Knowledge Needed!

Ryan X-8 · 08-01-2009, 12:19 PM

My 8's problem just will not go away.

My problem: Horribly Sluggish and Occasionally wants to die.

Car runs okay until it gets to Operating Temperature. When I first start driving around the city it drives a little bit sluggish but as soon as I take it on the freeway and get up to 65mph it gets extremely sluggish. Very Difficult to increase speed. Also, when I exit freeway and drive around at low speeds it takes forever to gain speed plus the intake changes to a deep throaty gross sounding roar. At a stop, the idle is fine and sits around 1000rpms until I turn on the A/C then it drops to 750rpms and rough idles. When A/C is turned off the rpms rise back to 1000. Sometimes when coming up to a stop with the A/C on it dies.

Car has 77,268 miles.

I have changed/cleaned the following:

-Wires & Plugs (6 months ago)
-Battery (New)
-All 4 Ignition Coils (New)
-Fuel Pump (New)
-K&N Typhoon 2 Gen (New Filter)
-MASS Airflow Sensor (New)
-Engine Compression Test on Both Rotor Housings (Both Good)
-Catalytic Converter (New)
-Cleaned Throttle Body
-Alternator (New) Did that today.

I buy all my parts from trusted OEM sites (Not Ebay) and the dealer if there's no other choice.

I am out of ideas and would appreciate all feedback.
I'm fustrated and to the point of I'll buy whatever I need to get my car back to normal and driving great again.

Thanks Guys.

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Jon316G · 08-01-2009, 12:59 PM

WOW... you eliminated everything I would start off with.
Have you verified that the plug wires didn't come loose (its been known to happen).

I worked on another RX8 lately that had somewhat similar issues, but not as bad as you described.
He mentioned to me that it didn't pull hard and he described a "bad" sound.
When I test drove it, I couldn't hear much over his K&N (ver2) intake so I recommended that we install the stock airbox so we can hear the car easier.
After we installed the stock airbox I let him drive it around and he said that it drives better and doesn't make a "bad" sound.
Not sure if this pertains to your issue, but if you still have your stock intake, it only takes a few minutes to swap out.
You'll at least have something else to rule out.

Ryan X-8 · 08-01-2009, 01:05 PM

Okay, Switching the intake back to stock could maybe narrow it a bit more.
That would be insane if that damn intake has been screwing me this whole time.
Thanks man.

rotarykillz · 08-01-2009, 02:10 PM

I'd really like to know if this helps....I have a K&N V2 and while my car is running great...it feels like it might not be as powerful. If this makes a diff for you, i'm going to put my stocker back on to see if I get a power increase. Keep us up to date....

Can a malfunctioned O2 sensor cause the problem you're having? These usually throw a CEL, but not always.

Ryan X-8 · 08-01-2009, 02:26 PM

Yeah I'm going to switch it back tomorrow and post my results.

Oh Yeah, I forgot to mention there is no CEL being thrown either which makes this even more difficult.

swoope · 08-02-2009, 12:35 AM

that really sounds like a dry apex seal..

get compression checked hot.. you could try a tank of premix to see if that solves the problem.

other stupid stuff to check.

make sure the plug wires are tight. the lower front one tends to come loose..

reset the ecu, and do a e shaft reset.

check the wires to the maf sensor..

do you have the screen in the kn filter?

beers

Ryan X-8 · 08-02-2009, 01:44 PM

Yes I have the screen in the K&N Intake, but I'm about to put stock back in to see if anything changes today.

The dealer did the compression test so I wouldn't know if they checked while it was still hot.
I should probably do an overall wire check again. Wouldn't hurt.

Is there a DIY on how to reset the ecu and e shaft sensor?
Thanks

Jon316G · 08-02-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan X-8

Is there a DIY on how to reset the ecu and e shaft sensor?

Real Way to Clear the Memory

Mazurfer · 08-02-2009, 01:54 PM

Damn it.......ya beat me that time Jon.......

......Real Way to Clear the Memory

Ryan X-8 · 08-02-2009, 08:19 PM

The verdict is in.

The K&N Typhoon Ver 2 Intake is guilty of robbing my engine of all the power.

Seriously, I switched back to the stock airbox with the K&N replacement filter (it was dirty too) and it made a night and day difference while driving. It felt like a performance part.
I redlined, spun-out, dropped gears with the a/c and stereo on full blast and it didn't hesitate a bit. AND NO POWER LOSS! I test drove it 3 times before celebrating. I still can't believe it.

It's crazy but it worked. Nothing else was out of place or disconnected.

So, if you have that same intake and having problems, its worth looking at.

Thanks for all your suggestions, especially yours Jon.

I'm out, Gonna drive it like I stole it.

Jon316G · 08-02-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan X-8

Thanks for all your suggestions, especially yours Jon.

You're welcome.
Glad you got it working and at least it was an easy fix!

cyclone1208 · 08-02-2009, 08:34 PM

I know K&N has a lifetime warranty cuz I have the same intake....do you think you can call them and tell them whats wrong? Possibly getting your money back?

Ryan X-8 · 08-03-2009, 10:06 AM

Yeah true, I forgot about the warranty but I don't know if I could convince them that the intake was causing my problem. They might be just like any corporation like the dealer and put the customer at fault. Plus, I still don't even understand how the intake choked my engine. Everything was how it should be and the filter was new. I'm just happy my car is finally running normal again. But it would be awesome to get my 300 bucks back.

rotarykillz · 08-03-2009, 12:35 PM

could it have been an installation issue? obviously there was an airflow blockage somewhere.

rotarykillz · 08-03-2009, 12:37 PM

Oh....it could have been something with the MAF that the K&N doesn't handle very well too. Did you ever reset your ECU after installing it? If your airflow changed a lot, it could be affecting your MAF readings and or the ECU was receiving a different airflow than it was currently programmed to receive (or memorized to receive).

Ryan X-8 · 08-03-2009, 05:29 PM

No, I never reset the ECU after installing it. The car ran great though after I initially installed it I drove it for about 6-7 months before having any problems. The first problem I had was a burnt out ignition coil which had nothing to do with it. Then I had the mystery illness shortly after. The dealer reset ecu after installing the new CAT though, I remember them telling me that. And nothing changed.