Rx8 Power Steering Stops Working but Then Works Again All the Time

RX8 Engine Introduction

E'er since its initial inception, Mazda's rotary engines accept been a fan favourite. It was thought up as an culling to the reciprocating piston engine. In fact, to this date, it has been the simply other commercially plausible engine blazon. Granted, only Mazda believed it, as it's the merely surviving manufacturer to develop and utilize contemporary rotary engine designs.

• Facts & Stats
• Tuning & Upgrades
• Big Ability
• Common Problems
• RX8 vs RX7

People love the rotary engine for its naturally enthusiast-centric demeanour. Lightweight, unproblematic, and rev-happy. It's besides immensely efficient at producing horsepower for its small displacement. Of course, at that place'due south besides the huge aftermarket available for the 13B, the almost beloved of the rotaries. It'south also an engine that responds very well to forced induction, much to the joy of RX7 enthusiasts.

The rotary engine also contributed to the cool-gene of the exceptional Mazda Cosmo. And if it wasn't for the rotary engine, Mazda wouldn't have built their Le Mans legacy in the form of the stupendous 787B.

Thus, it'due south fair to say that if Mazda hadn't adopted the rotary engine, it wouldn't have garnered equally big a fanbase. Anyone who wanted the rotary experience had to buy a Mazda. This, understandably, has driven the prices of classic rotary Mazdas way up.

If one wanted an affordable, easy to find entry into the rotary world, you only accept one choice – await upward your classifieds and find an RX8 for sale. The RX8 is a bit of a black sheep in the rotary family, and there are reasons for it.

The 13B-MSP (multi-side ports), or colloquially referred to as the RENESIS, was introduced alongside in the production RX8 back in 2003. And initially, people loved the engine. In fact, the RENESIS fifty-fifty received multiple awards for its innovative design and surprising efficiency.

1 big affair that people quite liked in the RENESIS is its efficiency. Being naturally aspirated, information technology didn't produce comparable power or torque to its predecessor. However, to combat that, Mazda first redesigned the housing ports. This reduced overlap, thus increasing the engine's effective pinch ratio, improving output and efficiency.

Secondly, Mazda developed a different way to seal the rotors featuring depression-superlative apex seals. This contributed to less parasitic friction, thus allowing for more ability to be squeezed without burning as much fuel.

This meant that while the RENESIS is rated by Mazda at just i.3-litre, it produces considerable power. It is also quite versatile in its output. In fact, the RENESIS came in configurations ranging from 189 to 238 horsepower with 216 Nm of torque.

Of form, the ability output isn't the main focus of the RENESIS. The master goal of the RENESIS is to address the result plaguing Mazda's existing rotary engines – emissions. They managed to coax xviii MPG and 267 g/km of CO2 out of the engine. It wasn't outstanding, but at least it coped with the increasingly stringent emissions standard internationally.

More chiefly, the revised blueprint of the RX8's engine enabled a naturally aspirated design. The RX8 isn't meant to exist a successor to the RX7. It's a new model by Mazda congenital to appeal to younger prospects. The naturally aspirated nature made power commitment satisfactory, yet linear and predictable.

It besides helped Mazda keep the weight down in the RX8. This proved important, as even without the complex sequential turbocharging system of the 13B-REW, the RX8 withal ended up weighing 1.3 tonnes. That'due south over 100 kg heavier than the RX7.

By ditching any sort of complications, Mazda maintained a most l-50 weight distribution in the RX8. The tiny packaging of the RENESIS immune it to exist mounted before the front axle, thus achieving a front-mid engine layout in the RX8. Crucial to the RX8's well-regarded handling characteristics.

With all that said, it's precisely the same modifications Mazda made to the engine that fabricated enthusiasts apprehensive. The lack of manufactory forced induction with a vastly different engine design meant that a new aftermarket must be nurtured.

For nigh rotary enthusiasts, the 13B-REW is a more attainable and convenient performance pick. Fifty-fifty by the stop of the RENESIS's life, the aftermarket isn't quite comparable to the turbocharged 13Bs.

With that said, this doesn't mean that the RENESIS isn't tinkered with. Any rotary engine is honey past the rotary oversupply for their polarising amuse. And enthusiasts are e'er intrigued to experiment to run into how far they tin can push an engine.

Mazda 13B-MSP (RENESIS) Facts and Stats

The RENESIS came in dozens of configurations. It's mainly dependent on the transmission and purpose of the engine. In fact, information technology'due south quite surprising how flexible the RENESIS is.

