Hi all, I've been having an issue with my 8 for some months now and my local dealer can't seem to find a problem.

It's an '04 with 80k, and for the last 6 months or so I've noticed what sounds like marbles or maybe the sound of a pepper grinder. It's particularly noticeable at higher rpms and the car hesitates during acceleration.

The sound isn't particularly loud and the dealer denies hearing it. It's also having sporadic ruff idling at neutral and today nearly stalled at a light.

I use premium only during the entire time I've had it. I've recently had the ignition coils replaced, spark plugs and wires. The cat was also replaced some time ago. The problem existed prior to these changes and still continues.


Thoughts?

 

Oh, and I'm about 20 miles short of my usual miles per tank. I'm using Castrol oil, changed often.

 

You might find a advanced title search for 'marbles' interesting.

 

Thanks expo, I already did so. If you're talking about something in particular please link because a search for marbles pulls up various things like low octane, compression, bad sparks/wires, coils, cat.

Debating paying for a compression test.

 

Most of the threads returned from that search relate to 'marbles in a can sound' coming from the engine area. Read them and bring up some of the items mentioned in those threads. There isn't a simple answer for the 'MIC' noise, your going to have to take the time and read the similar threads and confront the dealer with the info.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/marbles-blender-two-dealers-say-they-cant-fix-92790/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/list-different-marbles-102244/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/marbles-can-sand-blender-issue-fixed-172684/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/more-marbles-can-observations-93836/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/found-source-my-marbles-blender-sound-120081/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/please-marbles-get-out-my-car-114765/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/marbles-sand-can-problem-please-respond-104658/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/marbles-can-pre-mixing-101359/

 

If you have never had a compression test of the engine done, its worth the investment no matter what the results. With the 100K cutoff on the engine warranty coming up on your horizon, this is even more appropriate. Just be sure to search here and understand what a valid test should look like and what data you should expect back from same.

 

tell your dealership to check the throttle body, stop being lazy and plug that computer in and CHECK the values against factory's spec.

most dealership overlook this part.

but, sadly, its a 400 something 500 bux part even if you buy it youself, dealership will charge you more.

if its confirmed to be bad, you can replace it yourself with simple handtools.

 

UPDATE
---------

I did have a compression test done before when the recall letters went around for the 04s and I passed. I went to the dealer this morning and requested another compression test be done. I was told I barely failed it but they're going to go ahead and order a new motor. I'm super pumped lol.

 

Tell them to get their hearing checked too.