrected
Jun 2023-Jan2024 OV09 BFF Sparkling Black R3
Avatar courtesy of my grandson Cameron
User avatar
SeeJay
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 3835
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2013 2:17 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Nottingham
Has thanked: 41 times
Been thanked: 109 times

Re: Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

Post by SeeJay »

My Simota induction kit neither causes rough running issues,nor seems to sap the power..on cool,damp days the car actually feels crisper ;)

Admittedly it's not upping the power output,but nor is it hampering the car,and having been on for over five years I think I'd know by now..

Plus,it looks good under the bonnet - and different enough for many people to ask what kit it is - with it's carbon fibre hood 8)
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
These users thanked the author SeeJay for the post:
LeeW (Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:25 pm)
2008 Sparkling Black R3 Japspeed Sportcat & Toyo Catback Drilled/grooved discs Simota Induction Kit D585 Coils Braided S/S lines Polished Engine Bay DRL's 2011 Spec Gearbox LED Side & fogs Calibre GT-R rims Michelin Pilot Sport 3 255/35 19 Nissan GTR spoiler RacingBeat ARB's Tein coilovers BHR motor mounts Amemiya Grille CL RC5 pads
User avatar
mi60o0
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 1968
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2018 12:47 pm
Location: south east London
Has thanked: 38 times
Been thanked: 116 times

Re: Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

Post by mi60o0 »

warpc0il wrote:
Fri Feb 08, 2019 7:45 pm
What induction kit?

If it's anything other than an AEM then it will be killing power and making the engine run rough at random revs.
The K&N Typhoon is one of the worst - and they should have known better.

It could even have a role in your "hot start issue" if it's sucking hot air from the engine bay.

Much better to find and fit an original airbox and hose.
I do like racing beat revi kit
LEXUS LS430 4.3 v8 family car
Done exhaust and work wheels

Mx5 nd soul red Mike daily and work horse

Jessy’s Jaguar xkr 4.2 supercharged for fun family days
User avatar
Shagrington
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Posts: 32772
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:54 am
RX-8: 192
Colour: Sunlight Silver
Location: Kent (out in the sticks - nothing urban here)
Has thanked: 266 times
Been thanked: 320 times

Re: Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

Post by Shagrington »

Hi and :welcome: violent_jelly. :) This is for if the health check turns out fine (or if not but you do get it all sorted) - Have a good read through whatever in the FAQ section you didn't already read :study: and then (and just ignore me if you know all this already) here are my best tips for keeping it all running sweetly:

1. To start up turn the key to position 2, wait for most of the lights on the dash to go out (I watch the airbag light by the glove box), press the clutch to the floor (optional, but reduces drag), turn the key to start and do not touch the throttle until it has started. You can drive off straight away, just keep the revs down for a bit (see #4 below).

2. Never [-X turn off the engine before it has reached at least somewhere towards normal operating temperature (should only take a minute or two, but best to go for a short drive if just swapping cars round on the drive etc). Switching off cold risks flooding, which is a real :censored: with a rotary engine. Mazda recommend rev to 4k and hold it for 8-10 seconds switching off while still revving if you have no option but to switch off cold (it is not necessary to do this in any other circumstance).

3. Check the oil level regularly (use the dipstick - the oil gauge tells you nothing other than that you have or don't have pressure) and top up if necessary with semi synthetic 5w30 (most people and specialists are advising to use 10w40 now though) ... small amounts at a time, no more than ½ a litre then check the level again before adding more as you don't want to overfill it.

4. Use all the revs once the engine is nice and warm (don't sit idling to warm up, start up and drive but keep it below about 4k until the needle on the water temperature gauge is pointing straight up, then give it another 10 minutes for the oil to warm up too before really thrashing it :twisted: ) and hit the beep often. Best acceleration is from 4k revs up - to pull away you really need to rev to 2k - you can let the revs drop after lifting the clutch if you are in traffic, cruising steadily at 3½k revs and changing down to go up hills or accelerate gets you the best mpg ... which still won't be great. ;)

5. Join the club for discounts on all sorts of things (you will very quickly get the cost of membership back - and then some), loads more info in the members only sections, local meets (or if you can't find one exactly local it is a good excuse for a drive if you come to one a bit further away), a sexy keyring just for joining and more. :thumright:
These users thanked the author Shagrington for the post:
violent_jelly (Sat Feb 09, 2019 3:48 pm)
'Grington.
former Club Treasurer 2010-18 (now finally retired) \:D/
Silver 192 green interior LEDS, Nordic Green hoop spoiler, roof inserts and wheels Silver Stripes (now finally retired) :cry:
violent_jelly
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:45 pm
RX-8: 192
Colour: Strato Blue
Location: Bristol
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

Post by violent_jelly »

Thanks everybody, this is a warm welcome and I reckon I'll join up. Good to be here.

The 'induction kit' I've got just looks like a big unbranded cone filter. The top of the air box is long gone and I'm inclined to agree with warpc0il that I'd be better off with the original configuration. It is just a wee bit too noisy with the sports exhaust as well. I think I see them on eBay but I'm going to read up and take my time as I know nothing about these cars and I gather that there are sensors involved.

This morning I pulled out a Bosch S4 battery that was about 4 years too old (unloaded resting voltage 7.5V = dedz #-o ) and fitted a new Varta following advice elsewhere on forum. Haven't tried to start it yet and I want to carefully follow the post-battery ECU procedure I've seen somewhere else; I see the DSC light flashing on the dash.

I let you know how it goes.
User avatar
Shagrington
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Posts: 32772
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:54 am
RX-8: 192
Colour: Sunlight Silver
Location: Kent (out in the sticks - nothing urban here)
Has thanked: 266 times
Been thanked: 320 times

Re: Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

Post by Shagrington »

Here is the ECU reset in case you couldn't find it again - and step 8 will stop the DSC light flashing viewtopic.php?f=25&t=34703
These users thanked the author Shagrington for the post:
violent_jelly (Sat Feb 09, 2019 6:21 pm)
'Grington.
former Club Treasurer 2010-18 (now finally retired) \:D/
Silver 192 green interior LEDS, Nordic Green hoop spoiler, roof inserts and wheels Silver Stripes (now finally retired) :cry:
violent_jelly
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:45 pm
RX-8: 192
Colour: Strato Blue
Location: Bristol
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Accidentally bought an RX-8 so here I am!

Post by violent_jelly »

Many thanks. OK, ECU reset successfully and after a bit of knocking and rough idle while the computer found its feet, it now idles steady at 900 RPM and it's running very smoothly otherwise.

Now that there's a proper battery fitted it starts right away when cold and needs 5 minutes rest when hot.Obviously its only going to get worse so a compression test is next and I'm going to start budgeting for the rebuild.