Two guys on the following thread are having (or had) their rotary engines completely replaced because of faulty seals leaking coolant. - http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?threadid=14267

Not a good way to launch an all-new car with an all-new engine.

 

2 out of how many?

Theres bound to be a few lemons in the bunch. I'd have to see more reports before I thought there was a big problem.

 

considering not many have been sold for one and the problem being so serious that the whole engine needed replacement so soon, I'd say its a pretty big deal.

 

I've heard of a bunch of RX8s needing major engine work becasue of different things failing.

 

If this is true, combined with the optimistic HP claim....it would really be a shame for the RX8.

 

i agree that its not a "huge" problem yet, but taking into consideration the fiasco with Mazda overrating its HP on the Rx8 and now some engines are starting to fail with under 2000 miles on them, I would have to say this not a good thing.

Bringing out an all-new car on an all-new chassis with an all-new engine is quite an undertaking and one would have to expect some major defects in the first year but anyway you cut it, its bad PR for Mazda and the new Rx8.

One could also point out the problem Mazda is having with brand new Mazda6's already showing major rust inside the door jams after less then a year too.

 

It's the damn seals AGAIN! If this does prove to be a problem in more than just a few cars than I think the RX-8 may not be around too long or a quick "redo" will be in order.

 

I think this could be really good. I think if it was my car I would have them give me all the money it costs for the engine replacement and use that toward and LS1 Swap. I think it would be fun anyone else think so?

 

I wouldn't touch that car with a ten foot pole, even if I did like it's styling or layout.

1st the overrated horsepower figures... now appart documented engine replacements... even if it is "only 2", it's not like they are selling Ford F150 numbers of these things....

 

The problem with the Rx8 is that its 1.3 Liter Renesis Rotary engine is so small and the Rx8 hoodline is so low that no other engine could fit in that engine bay.

 

It's the same as the older RX-7's but they still manage to fit a 350 under there.

 

if you believe the people on that message board from the link posted by the original poster, there are actually 4 people doing swaps or have already done swaps at this point. if you then consider that there is a small number of rx8s sold so far, and out of those only a percentage is posting on the internet (and specificly to that ONE site), then its quite alarming actually.

 

That's what he gets for buying a rotary engine.

 

Bit of trivia:
General Motors paid for liscensing and then development of the rotary engine (and related drivetrain components) in the 1970s to have a small, compact, powerful engine for it's sporty cars. You'll be surprised to learn they came to about a year or so of actually starting production!.

The only thing that stopped it was the rapidly changing emission standards proposed for the 2nd half of the 70s. In fact, the engine was only postponed at first. Fuel economy is often listed as a secondary reason, but it's related (in addition to the loss of the rotary's power advantages) to what would have been needed to clean up the emissions.

The Chevrolet Monza was engineered for rotary (why it's drivetrain hump is taller then the otherwise mechanically identical Vega), The AMC Pacer was also engineered as a rotary (and FWD), and went through extensive (and expensive) last minute re-engineering that virtually wiped out AMC as an independent (it had to rely on increasing investment from Renault). The C4 Corvette was also initially intended to use a rotary (it was initially to be replaced in the late 70s).

Yep, today's Corvette came within a few years of becoming a Rotary powered car.

 

Between leaking seals and rotor tip wear, the Wankel Rotary was a difficult engine to perfect. It killed NSU, and during the fuel crisis it almost killed Mazda. Somehow, I don't think that GM could have pulled it off in the early '70s. I would also disagree with the statement about AMC. The Pacer was disturbingly successful - a lot of people were tricked into thinking this porker was an "economy car."

Anyway, it's too soon to tar-and-feather Mazda. They already have had to derate the RX-8's motor twice (250hp...247hp...238hp?) and the car doesn't seem to be a hot seller. Come to think of it, Mazdas have never been in the same reliability league as Toyota or even Nissan. Still, the Wankel is an interesting concept, and in the RX-7 it found the perfect home. In the last generation, turbocharging even cured the irritating torquelessness that plagued previous rotaries.

Don't give up on Mazda...

At least don't give up until we see the next RX-7 and Miata.