4-port & half dozen-port

Initially, the RX8 came with ii different power outputs bachelor. Y'all either went with the standard 4-port standard output or the 6-port high output variant. Power is rated at 189 and 237 horsepower respectively. The former came with a v-speed manual and 4-speed automated, while the latter was just available with a half-dozen-speed manual.

Intriguingly, every bit of 2006 AT RX8 models ditched the 4-speed automatic. In lieu, Mazda designed a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifting for the engine. This allowed Mazda to revise the engine variant, offering 212 horsepower in this configuration.

All RENESIS variants produce 216 Nm of torque, and its torque y'all have to rev for. Interestingly, in the United kingdom, the automated variant was never offered. By 2008 in the facelift model, the standard variant was forsaken altogether. These post-facelift RX8s are known every bit the RX8 S2.

Moreover, with the 2008 facelift came numerous development improvements. Shorter ratio transmission, reinforced chassis, and revised suspension geometry. The engine received a third oil injection port at both housings. This is to feed oil to the middle of the rotor face.

Electric Metering Oil Pump (EMOP)

A newly designed oil pump is fitted equally well. With that came increased lubrication organization pressure with a new oil filter design. Mazda too took the opportunity to develop an Electrical Metering Oil Pump (EMOP) that replaces the existing mechanical i. This allows for more precise control to lubricate the apex seals.

Catalytic Converter

Critically, Mazda fitted the revamped RENESIS with a new catalytic converter. It had reduced bottleneck problems which is a major oversight in the beginning generation RENESIS. It shouldn't go without saying that if yous desire an RX8, stick with the Series 2s.

Exhaust Port Pattern

The big thing that Mazda changed in the RENESIS is its port blueprint. The older 13B-REW featured peripheral frazzle ports. The new 13B-MSP instead uses side frazzle ports. This effectively eliminated overlap. The lack of overlap improved emissions and depression-cease torque of the RENESIS.

Reverting to side ports meant that the RENESIS flows less exhaust book than the 13B-REW. Mazda combats this by introducing two frazzle side ports per rotor, thus really increasing the port area for the exhaust. Delayed exhaust port opening lengthened thermal expansion cycle and thus improved thermal efficiency. The port design also retained some unburned gas within the bedchamber for reignition.

Intake Ports

Migrating to side ports granted more freedom in optimising the intake port. Both the four and 6 port RENESIS have ~thirty% larger intake port expanse than its predecessor. Mazda too delayed the intake port closing time to allow for greater intake volume. In the 4-port, yous take 2 intake ports per rotor; in the 6-port, there are additional auxiliary ports.

Sequential Dynamic Air Consecration System (S-Dais)

To really capitalise on the improved engine airflow, the RX8 implements a complicated intake system. Named the Sequential Dynamic Air Induction System (Southward-Dais), it'southward a adequately complex intake manifold designed to harness every bit of the RENESIS's charging volume. The vi-port will be referred to from here on.

The manifold has 5 valves in total, with an additional variable fresh air duct. Ane is for variable dynamic intake upshot (VDI), the other 4 are secondary and auxiliary intake valves respectively. It operates over 5 stages, as eminent from the photograph below.

The VDI valve is betwixt the four master intake runners. It only operates at WOT 7,250 rpm to facilitate quicker intake pressure charging. This VDI effect substantially pressurises and forces the air into the RX8'due south engine. It opens at five,750 rpm in the iv-port. This VDI effect essentially lengthens the manifold for better mid-cease torque.

Interestingly, the additional variable fresh air duct is exclusive to the 6-port variant. At 5,500 rpm the air duct opens to reduce the air travel distance. The exhaust side is much simpler, but Mazda has designed a high-flow, virtually straight-through exhaust system to reduce menstruation resistance.

Flywheel Weight

Considering the half-dozen-port has to rev much higher (8,500 rpm!) for its ability, work has been washed to brand it as effortless as possible. Mazda reduced the weight of each rotor by 5% through material reduction. The flywheel weight is reduced by 15%.

Injectors

Sufficient, accurate, and prompt fueling is imperative for the rotary engines. In the RENESIS Mazda incorporated 6 injectors total, iii per rotor. They're injected in stages with 2 primary injectors and 1 secondary injector per rotor. The facelift RENESIS however reverted to a 4 injector design, with ane primary and 1 secondary per rotor.

