Loki

iTrader: (1)

I'd say that electrode wear is a much slower process than deposit accumulation. Sure, you put a few more discharge events on them driving at high rpm, but it's a drop in their ocean of lifetime. Self-cleaning the plugs to however minor extend with race heat and pressure should make a much bigger difference in their useful life.

ASH8

I know I hope I am stating the bleeding obvious, but, PLEASE don't run your Spark Plugs for extended long periods.

No first prizes for the longest looser....

Just not worth the risk of a broken electrode smashing against a turning Rotor, with a cracked Apex Seal(s) as end result and then poor compression's = bad fuel economy, performance, etc, etc, etc.

=,=,=,=,= a new engine.

For me about 70K Kilometres or 42K of miles.

csnellin

I could not get my 2009 to start, had it towed to the dealer. They got it started (said they deflooded it) and then told me that it is misfiring and I need 2 ignition coils to fix the misfire plus they also want to replace plugs, wires and O2 sensor (for a total of $1700) and that I should not drive the car at all as I will ruin the cat. I cannot bring myself to pay them that kind of money and plan to get the car home and do the work myself. The question I have here, is the 6 mile drive home from the dealer going to ruin my cat? I kind of doubt it but wanted some advice.

I am also a little shocked they are recommending 2 coils considering I just replaced all four a little over a year ago and less than 5000 miles of driving(Evan-Fischer branded coils from Amazon). I guess it is possible that one/two of them are failing already?

wannawankel

...that depends...but yes extremely strong coils from Mazda (B part and C type coils) or those from reputable, tested dealer networks like BHR are the only ones that seem to last. I spent the quality money and purchased C-part coils, OEM plugs, and OEM wires from Mazmart since my car is still under warranty. I did this at ~ 42K miles on the ODO and they replaced the factory installed originals. Caveat: the previous, firs towner had religiously had the vehicle serviced at Mazda and one of the major selling points (again with a compression test) of why I bought the car. Never regretted it.

Members have created a maintenance schedule that's fair and recommended (30K mile intervals for coils/plugs, and wires from a reputable source).

Loki

iTrader: (1)

$1700 is also way too much for that work, and I don't see why the O2 sensor needs to be replaced at all. Just do the coils, plugs and wires and take it from there. As for your catalytic converter, you need to take it off an examine it. It's possible it has already been damaged, or it could be fine. If you can avoid the 6 miles, do so, but if you can't just go easy and run the car as short a time period as possible.

gwilliams6

RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.


every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.

I personally replace my plugs around 15k miles. Yes, I can feel the difference in their performance around that mileage. Everyone has a different driving style and use of their car, so you may well get thousands more miles of top performance from your plugs. FYI, I have BHR coils and wires, so I have not had to replace them yet (Car has 70k miles on it). New plugs are inexpensive, compared to costs from engine and/or cat damage caused by worn out plugs, so I prefer to keep the car healthy and running at its peak.
__________________

csnellin

They reco the O2 sensor due to a code that came up when they ran diagnostics. I have also seen that code myself, I get a check engine light every now and then for a few months and when I check codes myself I get weak connection on the o2 sensor when I look up the code. I am not sure how important that sensor is, but figure it probably would not hurt to replace it.

fyrstormer

I'm amazed this thread is still around. My RX-8 is still running fine on its second set of sparkplugs, though I've barely put any miles on the car in the past few years. I changed the plugs at ~40kmi; three years later it's at ~54kmi. I also got a BHR ignition coil upgrade kit, just to be on the safe side.

If only I had somewhere to drive the car that wasn't monitored by speed cameras and/or clogged with traffic as far as the eye can see.

gwilliams6

Yes I know the speed cams in the DC-MD-Va area are brutal. Got me once in DC on my way back to NJ at 3am in the morning on a completely empty highway.