Problem: I was driving on the highway last night, I was going about 75 mph and then I went to downshift into 5th gear because I was getting off an exit. As soon as I downshifted I had loss of power and a deeeep sputtering sound the car would jus barly move if I gave it gas then if I let off it would stall. I also had a Flashing CEL light which I know means misfire. I then Tried to start the car again and it turns over and sounds like it almost catches and starts but then just dies.

Weather Conditions: It was 7:02 in the eveing and it was 19 degrees out side, and clear.

Recent Upkeeping: Last weekend I topped off the oil, Checked the coolant levels, replaced four ignition coils, and put on the Racing Beat ignition wires on, cleaned the RB Revi intake, and put in a new battery, also full tank of Shell V-Power gas.

I take very good care of this car, I have many things done to it and done correctly. My car is an 04 MT with 58,984 miles on it. i bought the car new. I have the warrenty on the car but since I have all those things on there they will most likly void my warrenty. So I am asking so some general input for the time being, I am also pulling the codes within the next 3 hours so I will have specifically what is wrong with it and then get advice for that.

Bottomline: Need help, Hate the dealership = ASSHOLES!

Thanks a ton guys...

put the stock parts back on and take it to mazda.....maybe one or your wires fell off or something like that....

Random questions

Did you over-rev on the down shift?

Have you checked that the RB wires are properly snapped in place?
Also you should check the connectors on the coils

You didn't mention plugs...?

Did you at least get to the dealer for the recall flash update?

I did not over rev on the downshift, I have checked the wires like thre and four times...lol, I just put them on like two days ago, I will check the connectors on the coils, and no I didnt put new plugs in yet I have them I just couldnt get them loose or to even move so I was going to take it to midas to a buddy of mine that works there to do it for free. ....I have know idea where to even check for a recall flash, but i keep every service record for my car so is it on that paper work....?

If your dealer updated the flash revision in you car then it should be listed.
Check your paperwork from the engine check recall.

ok...I will do that and I will get back to you guys when I get the code....I am doing that in about 30 mins....

check to make sure plugs are tight to motor..

wires to coils and plugs are tight..

also it might be fuel pump time.. i just went through this...

beers :beer:

if your location is clifton, nj why not just take it to wayne...they are pretty good and should be able to fix it....

OK Guys here are the codes....

- p0171- System too Lean
(Bank 1)
-p0302- Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
(pending)
I got another p0171- System too Lean
(Bank 1, Pending)

Any insight would be great, and I live in Clifton, Ohio ...lol...not NJ.

plug wires and revi should not void your warantee....this is something in my opinion should be fixed by the dealer....and if they said your mods voided the warantee then the burden of proof falls on them and not you on the how part......

Does anyone know specifically what those codes could mean.....i.e- spark plugs, fuel pump, fuel injectors....

I have done to my car

-Revi ram air intake
-RB plug wires
-four new coils
-catless midpipe
-greddy sp2 exhaust
-AP underdrive pulley

its strange how similar our issues are. i had almost the exact same thing happen to me, last night. except i didnt downshift. during highway speed (80 or so) motor just bogged down, shut off, and wont restart. i just got back from changing the plugs, still wont start. i have spark and fuel. so i'm assuming the motor is dead at 29xxx miles. good luck with yours, i'm getting mine towed in the morning. i have an intake, full exhaust, and thats it. i believe theyll try to void my warranty as well.

Well 06carbon8 let me know how things go, did you pull any of the same codes as I did? Because the misfire codes sound like a spark plugs, fuel pump, or fuel injectors....so I am curious to see what they say....let me know man.

alright, ill keep you updated. i doubt ill even have a car after tonight, its sitting on the side of the interstate so itll probably either get plowed by a truck or stripped. we'll see in the morning.

OK Guys here are the codes....

- p0171- System too Lean
(Bank 1)
-p0302- Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
(pending)
I got another p0171- System too Lean
(Bank 1, Pending)

Any insight would be great, and I live in Clifton, Ohio ...lol...not NJ.

that suck.. You may have lost a seal. Get a compression test done.

