Dear Mr. Lamar:

  Autoblog.com just came out with an article about Mazda's commitment
  to the rotary engine:
 http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/21/report-mazda-rotary-reportedly-at-least-a-year-behind-schedule/

  Here is a quote from it:  "'We will never give up,' says Mitsuo Hitomi,
  general manager of Mazda's power train division, referring to the
  automakers long-running investment into the rotary engine."

  If only those idiotic emissions rules could get turned around,
  and people could understand that rotaries need to use oil,
  like 2-stroke piston engines!

  I'm still rooting for you and for the Wankel rotary engine!

  Yours,

  Les Nordman

  Good news indeed. Perseverance is one of the noblest
  of human traits.

  I mix 1/2 ounce per gallon 2 cycle oil with the
  fuel in my RX8 and it still passed the smog test with flying colors.

  Here is the full text.

  "We will never give up," says Mitsuo Hitomi, general manager of
  Mazda's powertrain division, referring to the automaker's
  long-running investment into the rotary engine. This vote of
  confidence in Felix Wankel's replacement for displacement will
  surely come as welcome news to rotor-heads the world over, but
  that doesn't mean there aren't problems in World of Wankel.

  Apparently, the so-called 16X engine, which is the latest take
  on the pony-keg-sized engine that spins into the stratosphere,
  is failing to meet emissions requirements set by the engineering
  team at Mazda, despite the fact that it is 30 percent more fuel
  efficient than the previous Renesis rotary. Impressively, Hitomi
  stated that the 1.6-liter 16X is slightly more fuel efficient
  than the automaker's standard 2.0-liter gas engine.

  It would seem that the rotary's well-known thirst for fuel has
  at least partly been quenched, but until the 16X is tuned to hit
  its emissions targets we can expect it to stay in the
  engineering department and off the showroom floor. So, when
  might we see a new rotary-powered machine from Mazda? "Maybe
  within two years we can tell you when we will introduce it to
  the market," responds Hitomi.

  Now, let the debate continue as to what kind of body and
  platform that engine will be featured in...
 ------------------------------------------------------------


  Paul Lamar

 Les,
 Did you know that if you mix 1% of biodiesel in with the  two
 cycle fuel the engine doesn't need two cycle oil?  I have been
 doing it for years on my weed eater. Of course it only gets 30
 hours of use per year. The exhaust smells like fried foods.   I
 am hopeful that Mazda is trying the blend on their engines. AGE
 bioethanol aviation fuel uses biodiesel in the mix as well.  It
 is a documented lubricant for the rings.  Biodiesel is a no
 brainer to make at home, wash and filter to professional
 standards.  And NO sulfur.   Good fit with ethanol. The local
 town processor just hit the  50,000 liter BDF production mark
 last month.

 Mazda Corp. marketing correctly reasoned that unless the rotary
 outshines the piston engine in fuel performance,  even if it is
 only for a short time,  they are always going to be fighting its
 detractors,  engineers both within Mazda and on the outside.

 The rotary engine guys within Mazda are some really determined,
 hard core, stubborn son of a guns.  I love em.

 Doug in Japan.


" It is a documented lubricant for the rings."

Piston or Onion?  ;-)

Mark S.

Doug, I think any kind of vegetable oil would turn to
crap at the 500 F temperatures found in the vicinity of the
apex seals. Put a tablespoon full in a metal container
and cook it in the oven at 500 F for a half hour.

Paul Lamar