Yosh89

Hey,

New member here so go easy please

Basically the problem is that sometimes randomly, the car will not allow me to go over 3-4000 rpm. It's doing this more and more now and makes the car practically undriveable. 1st gear is the worst; when I get into 3rd/4th I can keep the pedal down gently but that's it.

I am doing the stop/start procedure correctly most days so I don't think it's a flooded engine.

The only other issue is that there is no hot air either, which could indicate an electrical issue.

The orange engine light is on.

Mileage is 47,000 and it's in good nick otherwise.

Before I take it to a garage it'd be good to know what you guys think the problem could be, so I have a little more knowledge on the issue beforehand!

Grace_Excel

iTrader: (5)

First things first, when were your ignition system(coils, plugs, wires) replaced, and what year is your RX-8? Secondly, do you have an OBD II reader; otherwise, could you have someone read that check engine light? Lastly, take an hour or two and read these informative threads:

Congratulations, you got an 8!
New and Potential Owners START HERE!
Suffering a misfire, START HERE!

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

Read the code, lights on for a reason.

Contrary to popular belief there not decorative and tell you important information about why your car is running limp

Cliffjumper126

Clogged catalytic converter.

But good grief. Why wouldn't you just get the codes pulled to see why the light is on. It's common sense

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

*sigh*

*loose faith in humanity, AGAIN*

80CUofRAWHP

TIM33H

+1
This would be my guess as well

Loki

iTrader: (1)

+1, likely caused by failing ignition. Suggest you stop driving it until issue is solved, this condition kills engines. Bring it to a dealer if at all possible, especially if car is still in the 8 year warranty on engine and federal warranty on the cat. Report back with their findings.

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

Yosh89

I bought it only 10 days ago..

It was first registered in September 2004 so I think the warranty is out.

I don't have an OBDII Reader so I can't check myself.

Can somebody suggest if I should buy one myself first?

I don't want to take it to a garage until I know myself what is wrong with the car really.

nogoer

Flooded engine would not start at all, you'd never even be able to drive it let alone have issues at any rpm

No hot air is either the heater control being broken (very common) or you're heater core has been removed/redirected somehow (not likely)

This didn't send up any red flags?!?

it sounds like maybe you should avoid spending the money on a code reader and either go to an auto store that will read codes for you or the better idea is to just go right to a mechanic before you blow the thing up.

No offense but the second that light came on it should have been blindingly evident to get the code read and go from there. Take it to a mechanic who knows what to do with malfunctioning vehicles and let them tell you the deal. You don't have to commit to having any one shop do the work, but if i were you i would most certainly have someone else fix this for me.

Yosh89

Okay.

I did ring up a Mazda dealer and wanted the car checked (with a code reader) and he quoted me £86 just for that haha.

What about going to Halfords? With they do a code check for free?

I've looked around and you can buy a Catalytic Converter for around £160 - so if I bought one myself and asked a local garage to fix it, do you think that would be the cheapest option?

Cliffjumper126

You need to search these things. The answer to your question about buying a catalytic converter is all over the site. Most aftermarket catalytic converters can't handle the heat of the rotary engine and fail quickly. Pretty much your only options would be to (A) replace it with a mazda one, or (B) gut it out and just drive it like that. Some people have had luck with some of the more expensive aftermarket cats, but it's not a sure thing. The only reason you need it is to pass emissions testing. You don't even know if you need to get one, though. Get the light checked before you do anything.

The best way to search the site is like this

site:rx8club.com catalytic converter

you just put the topic where cat. converter is and search on google or whatever search engine you use

I'm in the US, but I believe Halford's is an auto parts store..? If so, they may read it for you, possibly even for free. The parts stores here do it for free.

04Green

iTrader: (1)

I agree with getting the code scanned first, while at the store, get a can of fuel treatment and toss it in with fresh gas. If you got it from a dealer, it could have regular gas or worse, been sitting and have some water in the tank. I live in Florida and the number of times a bad running car has been cured with a can of Techtron will surprise you.

Then follow the congrats thread, it is the same one that is in my sig under $100. It was written for a September 2003 build RX8 (mine).

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hello, and Welcome.
If you do have a bad cat, there is also probably an ignition problem that killed it.
Please read the misfire sticky, but I would say coils plugs and wires should be replaced unless you can test them. If it hasn't been done at 47k it's likely needed.
If you have a smart phone, you can get theTorque app & a Bluetooth dongle for around $35 that scans codes & does all kinds of other handy things.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

I refuse to provide anymore insight until the OP has enough common sense to read the code

If the OP had before had then their is a 99.9% chance this thread would not exist as the code will tell you exactly what is wrong.

100's of auto part store read codes for free

wcs

iTrader: (2)

My wife says your tires flat
oh and
Get the code read

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hi, OP has expressed interest in getting codes scanned. I think he got the message.

It's possible he knows extremely little after only 10 days, so in the meantime I don't mind offering suggestions based on my similar experiences to give him things to consider while he ponders his next move.
Some might not know where or how to get scans. Now he knows.No biggie.
I think he's already learned quite a bit.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

It's probably a bad idea to buy parts that are not regular maintenance items until you find out what's wrong.
Personally, I hate wasting money, but I hate wasting time even more.

Yosh89

Ok thanks for all your advice! I ordered an OBD II reader so I'll wait until that arrives and then try and match the error code online.

wcs

iTrader: (2)

go here
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...n-guide-26291/

RotaryG87

Hi All,

I am a new member also and I have experienced this excact same problem today. My car is a 2004 Mazda RX8 231bhp version manual 6 gears. I was driving along and the car started jerking through first gear quite badly and couldnt put the power down. It was very unsmooth and jumping along like a learner driver coming off the clutch too quick!

I drove to Mazda and all of their technicians had finished for the day :-(

Turned engine off for 5 mins and started it back up; engine sounded very rough indeed and almost did not start. Jumped around through all gears on the way home and the enginge management light has come on.

There has been a smell of petrol inside the vehicle from start up and when stopped at traffic lights for a while now which probably has something to with the above.

I have just had a garage replace the steering coloumn joint and fit new brake pads. They obviously discconected the battery do this. The car has also been sat for a week as I have just got back from holiday.

I will get the code read on Monday and repost my findings. Looking at these forums it could be coil pack / spark plugs or blocked cat or perhaps a fuel filter? I'm thinking coil pack due to smell of petrol?! PLEASE HELP!!

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I think you just answered your own questions.
Please read everything posted here already and that should be more than enough until you get your codes.
Nice use of big letters.
Must be important, right?
Good luck!

RotaryG87

Im pretty gutted so yeah it is very important! I was really looking forward to driving it today with the sunshine out and brake pads on and fixed steering coloumn and this happens! Grrrrr. One thing after another at the moment. Just want to add, my mpg seems to about 17mpg at the moment regardless of how it is driven?

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if I get that much, but I "Drive it like I stole it!" (Highly recommended BTW)

I feel your pain. Mine was running progressively worse, then I did the usual maintenance items, and it still ran bad.
I already had codes for misfire and bad cat.
I found a really bad plug and coil and hoped that fixed my problem but no luck.
I ordered a midpipe, but before it came in, health issues and several snowstorms forced me to let it sit nearly 3 months.
Midpipe installed, oil change, MAF and ESS cleaning,
20 brake pedal stomp and it now runs better than ever!
Helps to have a backup DD.
Patience Grasshopper.

RotaryG87

Did you just replace an individual coil and plug or all at same time? How much was the midpipe? Thanks for the info, glad to know someone else has been through this!! When these cars run smooth they are amazing. I haven't owned mine long obviously but love the power.