Do I have to go to the dealership for the compression test? I am trying to avoid the dealership if at all possible. And are you talking about an apex seal, and if that is the case is the engine done?

you can get a compression tester from the auto store and remove the check valve. your compression should be 80+ .

Yes the apex seal..

If it is your seal then yes the dealer will replace your engine(put it all back to stock).

Sry for all my questions, but where is the check valve? and how do I go about doing this. I am eager to learn how to do this stuff, and I want to save money also I did a search for a DIY and I couldn't find anything....

most compression tester will have a check valve install. but our engine in a sense have three chamber(3 seal) . by removing the check valve will allow you get the reading.

Google it.. Use the spark plug hole :) <-- should get you started.

before you do all that. As someone has mention earlier. Check your coils and make sure you have it wired correctly.
Check to make sure the spark plug wires is going to the correct coil.
Make sure the plug wires are not touching.

Go back and try to re-start it.
Don't let the state tow it.

Maybe you went into limp mode.

a completely dead battery will kill the car like you described it, but I highly doubt that is it.


Re-check your installation.

just went through the same thing.. same code.. car would just shut off after about 95 miles. let it sit for 5 min. ran fine..

i replaced the fuel pump and coils..

runs like new..

if i were you. do the coils first.. then the pump..

beers :beer:



OK Guys here are the codes....

- p0171- System too Lean
(Bank 1)
-p0302- Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
(pending)
I got another p0171- System too Lean
(Bank 1, Pending)

Any insight would be great, and I live in Clifton, Ohio ...lol...not NJ.

ok guys thx...I just checked my funding and to see what kind of money i will have in the next three months and things look good, so if the engine is bad it may sit for a bit and then can you say cough cough 20b cough......lol..thx for all the replies.

I hope that is what it is.
If you want --do an audible test on the rotors,,just removed the fuel pump relay, and the eccentric shaft plug. then remove one trailing plug at the time and crank it. Should hear each rotor face's compression as the engine turns. Listen for any difference. Do both rotors that way.if you hear a difference then ask for a compression test. Its a rough result test--but it can give you some idea.
oldscdragger

Is your vac plug still on the intake...it can make the lean code come up.

That won't be your major problem....I would check the coil/plug wires and plugs as already mentioned..... Sure you didn't mix them up?

Problem: I was driving on the highway last night, I was going about 75 mph and then I went to downshift into 5th gear because I was getting off an exit. As soon as I downshifted I had loss of power and a deeeep sputtering sound the car would jus barly move if I gave it gas then if I let off it would stall. I also had a Flashing CEL light which I know means misfire. I then Tried to start the car again and it turns over and sounds like it almost catches and starts but then just dies.

Weather Conditions: It was 7:02 in the eveing and it was 19 degrees out side, and clear.

Recent Upkeeping: Last weekend I topped off the oil, Checked the coolant levels, replaced four ignition coils, and put on the Racing Beat ignition wires on, cleaned the RB Revi intake, and put in a new battery, also full tank of Shell V-Power gas.

I take very good care of this car, I have many things done to it and done correctly. My car is an 04 MT with 58,984 miles on it. i bought the car new. I have the warrenty on the car but since I have all those things on there they will most likly void my warrenty. So I am asking so some general input for the time being, I am also pulling the codes within the next 3 hours so I will have specifically what is wrong with it and then get advice for that.

Bottomline: Need help, Hate the dealership = ASSHOLES!

Thanks a ton guys...

Dude the bottom like is them "Assholes" are the best guys to fix your Car and if they cant they will call Mazda and find out how.
I hope everything works out for you.

I don't have the vac hose anymore, I have it capped off because I have the revi intake. I think I may disconnect the battery and redue all the coils and plugs again, even though I just did that two days ago and I had no problems what so ever rite after the install. Someone above also mentioned it possiably being the fuel pump so I am going to check on that.....I hope to god it is not a seal!

