Well, the first problem with the RX-8 popped up this SAT past thanks to hotter weather in Sydney.

Pinging badly anything past 30% throttle.

FYI, I use regular 91-ron fuel as l get it for free. 95 or 98 would mean I pay myself so unless I am taking the car for the weekend, my partner uses it everyday with normal 91-ron & (normally) no issues

Problem..... ENGINE light is now on solid after several ping sessions on SAT.

Have tried the reset procedures but they dont work. This evening in the cooler weather it no longer pings but that CEL wont go away.

Apart from Mazda, where in Sydney can I get the fault codes from the PCM so I can sus this out & fix it.....???

REgards

 

got a laptop???

good stuff...

http://www.performancedesign.com.au/?content=scanalyser

beers

 

Ever thought of using 98RON? It doesn't cost much to test ... only about $70 for a tank.

 

Well you have a tuned car and using 91 RON... I am confused.

Go to Jaycar and see if you can get a car scanner (CAN protocol)

 

if you are getting pinging problems and you get free petrol, just go to autobarn and get octane booster and add it to the tank when you fill up.

its cheaper than having to fill up the whole tank with premium

 

octane boost will not help AT ALL. it actually reduces performance by -2%. The Rx8 need a quick burn fuel cos when the rotar comes around there is only a small gap for conbustion. Having high octane makes the burn just that bit longer and will reduce performance. Just use 95 if you have it in your area. This should stop pinging.

 

Uh ... wtf?

 

He took the figure from the 5th gear aired recently.

 

I'm guessing by the "other" responses that there is no Sydney guy with a scanner.

Looked at the Hymee scanner but at $350. Its outside my "value" range for something I will rarely use.

Found another U.S version that does a similar job for $170 via this forum. May go that way if l cant find a scanner to borrow & extract then reset this fault code.

As for your fuel enquires. I'll continue to use 91-ron as its generally not an issue plus I'd rather the $4000 per annum that would go on fuel go elsewhere in my budget.

Shall report on what I find when i find a scanner to diagnose this matter.

REgards

 

Dave,

By your figures I am assuming you are using a tank a week. Buying an octane boost bottle a wekk will cost you around $10 dollars a week.

If you bought in bulk I reckon you could get it cheaper. It still works out to be reduction from $4000 saving to $3500 saving. Better than a kick in the teeth and a blown engine.

 

Go those chipped apex seals! WOOHOO!

 

Dave check this out

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...=&form=KEYWORD

$120

 

Thanks for the jaycar scanner link Takahashi. Much better value for money. I'll invest in one of those, maycheck Altronics catalogue first as our work gets substantial discounts from them.

Auszoom, your on the ball regarding the estimation of around a tank per week. Sometimes more, some times less. The Octane boost is a good idea but will use it on weekends when I jump in the car. My partners idea of "Giving it a hit" or "I was racing some one" is about 30% - 40% throttle so I'm not fearful of any shattered apex seals.

In fact it's quite amusing to hear her squeel when she hits boost in the Cosmo & backs off straight away........

Anyway, the CEL extinguished itself today during normal driving.

I suspect there is some "feedback" program that must "see" normal conditions for a set period of driving time before it clears itself hence why my reseting procedures kept failing.

REgards

 

FOLLOW UP POSTING...........

Performed the throttle body heater hose bypass mod the Arizona, Neveda, Texas guys are talking about.

Drove the car up the F3 today with 4 people, full boot & A/C on. Good news to report..................... NO CEL

The cooler intake temps may have resulted in less "ping" & after arriving at destination, I can tell you all that the TB feels considerably cooler. The throttle response feels better too.

Worthy mod. Cost me $5.

REgards