mazda to recall the RX8 2004 - 2006
08-23-2006, 07:00 PM
#1
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mazda to recall the RX8 2004 - 2006
http://rotarynews.com/node/view/822
MONTEREY, Calif. -- After suffering a black eye from disclosing that it won't count RX-8 owners' opinions in its internal customer-satisfaction scores, Mazda says it may have to replace the engines in many of its flagship sports cars.
The voluntary recall of all 2004 and 2005 vehicles, and some 2006s, is expected to be announced this week or next. It involves damage to the catalyst resulting from oil leaks in the RX-8's rotary engine.
Any engine that does not pass a vacuum test must be replaced, said Robert Davis, head of product development and quality at Mazda North American Operations.
Engines prone to failing the test are mostly in hot climates and use synthetic oils.
Mazda also will check each RX-8's battery and starter, which tend to fail in cold climates.
The voluntary recall of all 2004 and 2005 vehicles, and some 2006s, is expected to be announced this week or next. It involves damage to the catalyst resulting from oil leaks in the RX-8's rotary engine.
Any engine that does not pass a vacuum test must be replaced, said Robert Davis, head of product development and quality at Mazda North American Operations.
Engines prone to failing the test are mostly in hot climates and use synthetic oils.
Mazda also will check each RX-8's battery and starter, which tend to fail in cold climates.
08-23-2006, 10:47 PM
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Re: mazda to recall the RX8 2004 - 2006
Originally Posted by 2000SilverLS1
Every car has it's problems.
I'd say replacing the engines on almost all the cars made in the last 3 years is rather significant...and more than just a 'every car has it's problems' type of thing.
08-23-2006, 10:52 PM
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Re: mazda to recall the RX8 2004 - 2006
Originally Posted by lil_mikey69
That statement makes the issue seem pretty mild.
I'd say replacing the engines on almost all the cars made in the last 3 years is rather significant...and more than just a 'every car has it's problems' type of thing.
I'd say replacing the engines on almost all the cars made in the last 3 years is rather significant...and more than just a 'every car has it's problems' type of thing.
At least they're owning up to it and replacing the engines I guess, but not a good day for Mazda at any rate.
08-23-2006, 10:55 PM
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Re: mazda to recall the RX8 2004 - 2006
Originally Posted by newby
I want to know what the failure is, if it's just an issue with the car ruining cats, or what (the engine has oil dripped into it as part of the lubing process, that can't be good for a cat).
At least they're owning up to it and replacing the engines I guess, but not a good day for Mazda at any rate.
At least they're owning up to it and replacing the engines I guess, but not a good day for Mazda at any rate.
08-23-2006, 11:50 PM
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Re: mazda to recall the RX8 2004 - 2006
Originally Posted by lil_mikey69
My friend who is into imports suggest that maybe it is the apex seal...which was apparently a common failure in the older rotary engines. I don't know though.
An oil seal failure would allow excess oil into the combustion chambers however.
Apex seal life depends on the model of car. The FD motors with the twin-turbo setup did usually die at about 75k, but all of the previous NA motors apex seals lasted a long time, easily 150-200k. Even the previous turbo motor's apex seals could last that long. I'm sure notgetleft is thinking of higher horsepower motors detonating and taking out a seal, but that rarely happens in a stock car. Tuning has to be a lot cleaner on a rotary than a piston motor.
So unless there's evidence of apex seal failure on the 8 (which there may be, but the linked info didn't suggest it), they should have even less wear than previous models since the apex seal no longer has to travel over the exhaust port.
08-24-2006, 12:03 AM
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Re: mazda to recall the RX8 2004 - 2006
Originally Posted by newby
An apex seal failure would not allow excess oil into the cat, it would cause a loss of compression.
I really have no idea. I just know it's not good for Mazda. I would consider the RX-8 their 'flagship' model.
08-24-2006, 12:11 AM
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Re: mazda to recall the RX8 2004 - 2006
Originally Posted by lil_mikey69
Well the link said any engine that did not pass a compression test would replaced I really have no idea. I just know it's not good for Mazda. I would consider the RX-8 their 'flagship' model.
I really have no idea. I just know it's not good for Mazda. I would consider the RX-8 their 'flagship' model.From the rumblings I've heard though this could be the end of the rotary powered mazda line.
You're probably right about it being their "flagship" car though, but luckily they've at least got stuff like the mazdaspeed6 to fall back on. I wonder if they could make the mazdaspeed6 engine RWD and drop it in the RX-8... hm...