Electronic Throttle Torso

An electronic throttle torso is used for a tweakable throttle profile. This essentially allows the ECU to manipulate engine torque in response to route conditions and driver demand. In that location are 2 spark plugs per rotor for a more consummate combustion process.

All of the measures taken above are to realise a more responsive, rewarding driving experience. People report that the RENESIS actually has more low-finish punch than they were expecting. This is no dubiety thank you to Mazda's optimisation for daily drivability.

The most impressive quality of a rotary engine is its relative simplicity. This means that the RENESIS with all of its ancillaries weighs merely 112 kg. Non bad for the amount of power it's putting out.

Technical Data (pre-facelift):

13B-MSP RX8 Engine Tuning & Upgrades

It's often recommended that you don't attempt to alter your RX8's engine if you don't acknowledge the consequences. The RENESIS fifty-fifty when stock is a enough capable engine, providing a balance between reliability and performance.

Y'all might question why since conventionally Japanese sports cars are well-known for existence mod-friendly. However, the RENESIS is different. It'due south decidedly expensive to alter while providing less in return than its peers.

The matter is, in its naturally-aspirated configuration, Mazda has done an incredible task at extracting ability from the RENESIS. I'yard here to provide you with an overview of your options only. Yous're still advised to enquiry the mods you're virtually to practise thoroughly beforehand.

It'southward worth noting that you can expect more or less the same yield from Serial 1 and 2 RX8s. In many areas, the facelift and pre-facelift engines are identical. Also if your RX8's engine is even so covered, tinkering around with information technology more often than not gives a reason to nullify the warranty.

Performance Intake

Where most people start modding their car. Because Mazda has spent so much fourth dimension on the RX8's intake system R&D, aftermarket intake systems aren't necessarily worthwhile.

The consensus is that the default intake system in the RX8 is stellar. There are merely two aftermarket common cold air intakes worth your while. One by AEM and the other by Mazdaspeed. These are in truth the same cold air intake with different branding on them.

You can find the AEM cold air intake arrangement for effectually $400 new. The master reason that it makes ability is that information technology's a genuine cold air intake. It relocates the Renesis's fresh air intake to the bumper, in forepart of the radiator. AEM reports a return of 8 boosted horsepower at ~7,000 rpm with their common cold air intake.

What causes well-nigh aftermarket common cold air intake to lose power is due to the MAF sensor placement. The stock air intake has a straight catamenia into the MAF sensor with a mesh screen in forepart for laminar flow and well-nigh common cold air intake systems fail to maintain that. It can cause the MAF sensor to provide subpar readings, so the ECU delivers inaccurate fuel and ignition timing.

An alternative to the AEM system is the Racing Trounce REVi intake. It's engineered to introduce too much suction noise while existence an improvement over stock. Price is around the same equally the AEM system. You can await an increase of 5-6 horsepower about redline.

A valid reason to supersede the stock air intake arrangement is to increase the intake noise. Stock intake systems tend to muffle intake dissonance for refinement. Changing to an aftermarket common cold air intake will remedy that. Too, there will be broader access for maintenance work when you ditch the clunky stock airbox.

The Thousand&Due north drib-in filter offers trivial improvement over the stock filter. Its filtering capability might too be inferior to the stock filter, with some reports of strange particles slipping through and destroying the engine. Non quite worth the money.

Performance Exhaust

If you're looking to make more than power, the frazzle is where you'll desire to look. In the RX8, the main frazzle chokepoint is the catalytic converter. The stock exhaust system flows plenty for the originally intended output.

Therefore, if yous're looking for power, you'll be tackling the mid-piping. And the nearly recommended mid-piping for the RX8 is the BHR single-resonated mid-pipe. It has no packing fabric to fail, it'due south congenital well and it actually controls the drone and raspiness of the RENESIS.

Take note that most mid-pipes volition eliminate your catalytic converter. Most aftermarket catalytic converters won't exist durable enough for the RENESIS, and it'll probable fail emissions in the finish. So if you lot must accept a cat, you're essentially stuck with the original Mazda offering.

Otherwise, it's a scrap complicated. If you intend to go a tune, then a practiced long-tube header is the way to get. The main point is to remove whatever frazzle restrictions. Practice get your exhaust estrus-shielded since the RENESIS runs very hot. BHR makes them, and it's $one,600.

If y'all rather keep the air injection system of your stock exhaust though, then Racing Shell produces a drop-in replacement stainless steel header. Power proceeds would be minimal, but it weighs much less than the stock system. It also maintains the stock catalytic converter if needed.

