Engine & fuel system
4 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Engine coolant 'low' warning lamp ON, but level correct
Cause
Faulty engine coolant 'low' sensor.
Repair
- Fit modified engine coolant expansion tank.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Engine coolant expansion tank | N3H1-15-350L | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.
Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated after jump starting vehicle
Symptoms
Trouble codes stored: P2107, P2108, P2109.
Cause
Incorrect engine management parameters stored in engine control module (ECM).
Repair
- Re-program engine control module (ECM) with upgraded software.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Engine oil level warning lamp illuminated whilst driving with engine speed between 4500-4800rpm, even though engine oil level correct
Engine oil level sensor faulty. Fix: fit a new part.
Overview
- Affects
- All models, VIN JM1FE17**40000000-40111043.
- Remedy
- Fit new part
Repair steps
- Drain engine oil.
- Disconnect engine oil level sensor.
- Remove all bolts from engine oil sump.
- Remove engine oil sump.
- Remove sealant from engine block.
- Apply 3 - 6 mm bead of sealant to engine oil sump.
- Fit new engine oil sump.
- Tighten bolts. Tightening torque: 9 - 11 Nm.
- Connect engine oil level sensor.
- Fill engine oil to correct level.
Parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil sump | N3H8-10-4AXA | 1 |
| Silicone sealant | 8527-77-739 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.
Engine cranks slowly
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
- Remedy
- Fit new part
Symptoms
Long cranking time before starting. Starter motor not operating.
Cause
Starter motor burnt out caused by excessive engine cranking due to low engine compression.
Repair
- Carry out compression test. Repair/replace component(s) as necessary.
- Fit new starter motor.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.
Brakes
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Stop lamps not working
Symptoms
ABS/ESP warning lamp illuminated. Trouble code stored in ABS/ESP control module fault memory: B1484.
Cause
Brake pedal position (BPP) switch faulty.
Repair
- Fit new BPP switch.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.
Suspension & drivetrain
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Knocking noise from front suspension
Cause
Front anti-roll bar link rods faulty.
Repair
- Fit modified anti-roll bar link rods.
Parts2 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Front anti-roll bar link rod - RH | F1Y1-34-150 | 1 |
| Front anti-roll bar link rod - LH | F1Y1-34-170 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Clutch & gearbox
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
AT: Excessive vibration through vehicle when stationary with engine idling and transmission in gear
Symptoms
MT: Hesitation when accelerating after decelerating in 3rd gear at approx. 3000rpm.
Cause
RH engine mounting faulty.
Repair
- Fit modified engine mountings. Tighten engine mounting to bracket bolt. Tightening torque: 37 - 52 Nm. Tighten engine mounting to subframe bolts. Tightening torque: 45 - 63 Nm.
Parts4 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Engine mounting - RH | FE05-39-040 | MT |
| Engine mounting - LH | FE05-39-050 | MT |
| Engine mounting - RH | FE01-39-040 | AT |
| Engine mounting - LH | FE01-39-050 | AT |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Glossary
Technical terms used in this guide.
- ECM
- Engine control module — the electronic unit that manages the engine
- VIN
- Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
- Nm
- Newton-metres — the standard unit for how tightly a bolt is done up
- ABS
- Anti-lock braking system — stops the wheels locking under hard braking
- BPP Switch
- Brake pedal position switch — behind the pedal, it triggers the brake lights
- Trouble Codes
- Standardised fault codes stored by the engine control module, read with a diagnostic tool
- ABS/ESP
- Anti-lock braking and electronic stability programme — the system that stops the wheels locking and keeps the vehicle stable
- BPP
- Brake pedal position — the switch behind the pedal that triggers the brake lights
- RH
- Right-hand — the right side of the vehicle as you sit in it
- Anti-Roll Bar
- A bar that links the left and right suspension to cut body roll in corners
- Control Module
- A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
- Fault Memory
- The list of stored trouble codes in a control module
- Re-Program
- Update the software on a control module using the manufacturer's diagnostic tool
- Trouble Code
- A standardised fault code stored by a control module, read with a diagnostic tool
Frequently asked questions
What are the common faults with the Mazda RX-8 1.3?
This guide contains seven workshop bulletins for the Mazda RX-8 1.3. Of these, four concern the engine and fuel system and one the brakes. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.
Does every Mazda RX-8 1.3 have these faults?
No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.
Can I check for Mazda RX-8 1.3 faults myself?
Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.