04 RX-8 tapping

[central]

I was noticing after my 04 warms up it sounds like it's tapping. Checked oil the car is not burning oil at all half a dipstick for two months. Is this normal? I don't know very much about the rotary engine.

 

[solidtrance]

How many miles?
How long have you had the car?
Any mods?
When do you hear the tapping (ie idle, turning, etc)?
What does the tapping sound like (plastic on metal, metal on metal, etc)?
Does it change with the engine speed?
Does it change when you turn on the heat or AC?
Where does is the sound coming from?
What model (sport or GT) and type of trans do you have?
Has any maintenance or mods been done recently?

The car should be burning a little oil, but the amount depends on how many miles you are putting on it and how hard you driving it. My initial guess is that the fan it making contact with its cover. That would explain the tapping only when its hot since the fan is not running when the car is cold.

 

[central]

It has 49,232 miles
Since the beginning of December
no mods that I'm aware of
starts tapping after it's been idling and warmed up. It doesn't tap when I'm driving or i can't here it.
It sounds like a regular car tapping when the car is low on oil or needs a valve job.
The sound goes away when the engine is revved or you start driving
didn't notice if it goes away with heat or a/c on
sound is coming from the engine
It's the sport model with 4 speed auto
no maintenance done. only checked over by a Mazda dealer before i bought it.
You maybe right about the fan I'll check. I'm in NY so it's a bit cold on start up.
I haven't put a lot of miles on it because of the weather about 1, 200. Took your recommendation about the blizzack's, But I did stay with the 18" tires instead of going with the 17". Thanks for the heads up.

 

[solidtrance]

I am going ot stick with the fan theory. I think I have an idea of the "valve tapping" type sound that you are talking about. I would bet you could still hear it standing in front of the car with the hood up if you have someone else rev the car up slightly, its just not noticable when you are in the car as you mentioned. Poke around with a flashlight under the hood with the car running and see if you can figure out where the sound is coming from. If its not the fan shroud post some more info here and we will try to help.

However since you have 50K and no maintenance history I would recomend you do a few easy maintenance jobs before too long. Change out the plugs and coils. Do the trans fluid and diff oil, and seafoam (if you believe in it, I do but others think its "snake oil")

BTW, I use snow tires mounted on my oem rims as well, no problems going that route.