For the catback, it'south more than of a personal preference. A catback system significantly alters the RENESIS's frazzle feature. Y'all'd take to practice your ain research to run into which one suits your gustation more.

ECU Tuning

Once you've made all these supporting mods, an ECU tune will suitably cap information technology off. You'll end up with a delightful RX8 with more than poke and grapheme for B-route thrashing.

There are 2 main methods for tuning your RX8 while retaining the stock ECU. MazdaEdit and VersaTuner, both work for S1 and S2 RX8s. Piggybacks or methods that try to 'fob' the ECU (such as ECU chips) are insufficient. The stock ECU figures things out chop-chop and will negate these tunes quickly.

COBB AcessPORT used to be feasible, but at present they've dropped support for any naturally-aspirated cars. It also only works with the Serial 1 ECUs, the S2s are too different.

Be sure that you find someone that is a specialist in rotaries and familiar with the RENESIS. Tell your tuner everything that you've done to your automobile beforehand. Prices depend on your area and your method of tune. Generally, you can await a proceeds of ~10 horsepower, depending on your RX8'south mods.

Miscellaneous Mods

There are besides modifications that don't impact engine output at all simply can provide a sportier driving experience. If you want to better engine response with minimal drawbacks, then a lightened flywheel is the way to go.

Lightened Flywheel & Pulleys

When you change the flywheel weight, you are influencing the inertial balance of the drivetrain. Less weight to rotate means the engine revolves easier. However, momentum is also reduced. So your engine revs and loses its revolutions quicker. This noticeably improves the engine'southward feel for spirited driving.

However, there are some instances where more inertia is ameliorate. More than inertia tin can in upshot make the car easier to drive. The outcome of a steep colina is much more pronounced with a lightened flywheel, and starting from a stop will be trickier. Those are generally things you can get effectually by being more skillful with your clutch though, but you lot may put more wear on your clutch as a event.

The less recommended method to lighten your rotational weight is via the pulleys. Converting to lightweight aluminium pulleys are by and large inconsequential while underdriving your ancillaries take their own adverse touch on. The A/C compressor is ane you can afford to underdrive though. It's a major parasitic bleed, and even when underdriven you still have air-conditioning, just not efficacious.

Due to the nature of a 2-rotor engine with an eccentric shaft, the main pulley is as well very light from the mill. Therefore, at that place's no need to supersede it.

Big Power

If yous're looking to really button the limits of your RENESIS, then forced induction is where yous must await. Information technology's a huge topic to cover, and it alone deserves an article. If yous're peachy to turbocharge (turbo kits), supercharge or even go for nitrous, have a thorough read here and hither get-go. If yous are looking to swap the engine on your RX8 we accept a guide for that also. A lot of people choose for an LS engine swap, read our detailed guide before you become down this road.

In that location's also the possibility of porting the RENESIS for more overall charge flow. Fifty-fifty now porting RENESIS engines are by and large experimental. Racing Beat does offer a street port template for the RENESIS for potential DIY porting. If you desire it done properly though, there are experts with CNC machining methods that can carry out porting jobs. Span and full peripheral porting accept likewise been washed on the RENESIS.

RX8 Engine Reliability & Common Problems

Here'due south the truth, the RENESIS isn't exactly known for its reliability. The engine itself is really quite dependable. However, it's built with a few major pattern oversights that now contribute to its infamy for unreliability.

If yous programme to run your RENESIS by 100,000 miles, be prepared to carry out meticulous preventative maintenance. Afterwards all, while the RX8 is an affordable car, it's notwithstanding a sports car. Sports cars tend to demand more attending from the owner.

Early on RX8s rapidly gained notoriety due to inadequate oiling within the rotor. This accelerated wear and caused premature engine failure. Later on ECU flash revisions remedied this upshot. That'south only function of the story, however.

Ignition Coils

Early on, people didn't know how often the RENESIS's ignition coil failed. Come across, there are 4 coils for 4 plugs, but in a rotary engine, these coils all fire 3 times per revolution. The ignition coils just aren't durable enough for the RENESIS.

But, these coil troubles are misdiagnosed oft, and dealers ofttimes ended upward replacing the engine under warranty. Those supposedly 'expressionless' engines are then rebuilt into remanufactured engines. And those had horrifying quality control with their own faults. So at present early RX8 owners now received a poorly rebuilt engine with tons of bug. They recollect that the RENESIS just isn't reliable.

