Relatively simple. If I'm recalling correctly, you might have to remove the airbox in order to do the coils. I've got a CAI in mine, so I can't recall for certain. The plugs are pretty simple. Just make sure you don't cross thread them (goes for any vehicle) , that you buy OEM plugs (yes, they're expensive), and you place the Lead plugs where they are supposed to go and the Trail plugs where they are supposed to go (hint: do them one at a time so you don't mess this up).

This forum will be your friend for learning how to crank on this car.

 

Haven't logged on in a couple of years... bump

 

Doesn't that make it a dead thread?

 

it's alive!

 

Zed's dead, baby. Zed's dead.

 

 

Bump!!!



Still alive!!!

 

I'm not quite dead yet

 

Miss you guys. ❤️ And my car.

 

Holy thread revival Batman! The Black Pearl has moved on but still in the rotary game...

BTW Creto, your signature brought back some awesome memories; LFOGTFOTW!

AND WTB, "don't do anything stupid!"

 

Anyone out there with an RX8 still in El Paso?

 

Same for Houston.

 

was in the Frisco area recently and only saw ONE RX-8.
c'mon guys, where's everyone at?

 

recently? thought that was several months ago.

you could have come by and seen mine in a bazillion pieces

WTBRotary still has his, but don’t think he gets it out much, most of the others sold and moved on, but I know of 2 or 3 others

.

 

I was there labor day weekend.
Next time I'm out there maybe I'll swing by so hurry up and put that car back together.

 

Hello, I read this and it blew my mind!
I'm a new RX-8 owner from Houston.
I was actually in Frisco a few months ago around this time visiting a friend who lives there.
That might have possibly been me haha.

 

Still alive! Figured I’d bump this thread since I did some work on the RX8 this past weekend.

Last few years I’ve had a few CEL’s that I’ve been reluctant to fix, mainly because the issue is random. The issue relates to intermittent misfires or bogging. Typically I can replicate the issue by free revving the motor in neutral but while I’m under load, everything seems to be fine, again, it’s sporadic. I have been getting some misfires as well as I’ve seen my CEL blink a few times. I’ve been on a base map since I installed my Drummond motor a little over 10 years. It’s always ran rich, since it’s a base map, but the last few years I’ve been getting these ridiculous backfires, like 2-3 at a time on abrupt throttle let off. I’ve started to notice, based off of monitoring my AFR’s on my dying Cobb AP (screens about to go out), that I’m running rich.

Figured I’d get around to changing the VDI, SSV, and AIR solenoids to see if it alleviates my misfire/bogging issues. So out I whip my FSM to start diagnosing P2096, and basically this CEL could get illuminated by anything related to the fuel system. So I start working my way down the possible causes and steps to fix them.

Here’s some recent maintenance I did before this last weekend solenoid installation that eliminates some potentiality.

• New ignition harness due to a short ~ 2022
• Spark plugs 2/24; old ones were caked with carbon, only had about 12k miles on them over 10-11 years.
• Series 2 full fuel pump swap ~ 3 years ago

The 3 CEL’s I had were:

• P0076: Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low (Bank 1)
• P2096: Target A/F feedback system too lean
• P2259: AIR solenoid valve control circuit low

I replaced the SSV, VDI, and AIR solenoids off of the UIM by parts I had ordered from Paul at Mazmart.

After removal and installation, I’ve hooked everything back up, driven it for a few drive cycles for the system ready, and boom, P2096 came back. The other codes are gone though.

Overall the car feels “better”, I’ve driven it about 100 miles and have yet to get any bogging issues, although I did get a weird misfire per blinking CEL once.

I‘m glad the other codes are gone but my mission is still unfinished. Going back to my FSM for the possible causes of P2096, but I’m thinking about replacing my F/R Heated O2 sensors as they’re about 10 years old, I’m at arms if it’ll actually fix my issue but could be preventive maintenance anyways so it’s easier to justify the replacement costs.

My other thought is pulling my fuel injectors and getting them cleaned and benched to ensure I don’t have a leaky injector. Again, this motor only has about ~12k miles in 10-11 years. Could be a nice fuel system refresh as preventative maintenance. IIRC, whenever I was installing these injectors, the engine rebuilder back then said he couldn’t get a perfect bench on one or two, but that they weren’t terrible.

I’ll try my best to keep this thread updated but it could be a few years again before I log back on. Wish me luck!

 

You mentioned the plugs, but what about the coils/wires? I'm about to replace mine. Been running a bit rich and it's hesitant to start when the engine is warm. Could be compression, or ignition. My plugs aren't old, but I do need to pull them and take a look at them.

 

I’ve been rocking BHR’s coils forever, had one replaced years ago, probably 6-7 years, but never really had an issue. I know OEM coils have historically been a weak point for these cars, so I tried to nip it in the bud over a decade ago.

I suppose it could be coil related, as anything is possible. I did notice some wires had once again rubbed through the ignition harness again, which caused me to blow my 10A engine fuse multiple times. I wrapped it in electrical tape to be safe, I don’t suspect this is the issue though as if it was, I’d be popping my engine fuse again. It’s something I do need to replace though. Not sure if Charles at BHR still makes an ignition harness since he updated his coils. I’ll reach out and see.

It’s crazy how fast time flies, and to think I’ve had this motor in my car for over a decade already blows my mind. Still pulls like a bat outta hell, but we could be getting to the point where I just have to shotgun the approach and throw money at it replacing parts.

 

Yeah, I've got BHR's on mine as well, and every time I took it to RP, Chris called them out as a failure point. He never liked them - not sure if he and Charles had personal issues, or if it was just a pure mechanical difference of opinion. Granted, calling around just made me ticked at local mazda shops. They want 140+ for what mazda parts sells for 80. Thinking I may just go the autozone route this time, lol.

 

Yeah, Chris and Dave have never liked the BHR coils, I did have one BHR coil fail before and RP diagnosed it and said something similar. Not exactly sure why as the GM D-585 coil is supposed to be pretty solid. Who knows brother.

I’d call Paul at Mazmart for any parts. Love supporting the local RX community and keeping them in business. Us Rotorheads need to stick together!

 

Just throwing my couple cents here about BHR coils if you’re looking to replace old coils. I’ve had the new Global Compliant version in my 8 for 3 1/2 years and about 75,000 kilometres. They still work fine. Might be an option cause I think alternate coils to Revision C Mazda are becoming scarce.

 

we gotta step our game up in North Tx, I don't see nearly enough RX-8's out here.

 

My guy! Been talking to Charles at BHR, he’s gonna be swinging through soon for DGRR, He’d like to link up with us but I never actually met you again post Sevenstock 13. Let’s exchange numbers so we can link up with our boy when he rides through DFW!

 

SevenStock 13?
that seems like a lifetime ago.

oh, didn't know Ray was going to DGRR. I'll have to look out for dates and see about us all linking up when he comes out this way.