How to Buy the BEST Mazda RX8 - Without a Compression Test!

Rotary Ressurection FAQ!

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[basC_tv_]

Exactly what I did with my RX8. Bought it at 72, 000. Rebuilt around 87, 000 (just because I was curious of the condition and how the engine works). Rebuilt it myself, fresh seals, runs perfectly. I have never done a compression test, probably wont ever. But it is such a smooth reliable car. (Broke down once because my coils failed. When I broke down I was actually on my way home to replace coils that were already waiting to be installed....)

[gwilliams]

Help in diagnosing any RX8 issues:
Starting the Engine
• Starter
• Battery
• Engine Compression
• Grounding Wires
• Ignition Coils
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• Fuel Pump
• Fuel Injectors

Generating Power at Full Throttle
• Ignition Coils
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• Engine Compression
• E-Shaft Sensor (ESS)
• Air Filter
• Intake Valving
• Throttle Body
• Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF)
• Fuel Pump
• Fuel Injectors
• Catalytic Converter (Cat)

Keeping the Engine at a Cruise
• Ignition Coils
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• Engine Compression
• E-Shaft Sensor (ESS)
• Intake Valving
• Throttle Body
• Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF)
• Fuel Pump
• Fuel Injectors
• Front O2 sensor
• Catalytic Converter (Cat)

Keeping the Engine at an Idle
• Ignition Coils
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• Engine Compression
• E-Shaft Sensor (ESS)
• Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF)
• Front O2 sensor
• Catalytic Converter (Cat)
• Intake Vaccum

Managing Engine Heat
• Radiator
• Thermostat
• Radiator fans
• Water Pump
• Coolant Lines
• Coolant Temp Sensor (ECT)
• Oil Coolers
• Oil Cooler Lines

Managing Exhaust Emissions
• Catalytic Converter
• Air Injection Pump
• Front O2 sensor
• Rear O2 sensor
• Coolant Temp Sensor (ECT)

Changing Gears
• Clutch Pedal Assembly
• Clutch Master Cylinder
• Clutch Slave Cylinder
• Clutch Fork
• Release Bearing (Throwout Bearing, Release Collar)
• Clutch Pressure Plate
• Clutch Disc
• Flywheel
• Pilot Bearing
• Transmission Shifter
• Transmission Syncros

Bringing the Car to a Stop
• Brake Pedal Assembly
• Brake Master Cylinder
• Brake Power Booster
• ABS Junction Block
• Brake Lines
• Brake Fluid
• Brake Calipers
• Brake Pads
• Brake Rotors

Providing Electrical Power
• Battery
• Alternator
• Grounding Cables

[gwilliams]

I own a 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 (only 1000 made like this in the world) . I bought it new in 2008 and now it is insured as a Classic Car for 150% of what I bought it for new in 2008, full value, no depreciation. I have owned seven rotary Mazdas since the 70's; one RX3, two RX4, all three generations of the RX7 with two of those RX7 modified by Racing Beat for the track. I easily have over a million rotary miles on street and track . Yes I have upgraded and improved my RX8, cooling modifications with Koyo-Rad radiator, Pettit Racing closed system, Racing Beat hoses, low temp thermostat, oil cooler low temp thermostats, low temp fan control, upgraded water pump, ; Mazdaspeed CAI, high performance BHR ignition coils and wires, upgraded starter, performance Cat and mid-pipe from Rotary Performance, BHR clutch pedal assembly, Series Two fuel pump upgrade, new clutch and engine (from Mazda warranty, no cost to me), new engine mounts, and a few other things. I also upgraded to Conti Contact DWS06+ tires. I will be keeping my 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 forever. Wish I could have kept them all. Nothing drives like a rotary. FYI, I use 5W-30W non-synthetic oil and yes I pre-mix. Cheers and best to you.

[paulvernon]

Owned my rx8 for nearly 15 years, at one point used it for work as a regional bowling tech here in the UK, covering 1000 miles some weeks, the cars suffer a little more here due to the shorter journeys and stop start driving, mine has had rebuilt engines (my builder at one time was world renown and has been building rotaries of all makes since the 80s, Citroen, NSU, Mazda plus others)
I have never been left at the side of the road, I do all my own maintenance and modifications and have helped out others on the UK offenders forum.
These cars are easy to look after, but that doesn't mean cheap, cheap parts as you say are the quickest way to failure.

[gwilliams]

Keeping your RX8 maintained:
RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30, 000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.


every 60, 000:
...all 30, 000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90, 000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

90, 000:
...all 30, 000, plus any 60, 000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system and any original cat are really suspect and failure prone. They represents the biggest threat to your engine. Replace.

[StefanMailey]

This is THE BEST RX8 video online. Im 45yrs old. I'v owned 2 RX7's back in the day. A RX8 7 years ago that was wrecked in a collision... Miss that car. Reason I found this video is.. My son picked up a 2004 RX8 with 60, 000 original miles on it. Stored in a garage for a while. Original family 1 owner car. The woman was 68 years old. So... I needed a refresh course on the old RX8 and searched this video. Very informative! Loved it dude! Cheers

[Pheo]

I love this channel with my whole heart. I have a friend just like you. Nobody explains this stuff so detailed and simple as you. Thank you!