Compression

Therefore, it's recommended that earlier y'all buy an RX8, practice a compression test. Information technology's a quick manner to determine health and run from engines with poor pinch.

Oil – 3,000 Miles Per Alter

More that, the RENESIS is simply an engine that needs a lot of budget and attending to be reliable. Most importantly, employ quality oil, only fully synthetic isn't necessary. Frequent oil changes are much more important though, with most owners recommending around iii,000 miles per change. Rotaries burn oil to lubricate its numerous rotor seals, then it's critical to feed the engine fresh oil all the fourth dimension.

Fuel Flooding

Also, the RENESIS is known to be prone to fuel flooding. This is ordinarily due to weak electric components causing the engine to not creepo over quickly enough. Thus fuel speedily accumulates and wash out the rotor. Weak ignition components are common culprits, and so replace your coils, HT leads, and plugs every 30,000 miles. They can fail sooner than xxx,000 miles, admitting it's rare.

Cooling

Adequate cooling is absolutely imperative for the RENESIS. It's an engine that produces lots of heat. Any failed cooling arrangement components tin crusade rapid engine failure. The stock gauge cluster coolant temperature needle doesn't motility by the middle until the engine is overheating (~115C). Buy an OBD2 gauge to more than accurately monitor your engine for cheap.

Information technology's recommended that you lot employ the Mazda FL-22 coolant, flushing it every 2 years or every threescore,000 miles. Otherwise, perform annual coolant flushes. Timely coolant flushes prolong component life. Regardless, they fail with fourth dimension. Thermostats neglect often, and those are effectually $70. The uprated 78C thermostats are recommended for more headroom. Too low and the CEL volition light up.

Catalytic Converter

Another of import failure indicate is the catalytic converter. Poor ignition systems dump unburnt fuel into the cat, which clogs it very quickly. A clogged cat causes heat to localise upstream. This can result in a failed O2 sensor, cooked rotor seals, accelerated oil wear, overworked cooling organisation.

With all that said, if you keep on superlative of your RX8's maintenance, the RENESIS can prove to exist quite robust. That said, you should definitely requite this and this thread a read through to really grasp the whole RX8 ownership experience.

RX8 Engine VS RX7 Engine

If you've read through the article, you should know the differences between the RENESIS and the 13B-REW already. In fact, despite being in the same family, both engines are vastly different. Transplanting the 13B-REW into an RX8 is not equally straightforward equally you lot might think because of that.

For one, the exhaust and intake systems in both engines differ massively. The oil injection is different. Rotor sealing methods are different. Rotor housing dimensions are different. Most parts aren't shared between the two engines.

Mostly, the 13B-REW is perceived every bit a stronger, better-built engine for modifications. Due to the RENESIS'due south emphasis on keeping weight minimal, Mazda went with questionable design choices. For one, the apex seals are thinner and smaller and the housing quality is dubious at best.

As the 13B-REW is turbocharged, Mazda engineered the engine to endure greater combustion pressure. The RENESIS is never meant to be turbocharged. Just even as an NA engine it puts out comparable output to the 13B-REW.

The truth is that both generations accept their fair share of issues including the R3. The complicated sequential turbos introduced dozens of vacuum hoses that can cause turbo-related issues if disregarded. And nigh everything of RENESIS maintenance can be applicable to the 13B-REW too.

If you lot desire an enjoyable, linear performance with a bit of headroom for light mods, the RENESIS is ideal. Nevertheless, if you like the feel of a rewarding, turbocharged engine with stages of power, the 13B-REW is recommended. The 13B-REW is more than conducive for major ability mods too.

RX8 Engine Conclusion

The RENESIS is often unfairly judged as a flawed engine plagued with reliability concerns. Yet, nearly of the reliability issues are attributed to early design flaws and ignorance that have since so granted the RX8 a woefully negative stigma.

If you care for your RX8 like a sports auto and provide maintenance and intendance as such, so information technology's a surprisingly well-engineered motorcar with a worthy powertrain. And there are too many RX8s sold for it to raise in price anytime soon, so information technology'due south an affordable entry into the sports motorcar world with an enthusiast-axial engine. Once you accept tuned your RX8 up, you might want to find the best RX8 body kit for your car, read our guide.

If yous enjoyed the RX8 engine guide and then consider learning more well-nigh the Honda Spoon engines.

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Source: https://www.motorverso.com/rx8-engine/

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