Okay I have done quick a bit of reading on here and just want to verify a few things. I have an 04/ 6MT/ 45,000.

Firstly, I read that some 8s can utilize lower octane gas without problems. So I decided to give it a try. Put about half a tank of 89 in it.

Drove fine for the first few days (about 50 miles), it was almost bone dry when I put the gas in it, so I would think problems would show up a little quicker than that. Anyway, after that, I would get an Engine CEL blinking at high RPMs when the engine was cold, didn't really notice a loss of power the first few times. Read up and figured maybe a misfire, but wasn't sure if the gas could affect this.

Now a couple days after that, still only like 60 total miles since i put in the gas, I started the car this morning and from the moment I put it in gear, the power loss was noticable. It only got worse the faster I tried to go. I only drove it for about a mile, though. From what I read this could be the coils. Just want some ideas as to what it could be.

Is it safe to drive it to mazda about 25 miles away or should I have them tow it in. Or maybe it could be the gas? Any help would be appreciated.

 

I'm thinking Cat - mostly because of the progressive-loss in power. I think the gas-change is coincidence. When my car's cat was bad (the first time) the harder I pushed on the go-pedal the more bogged-down the car would feel.

 

Interesting, if Running Int-X would burned cat have any affect?
Do you coller temps rise? Is your Car FI?

 

funny.

mine runs fine on 87. have you had the latest recall done, and if so what was it?

beers

 

The last thing they did was replace the engine I think around october.

I don't really know much about cars, I can change oil, change breaks, replace a battery, that is probably about it. but what you describe, dmp, is exactly how it feels.

Is it safe to drive to the dealer or should I have them tow it? I don't want to damage the car. What should I ask for as far as service otherwise? The latest flash, ensure I have the latest recalls...?

Thanks for your help guys.

 

take it to the dealer and specifically state "Severe Lack Of Power"

make sure the service rep writes it down exactly this way

 

so it is safe to drive it there?

Sorry just worried.

 

Once in awhile if I am driving on the freeway in cruise around 75 mph and get to an off ramp and a stop sign, the car will be very sluggish when starting from the stop sign. It will start moving, but then I can mash on the gas and there is a big time delayed response. It might take 10-15 seconds for the power to kick in. Could that be the cat too?

 

^ ^ JA, could be cat.

 

i had the exact same issues for over a few weeks.. I drove it w/o problems, just was waiting for my oil change appt to get it checked on since it was just a loss in power, not engine failure.. they put a new cat in and it drives better than I can ever remember.. i was missing a LOT of power and just didnt notice it as it had went down hill so slowly I guess. I think you are safe to drive it to the dealer tho.. just my 2c.

 

I recently had my cat replaced along with the emissions recall reflash, the oil foam intake plumbing changes and new plugs all done under warranty. While the performance has been vastly improved over when it went in with the CEL on, it still feels a bit, well soft. The car is an 04 and is only run on premium with a bit of Lucas UCL and Pennzoil Marine Synth premix oil combined to about a 500:1 ratio. It runs and idles smoothly, but just feels a bit, well weaker than it used to. Its totally subjective and its possible that I'm being nuerotic and everything is normal, but I'm wondering if its worth sending it back to have them check the coils and maybe do a compression test. Thoughts?

 

Did Elucidus' car get fixed? What did the dealer do about it?

 

My coils were not checked/replaced after my cat was replaced under warranty. I've heard that the coils going south is often coupled to cat issues. Can anyone enlighten me further on this issue?