[davehoffman]

Hearing your RX8 makes me feel way better about my S2. Cold starts are maybe one full rotation of the rotors before firing right now and touch the key to start when warm. We'll see how that goes this winter as it gets colder.

I didn't have it compression tested when I bought it, but it came from a family that had owned rotary engine cars since the 70s that did regular maintenance on all of them.

[fryuppe]

Thank you, RP - superb presentation. My previous RX-8 (2005, 231) developed hot start issues at 56, 000 miles. Reading the previous owners' service schedules, most had run way beyond the recommended oil change intervals. In one instance, up to 10, 000 miles. My current RX-R3 (2010, 49, 000 miles) has its oil changed at 2, 000-3, 000 miles and is redlined frequently. An absolute delight to drive, and never an issue to date. It also helps that Mazda uprated the oil injectors and starter motor on the R3. Mazda RX-8 - nothing to touch it (except, of course, an RX-7). PS: Only about 390 RX-8 R3 still alive here in the United Kingdom.

[ER-khrz]

insight on the RX8 spot on. Despite the unique maintenance and knowledge needed to maintain this car, it's such a FUN car to drive. even at ~ 20 years old.

[Soravia]

RX-8 apex seals don't break on their own. Usually side seal spring breaks down from exhaust heat due to clogged cat caused by worn out coil packs. Side seal is sent inside and breaks the apex seal.
So, upgrade or replace OE coil packs every 25k miles, spark plugs every 10k.

[c.b.]

I have had my rx8 for like 7 years. I have been through most of the problems you mentioned lol. The limp mode prolly hurt the most. Had a good friend help out though and got it solved. Omp went bad.

[themancolinmorgan]

bought mine a year ago. all it neededwas a tune up and to change, pretty much, every single type of fluid. dropped the cat, slapped on a sohn adapter, and threw in some working temp gauges. bought to drift it (dont listen to peeps that say dont do that if you just want some seat time) . first event was a couple weeks ago and its completely capable. needs some cooling mods for now and gotta fix the rear sway bar. the factory studs tend to shear. compression is a bit below 90 psi so i plan to try out my first rebuild too. that's the story so far. love the car. cant decide if i wanna make it full track anymore though. it just nice to drive. 160k on the tach and for the most part youd never know it.

[rotarycomptech]

Pineapple racing has brand new engines from Mazda Japan not rebuilt brand new for around $6500

[maciejpiekarniak]

I love that there still are new videos popping up about this car, I'm curious whether the prices will start climbing because of this, as they have with other fun cars that the internet started focusing on. Right now they are an incredible deal for what you can get them for, Especially out of the US where you can't easily find fun RWD cars for cheap

[importrgtboy]

Great content. At this point in the RX-8's lifespan there are a lot of new rotory owners because the FD and FC are expensive to most. We have 2 RX-8's and 2 FD's between my wife and I so we kind of know the importance of what you explained to everyone. I am glad that you were able to clear up almost everything new owners will ask. Keep up the good work.

[btownballer]

Every time I watch your vids bro I learn something and I love how much you enjoy this car. It's very niche but so neat. They're misunderstood and were tainted by trying to make them a civic alternative to the consumer. It's a great weekend good weather car and should have been sold as such. This car is no worse in reliability than an STI so I don't know why people hate.

[JLOT]

Looking into getting my second RX8! first one I had went 130k miles with original engine ( lost it in a flood) anyhow love your content and you’ve made me feel really good about pulling the trigger on my second !

[Unix-czkm]

Hello Rad Ranch! Love the video and always love the content. Best RX8’s out there, based on my experience paired with my friends’s experiences, is the Series 2’s. They feature higher oil pressure (they also moved the oil filter location to front cover, oil comes out nice and burning all of your hand like a REW lol), higher volume water pumps, 3 oil injectors per housing, faster starters with 14 teeth upgrade, revised auxiliary ports, fixes for the power steering reliability, stiffer body, and overall seems like better build quality. With both series, the Autos only have 1 oil cooler on passenger side. Series 1 manuals are 6-port and autos are 4 port. Series 2’s, both are 6-port, the autos lack the VFAD to raise the RPMS to 9K, along with different ECU tune. Overall I love the RX8 as my daily driver. They still didn’t fix the cracking passenger dash though…I will be putting a alcantara pad on it soon to match the steering-wheel cover so no worries there. Leather seats are really stiff, but trade off is they’re heated, great for someone with a back injury like me! Another fault affecting all RX8’s are the motor mounts that need replaced at 100K, it’ll vibrate a lot at idle in gear, and will start shaking the drivers mirror.

[falcondj]

Great video with no nonsense advice. I bought a fairly cheap one upgraded the suspension, tyres, clutch and brake pads and it has now had many fun track sessions. Actually have one at Phillip Island Australia on Wednesday. I also ended getting rid of the cat too as with a heavy dose of premix and high track RPMs it just killed it.