anouktlw

Hi everybody, I had reading similar stories like mine but most of them ended good because the car was on warranty, but I was told by the dealer over the phone that my car is not under warranty and the amount asked to fix it is almost half of the price of what I paid for the entire car, so I need some advice to do it myself to save some $$$ or get rid of the lovely RX8.
I just bought a week ago my great black RX8 2004 manual transmition, with 65k miles, paid for the car $ 6800 cash, I love the car, I always wanted to have one, now I finally got it and I was really happy until I drove the car for the first time on the highway for about 40-50 miles, at first the car was driving beautiful, lot of power, good response, but as soon as I reached aroung 65 miles/h, a red light came on "engine coolant level", slowed down to stop the car on the side of the highway and as soon as I started to pull over and reduce speed the light was off, checked temp gauge, the car was not overheating, temp was ok, the coolant was not low, and all back to normal, I cranked the car again and started to drive and again the same light came on after 65's, thinking of a coolant sensor defect, keep on driving, but now the car started to loose power badly, and when I "push it" to speed up, I was able to hear a noise "valve" coming from the engine, (knowing rotary does not have valves, just as a noise example) the car lost power so badly that I was not able to drive more than 30-40 miles/hour, again I decided to pull over and check on the problem, once I stopped it, the engine stalled, try to start it, no luck, waited around 5 minutes, turned the ignition, all back to normal, car drives again beatiful and again after some miles, all started again.
The check engine light on, Code P0037 back O2 sensor, only code shown on the report. Dealer told me I must replace the catalyc converter $ 1480 + tax, O2 sensor $ 85 + tax, Spark Plugs 185 + tax, coils $ 45 + tax each, labor $1680 + tax, TOTAL $ 3610 + tax.... and the good news was, "this may fix the problem or if not, you need a new engine".
Sorry for the long story but I am frustrated... Could please !!! anyone tell me what would you do in my situation, I can start buying parts and change them myself, but I will like to know if it is any way I can be sure if the engine must be replaced so I don't spend $$$ and hours trying to fix a bad engine.
Thank you for your time reading and I will appreciate any suggestions.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

never fear, Jedi is here!

1. double check your coolant to make sure it's properly topped off. Even though the sensor can malfunction, it might also be low. With 65,000 miles on your car, I'd recommend flushing the radiator and putting all new coolant / water in there anyways. (especially since it can get HOT in FL)

2. never rely on our engine temperature gauge. Unfortunately it's a fairly worthless gauge because once your car reaches about 165°F, the needle will pretty much go to the exact same spot and stay there until you are around 232°F and then it starts to move. By then your engine is heat soaked and it's too late of a warning

3. It sounds to me like you have a bad catalytic converter. The cat should be covered under Federal emission laws until 80,000 miles. (not sure if there's any stipulation concerning multiple owners though) You could fight it with the dealer or you could replace it with an acceptable replacement such as the RP High Flow Cat. I have this cat on my car and it's MUCH cheaper then an OEM, sounds better, and will pass an emissions test.
$395 sure beats $1680 http://www.rx7.com/store/rx8/rx8exhaust.html


4. Sounds like you might have a bad O2 sensor or it could be related to the bad cat. If you need a rear O2 sensor, send a Private Message to a vendor on here called Mazmart. (you can find the vendors near the top of the home page) I think I remember seeing they had O2 sensors are low prices.


5. IF you need a new engine, you might be in luck because the Rotary engine is warrantied for 8 years / 100,000 Miles. Did you buy the car at a Mazda dealership? If so, they might have the service records which could help you if you need an engine replacement.

6. One other thing that could be causing your problems are the ignition coils. If you have 65,000 miles I'd recommend inspecting the coils and possibly replacing them along with spark plugs. We can address that at a later time if you're still having issues.

Mazurfer

For #4 above..............go see this thread https://www.rx8club.com/mazmart-88/cheap-oem-rx8-oxygen-sensors-159715/

It does sound like a bad CAT, you could pull it loose in front and have a looksee to see if the honeycomb is still intact.

