So when I bought my car in september (from a used car lot..not mazda) I noticed it had a slight hiccup to it at idle after it was warmed up...I took it to the dealer to have the reflash done hoping that would take care of it...it didnt...but I learned to live with it and after researching just assumed it was the coils/plugs or wires...and planned on doing all three very soon...

so last night on the way home i get to about 5k and it just falls on its ass..rpms drop and it was running like a four cylinder that was only firing on 3 cylinders..."bogging down" and then finally stalled...i started it back up and drove a couple miles before it did it again..this repeated about 5 times and I got it home and immediatly jumped on this website and got ahold of SHeldon at mazmart and ordered plugs,wires and coils today...Car drove to work today just fine..slight hesitation taking off up the street..nothing too bad

when I went to leave work today it started and barely ran...shaking a LOT...until then the CEL light never came on but it did come on at this point.(flashing)..the car was still driving but very "bogged down"..eventually I pulled over..i smelled smoke (almost smelled like burning marshmellows) and i decided it was time to get towed home....

So... I am really hoping that the coils and plugs and wires take care of this problem but wanted some insight from you guys as to anything else that might want to check...

history of car: bought it at 42k miles back in september....mazda had listed that it is on the original motor....had oil pan replaced once and that was it...then i had reflash done....i do not think the car had its 40k maintnence...the reason i beleive this is b.c whoever had it traded it in at 42k...i doubt they would have thrown down the loot if they knew they were gonna get rid of it...

other than this the car has ran perfect.....after typing this up im heading to the garage to pull airbox off and take a look at the coils....i really hope this is the problem..

so my ? is...does this sound consistent with coils? cat maybe? help!!!


on a funny note the tow truck driver had his kids in the flatbed truck and had me ride in my car..on the back of the flatbed.....it was crazy and i am sure highly illegal...

coils, plugs, wires.

what mods??? stock??? get the cat checked out


sea foam it and do the 3 maintenance jobs u were gonna do

coils, plugs, wires.

what mods??? stock??? get the cat checked out


sea foam it and do the 3 maintenance jobs u were gonna do


yea totally stock..just took airbox off...had lots of oil in it?

ok..so all four coils are out...not as easy of a job to me...seems like i had to take so much apart to get to them...but once i got to them it was cake....the backside of them does have some dull spots like i have seen posted on other threads saying this is a indication that they are bad...

BUMP..please help guys?

Sounds like your coils burnt out and trashed your cat (the burning smell you got). Replace your coils, plugs, and wires ASAP.

The spot doesn't mean anything.
You replaced the coils and plugs. Cleaned the MAF with rubbing alcohol.

Now, you update us.

Your oil might have got over filled and ended up in your air box. Your "MAF" sensor might need cleaning. Could be clogged cat.

clean the MAF sensor, change the coils, spark plugs and wires, and check the CAT....once you do this im almost sure that you will be ok!! (aaa and check you engine oil)

Ok..thanks guys..i am waiting for the plugs,wires and coils in the mail...meanwhile whats the best way to check if the cat is clogged?

Ok..thanks guys..i am waiting for the plugs,wires and coils in the mail...meanwhile whats the best way to check if the cat is clogged?

Best bet - take it off and look at it. You'll find a number of pix here on what a good versus bad cat looks like.

waiting on parts........


So if i do the coils...plugs and wires..should I try to fire it up? im thinkin the cat is gone too b/c of all the smoke that came up into the cab after i pulled over

If you have oil in your airbox chances are your MAF sensor is dirty. You should get some MAF cleaner and clean it off. That should fix the erratic performance. Check your oil level and for any leaks. Chances are the oil was over filled at the last oil change and it is overflowing into your intake (by design). The smoke may be oil spilling somewhere and burning.

still waiting on parts! hate having my car torn apart!

Well if you fire it up after you put your parts on look under your car. If you see the cat or exhaust glowing turn it off! then geter towed in.

Well if you fire it up after you put your parts on look under your car. If you see the cat or exhaust glowing turn it off! then geter towed in.

how long would it need to idle before i would notice this?
dealership is about 2 miles up the road..

UPDATE:!!!!!!!!!!


ok...got the parts today....changed the plugs coils and wires...(thanks Mazmart) I put the parts on after following the DIY from this forum (any rx8 owner that doesnt use this site is a lonely sole who will waste lots of $) and the car is now running better than ever...i was worried that the cat was gone but after driving it 20 miles there was no glow from the pipes or crazy smell.....better throttle response..and I HOPE better MPG.....

The plugs were SHOT..so much shit caked up on them...very glad i did this myself


to anyone attempting to do this..be sure to take the tire off and have ratchet extensions and one that swivels will help alot....read the DIY on both coils and spark plugs..


one strange thing.....where the car had been parked in the garage...there was a strange black charred mess under where the cat was on the garage floor...no idea what it was...

thanks guys for your help

Don't forget to clean the MAF!

It doesn't hurt!