please help me... i have a 2004 RX-8 MT with 106,000 miles on it. Normally when it is 100+ outside my car runs like crap. It putters around 4-5 thousand rpms, I also have terrible performance. Well, it is a nice 70 degrees outside today and it was nice yesterday also, but last night it started doing this and it isn't hot outside.. Does anyone have this problem or had it? If so what helped fix this. I need new coils I know but this just kinda started and I don't have a code reader to read the codes. Please any help would be absolutely appreciated!!!!

All new ignition and a compression test are in your future I think.

Get new coils, plugs and wires; seafoam your engine and then if it doesn't get better get compression test on the motor.

Still have the original Catalytic Converter on the car?

yeah it is punched out though and no o2 sensor but it has been like that for a while..

Plugs and coils is where you start.

Don't forget the MAF, clean it. thats the easiest to do.

Plugs and coils is where you start.

Don't forget the MAF, clean it. thats the easiest to do.


I already did that and it didn't change a thing lol

Check your spark plugs. They tell 1000 stories of whats been happening to your engine. Too lean, too rich, misfire, backfire, no fire lol. Go to an Autozone or somewhere of that nature. They usually check CEL's for free.

Search

yeah i checked my spark plugs they were brown and had build up on them so i cleaned them up and put them back in but i think i will replace them and the coils and see if that helps any at all...

Brown isn't really bad. Just means they been worn. Black or dark brown means excessive wear. Any improvements with cleaned plugs?

okay update...
so far I have changed the spark plugs and the coils no joy... changing the spark plug wires next week...
also still putters between like 4-6 rpms...
and no saw no difference with clean plugs...

sputtering, no cat, new coils and plugs.

I'm saying go get a compression test done, unlucky you went over 100k

kevin.

Did you try a zoom engine de-carbon?

Well my cousin has his 2004 same year as mine only that his has 117,000 miles on it and mines only 67,000 we both assure maintance is done each weekend. Here's a basic check list go over this and replace where necesary.

1. $80 Spark Plugs NGK keep it OEM ( no densos , no greedy , no bosch )
2. $175 Coils and Spark Plug Wires ( Consider upgrading to BHR Ignition Kit $500 )
3. $175 New Alternator ( or get it repaired for $100 )
4. $140 Gel or Adelco Battery + $100 Grounding Kit ( this is a must on these cars )
5. $110 O2 Sensor a must for these cars ( Get one ASAP )
6. $145 MAF sensor ( get a good used for $60 )
7. $200 Catalyc Converter ( try upgrading there are various options or remove it )
8. $10 Good Engine Flush
9. $40 Buy Idemitsu 5w30 engine Oil ( or simply Castrol 5w30 for $25 ) ( NON SYNTHETIC )
10. $15 Replace coolant with Water Wetter Red Line ( holds more heat than regular coolant )
11. $10 Sea Foam your engine or buy the Mazda Cleaning Kit for Loss Power for $20

12. Check your mazda dealer for Compression and anything unusual after you did all the above or MAZDA will eventually rip your pocket for simple things that can be done by yourself.

done 1. $80 Spark Plugs NGK keep it OEM ( no densos , no greedy , no bosch )
done getting new wires friday 2. $175 Coils and Spark Plug Wires ( Consider upgrading to BHR Ignition Kit $500 )
where you get 175? try 350..3. $175 New Alternator ( or get it repaired for $100 )
what does the grounding kit do and where do i get it? 4. $140 Gel or Adelco Battery + $100 Grounding Kit ( this is a must on these cars )
after the cat is a must?5. $110 O2 Sensor a must for these cars ( Get one ASAP )
cleaned mine it is fine...6. $145 MAF sensor ( get a good used for $60 )
7. $200 Catalyc Converter ( try upgrading there are various options or remove it )
8. $10 Good Engine Flush
9. $40 Buy Idemitsu 5w30 engine Oil ( or simply Castrol 5w30 for $25 ) ( NON SYNTHETIC )
10. $15 Replace coolant with Water Wetter Red Line ( holds more heat than regular coolant )
doing this next.....11. $10 Sea Foam your engine or buy the Mazda Cleaning Kit for Loss Power for $20

my car does the same thing. when you figure out what is wrong let me know.....

My 04 did that at about 45k miles. The Mazda dealer said that it was a bad switch that opens the secondary intake. I don't know if that was bs or not. My car would not rev above about 4k rpms. He also said that if you lug you engine around a lot at low rpm,the valve could stick from carbon buildup. In my case, it was a bad switch. Maybe some of the rotary experts on the site can advise you more.

yea the SSV it can also get stuck from overfilling the engine oil to many times..

I have over 109k and still put down good dyno numbers.. engine is pretty solid trans is asstastic!!

I'd still like to get my compression checked. I bought the car with 96k on it, so even if I do all the right things that doesn't mean the previous owner did.

When in doubt bring it to a good dealer and have them tell you whats wrong.

i just realized mine makes a clicking noise from 4.5k to 5.5k. after that it revs up fine. anyone know y it would do that??

Well my cousin has his 2004 same year as mine only that his has 117,000 miles on it and mines only 67,000 we both assure maintance is done each weekend. Here's a basic check list go over this and replace where necesary.

1. $80 Spark Plugs NGK keep it OEM ( no densos , no greedy , no bosch )
2. $175 Coils and Spark Plug Wires ( Consider upgrading to BHR Ignition Kit $500 )
3. $175 New Alternator ( or get it repaired for $100 )
4. $140 Gel or Adelco Battery + $100 Grounding Kit ( this is a must on these cars )
5. $110 O2 Sensor a must for these cars ( Get one ASAP )
6. $145 MAF sensor ( get a good used for $60 )
7. $200 Catalyc Converter ( try upgrading there are various options or remove it )
8. $10 Good Engine Flush
9. $40 Buy Idemitsu 5w30 engine Oil ( or simply Castrol 5w30 for $25 ) ( NON SYNTHETIC )
10. $15 Replace coolant with Water Wetter Red Line ( holds more heat than regular coolant )
11. $10 Sea Foam your engine or buy the Mazda Cleaning Kit for Loss Power for $20

12. Check your mazda dealer for Compression and anything unusual after you did all the above or MAZDA will eventually rip your pocket for simple things that can be done by yourself.


Thanks for all that. My rebuilt has only 18,000 km on the clock, but l've got a feeling l have to purchase a new ignition kit (BHR maybe??).

What sort of maintenance do you typically do on a weekend? I always check oil/fluid levels, clean the air filter after l wash the car. Anything else l should be doing?

still makes noise i am going to give up on it for now and take apart air intake manifold or whatever you want to call it and clean it up but not today and tomorrow isn't looking so good either... but real soon

Just to clarify you did the zoom cleaner or sea foam treatment and changed out all the ignition components and your still getting massive lag between the 4-5k mark and sputtering..

have you gone in and gotten a compression test?