The weird thing is that the motor turns and then almost catch and it sounds like it is going to start and then I stop and it stops. So I hope it is spark plugs or fuel. If it were a seal I dont think it would sound like it is about to completely start. But who knows I am still learning all i can about this car.

A buddy on the forum threw a lean code when his red cap fell off

I would pull start it and see if it runs......it may just be flooded

Yea I know you are rite about the dealership being the best place to go but I have had bad service there and they dont like me and I dont like them, so that is why I call them assholes, but I am afraid your right..

Its just that some Monkey that works on Car(s) and dont know what Oil weight to put in our kind of Car(s) will tell you what he thinks is wrong with the Car VS what they find out is wrong with the Car. As much as we hate them once they (the Car Dealership) starts work and they dont do the job right, has to keep doing it till they get the job done right.

Then there are the people on here that will help you the best they can and will go that extra mile just to help you out and I think thats cool. Real cool.

-Gil

Yes I agree, I am very very thankful for all the insight I am getting. It is like one big family, I am just eager to learn how to do things my self, Once I get my undergrad in marketing and Entreprenurial Studies I am going to a mechanic school and I want to work on the cars the right way and take pride in my work....sry that was a little off subject......I love this car and i want to know all about it.

I think I may have found the culprit, I have the revi intake and the vaccum hose is taken out and the little nipple is capped off. The little nipple completely broke off and the red cap is gone. It was 16 degrees when I was driving so I think cold weather got to this one. I am going to fix it thursday and hope that my car starts and runs fine.....cross your fingers.

I think I may have found the culprit, I have the revi intake and the vaccum hose is taken out and the little nipple is capped off. The little nipple completely broke off and the red cap is gone. It was 16 degrees when I was driving so I think cold weather got to this one. I am going to fix it thursday and hope that my car starts and runs fine.....cross your fingers.

yep that is it.. not the first one that has fallen off...

note to all in cold climates. a little silicone glue might be wise to keep that cap on...


beers :beer:

Shove a golf tee in there.

Shove a golf tee in there.

Its a hard plastic nipple...won't work without a small length of hose :)

He needs a small vac cap and a bit of Krazy Glue...

sweet man glad you found the problem........

What might I be able to attach to the vaccum hole, the nipple is completely gone, so I need to find something....??? Thanks guys.

I just got finished repairing the vaccum nipple and the cap. I went to start it and it does the same thing. I begin to think maybe I fixed it but it is flooded so I push it out of my garage and begin the deflooding procedure. I turn the ignition and the car starts but that same dreaded deeeep ass sputtering sound comes out and the car then stalls......I think the engine is shot and it is limping on one rotor...who the fuck knows. I am not happy because I take great great care of this car in every aspect. So this saturday I get to put on all the stock parts tow it to mazda and have those fuck heads tell me I need a new engine.

NOT HAPPY!!!

Have you replaced/inspected the plugs yet? How long before this happened did you make that failed attempt to remove the spark plugs?
On an old piston car of mine, I had a tough time getting the plugs out and gave up on one of them. When I tried to start the car I had a cylinder misfiring. Lumpy idle, no power, kind of sputtery. I tried removing the plug again and got the plug out but found that I had cracked the ceramic insulator which caused a short; it sparked against itself and not at the tip.

For me, cracking the ceramic instantly caused a problem; sounds like you've been driving it for a while since so it may not be the cause.

Hopefully your compression test goes well. Good luck.