You could do a compression check to see if the engine is bad, but unfortunately.........you'll probably need to do the plugs, coils, and maybe wires before you even try to do the compression test.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Ummm... I have nothing to add, Jedi54 pretty much said everything spot on as always.
Listen to his advise.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

thanks for the link Dave.
yeah, dropping the cat just requires you to loosen a couple bolts (warning: they could be difficult to remove. Rust can be such a pain)

I can post a pic of my busted up cat if you need but basically if you peak in there and there's chunks bouncing around then it's bad.
Funny, I usuall think the same thing about YOUR posts.
thanks Jon

Mazurfer

^...................what the hell, least I could do. I was going to type all that out, but then I saw you in the thread and simply waited!


Thought I'd maybe pich up an assist though.

Rote8

You are close to Cam, call Pettit in West Palm...
If it's rotary, he can fix it.


Sales & Service: 561-844-2258
Mon.-Fri.: (9AM-5PM EST)
Sat.-Sun. & After-hours:
(Leave Message for Call Back)

http://www.pettitracing.com/rx8/index_about.htm

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

haha, great strategy. I'm going to remember that the next time I see you or Jon in a thread.
nothing wrong with the assist, greatly appreciated friend.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Oh damn... cats out of the bag now

anouktlw

Thank you all of you for the advise, especially Jedi54, that is exactly what I will do on the weekend, following your advise, I still hope I can still enjoy my old but still great RX8. I was thinking, change spark plugs and colis, remove the cat and try it, before I spend $ in a new cat and O2, anyway THANKS A BUNCH !!!! for you time and help. Will kepp you posted next week.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

Jedi has a file he just copies and pastes his replies from. Saves him typing it out all the time.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

^^^ I should seriously consider doing that. Would save me a ton of time.

anouktlw:keep us posted on your car.
cheap place to get coils = www.onlinemazdaparts.com
cheap place to get spark plugs = http://blackhaloracing.com/products-...-heat-ranges4/

swoope

iTrader: (5)

uh,

duh.

beers

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

luv you too swoope!


that reminds me, need to send you a PM.
I need another cocktail first, brb.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

uh,

duh.

and add tastes like chicken to your sig!

beers

swoope

iTrader: (5)

cool.

cocktails good.

beers

anouktlw

Again, thank you very much.
Question: Is any way I can remove completely the cat and O2 and install just a straight pipe? Will this do any harm? or this will only get the Check engine on all the time without any other harm ?
Regarding plugs and coils I will change them all for new ones.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

you're going to want an O2 sensor, the PCM wouldn't be too happy with you without the O2. (think fuel trims, AFR, etc)

Lots of guys remove the Cat and run midpipes (aka straight pipe), but it'll be louder and you'll have the wonderful smell of a catless rotary. Some guys like that, I personally hate it.
there are resonated midpipes out there that help quiet the exhaust note down a bit (because unresonated Rotaries are quite loud) and there is the RP supercat. All good options available to you.

neofreak

iTrader: (1)

Why is this in the Series II section?

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Yesterday I requested to have it moved, guess someone is slackin'

anouktlw

Understood Jedi, thanks for all your help and for sharing knowlege.
Did I post this in the wrong section? IF I did I am sorry...

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

you posted in the Series II subforum which refers to RX-8's built in 2009 and up.
It's okay, when I first saw your post I asked an Admin to move the thread, I'm sure they'll get to it eventually.

Mazurfer

Should we keep those that have Series II's out of the rest of the threads(Series I's)? Lighten up Francis................Jedi did asked to have it moved and the new guy(OP) made a mistake.

If really that aggravated, go to the first post, click the little red triangle which will report it and a box will pop up where you can again ask that it be moved.......maybe they will see it then????

Mazurfer

Your right, but depending on where in Miami that could be at least 1 hour or better away. It's still a good option though.
Send him there for loss of power and he'll walk out the an SC including Meth!

Mazurfer

I actually did this for what I will call my deflood procedure, but as you know......there were sooooo many different ways of doing it and some will work for most, but not all. It would still be a good idea and while tyhis one is a little specific, we should use Jedi's as an example and maybe refine where needed for just loss of power and cut out the coolant stuff. I'm gonna go copy it, edit it to refine for just loss of power and maybe add links...............but won't be paying any royalties!