Actually I had messed with the coils, wire and plugs last weekend. I did try to take the plugs out and put new ones in but I could't, so I left them in. I wonder if that may be the case. What size spark plug remover did you use? I may glance at those again. I had only been driving the new coils and wire for 9 days exactly and then this happened....

x fingers man--hope it is not the skip of death you are hearing.
you can do this--inject about 1 oz of atf in each rotor--engine will crank but if you have a dead skip (after you have checked all the usual possibilities)
--it gets depressing. Oh by the way --warn the neighbors as it will smoke a LOT.
oldscdragger

Do I put the atf in through the spark plug holes or what, haha I am checking those when I get home this sat. What will the atf even do? Just curious, thats all and will the dealership know if this does not work that there is atf fluid in the rotor housings. Last thing what kind of atf fluid. (brand)

yes through the spark plug holes. if you have blown seals then the fluid will temporally help with the compression. So the engine will crank but you will be able to tell if there is a constant skip.
oldscdragger

What size spark plug remover should I get?

21mm.

beers :beer:

Thanks swoope, I am determined to get to the bottom of this damn thing before I go putting all the stock parts back on. Because I will be PISSED if i do that and find out it is something minor.

Thanks swoope, I am determined to get to the bottom of this damn thing before I go putting all the stock parts back on. Because I will be PISSED if i do that and find out it is something minor.


make sure you pull the room fuse.. and reset the ecu.. it will act like before till you do it... all your fuel trims are set for the problem..

beers :beer:

Thx buddy.

Quick question, will the car even start if I have a blown seal.....just curious

I just had the engine replaced, it was the skip of death I was hearing. Everything is cool now, I had them run a compression test on the new engine also so I could have it for future reference if something went bad with this engine.....Thanks for all the insight that everyone provided.....

So what went down in those few days between 1/25 and 2/6? Please fill us in.....

Well I am away at college and I only get to see my 8 on the weekends or every other weekend. I was driving the car on a Friday night and as I was getting off the highway I got the dreaded dance of death from the engine. I had it towed to my house where I ran all the codes and ran a compression test and realized it was shot so it sat in my garage for two weeks while I put on all the stock parts. I finished that on 2/9/2008. I then had it towed to the dealership where they said they would replace the engine for free under warranty. Then two days later I get a call and they say that they are voiding my warranty because i had previous aftermarket parts on it, they gave no specifics and just left it at that. I laughed at the guy on the phone and straight up asked him what caused what and why, I am not an idiot and I know the rx8 very well, he once again didnt say much more than you just had parts on it. When I bought the car I bought the extended warranty, so what I did was called the dealership and asked if they would have a representive come look at my car and see if that warranty will be honored. Sure enough I get a call and the guy says we will do it under warranty because everything is back to stock..I wanted to say well know shit you dumbass. It would have cost me $5500 for a new engine, but everything is good now and I pick the car up tom. Sorry this is so long but I just wanted to fill you guys in. Thanks to all who helped.

Random questions

Did you over-rev on the down shift?

Have you checked that the RB wires are properly snapped in place?
Also you should check the connectors on the coils

You didn't mention plugs...?

Did you at least get to the dealer for the recall flash update?

do you mean double clutch?

I just had the engine replaced, it was the skip of death I was hearing. Everything is cool now, I had them run a compression test on the new engine also so I could have it for future reference if something went bad with this engine.....Thanks for all the insight that everyone provided.....

how much was it?

free dude, as long as you return to stock, don't tell you had aftermarket and are within the 8year/100000 miles. provide service records of oil changes you get a free new motor :)

free dude, as long as you return to stock, don't tell you had aftermarket and are within the 8year/100000 miles. provide service records of oil changes you get a free new motor :)

but i dont have the warranty for my car. way to expensive. and whats the deal with most rotary engines going out? ive heard this story many times from other owners.

this thread is a year and a half old..

are you guys new to the internetz?

beers :beer:

but i dont have the warranty for my car. way to expensive. and whats the deal with most rotary engines going out? ive heard this story many times from other owners.

What's expensive about it? This is an extension warranty given from the factory to everyone.

HAHAHAHA I thought this thread was finished, I started it and I just noticed people posting in it. My engine blew the F*** up and I got it fixed and I am closing in on about 25, 000 miles on the new engine haha.

Oh well have fun keep posting I guess lol , shit idk :)