Ktlatwig

Just got an 05 RX8 last week, only 67k miles... This morning the engine light started flashing and I lost power. Started right back up, pulled over to a parking lot and it shut off again and now the light is just on, not flashing. Took it straight to advanced auto and got the code P0301, cylinder 1 misfire. Once I get going it seems to run fine but like I said, I'm new to this and I did some research on rotaries before I bought it so I suspected it wouldn't be a total cake walk. First I'm thinking have the plugs, wires and coils replaced... Any other suggestions?

iTs Ghastly

Plugs, wires, coils are a good place to start, also clean MAF with MAF cleaner (obvious i know, but some people have used carb cleaner or other cleaners and done damage to the MAF, so you can never be too specific i guess) , afterward do the 20 break stomp (google it if you dont know what im talking about. )

I hope that you did your research before you purchased your vehicle and got a rotary specific compression test. If not, it may be wise to get one of those before you spend too much more money on it, as it will tell you the health of your engine and let you know if you have bigger problems than coils and plugs and such.

Please note that your typical compression test is not helpful for this vehicle and it requires a rotary specific compression test using a special tool that only mazda and a rotary specialist (or entheusiast) would own. I myself have one, but the mazda OEM comp tester is several thousand dollars, and typical garages will not have one laying around. Do some research about these compression tests if you dont know exactly what im talking about. i have posted detailed descriptions and links referring to what you should be looking for in a compression test on other threads, so if you wish to see them, just go to my profile and search up posts by me, or search other compression threads, shouldnt be too hard to find what you're looking for.

Good luck and report back after doing some troubleshooting!

Ktlatwig

I wish I had done a little more and had a compression test done on it before I bought it. I'm hoping it's an easy fix but I'm not comfortable doing the work on it myself yet, my friend had the same problem with his a while back when he first got it, took it to the dealer and swapping out the ignition was close to $1200. Not excited about that but I guess we'll see what they think!

Ktlatwig

One more question... I am new to this, I'm Katie if you can't tell by my username so I am a girl, idk I've heard that helps get answers on here hahaha

I've figured out that BWD coils and NGK plugs are good just from searching the boards, but I'm a little stuck on wires. I get that Racing beat are good but I'm looking for something I can get at advance, hopefully quickly. Are NGK wires bad? I've found posts that say not to bother with these wires but some are 10+ years old so maybe they've made some updates by now.

Also, I'm hoping to do this myself. The dealer charged my friend with an RX8 $1200 to do the ignition, it seems pretty easy and I'd rather do it for a few hundred bucks. I've done some work on my mustang before no problem and this seems pretty straightforward. Not looking to get BHR right now either.

Thanks guys

iTs Ghastly

To be honest, if you have or can get the money you really should just go with BHR and get eerything taken care of in one swoop. BHR you can get upgraded coils that will likely last the remainder of the lifetime of your car, you get appropraite wires to go with those coils, and you can get your spark plugs with the kit, and everything will be top notch. Plus the customer service and follow up support from charles is Par none.

After all of that, if you do it yourself, you will have an ignition that shouldnt have to be touched for quite some time, and is a signifigant upgrade as far as reliability from stock. Autozone/Advanced might be closer/quicker/cheaper, but with this car, you really do get what you pay for. and if changing your ignition out every 30,000 miles or less doesnt appeal to you, why not just do it right the first time.

Charles uses MSD ignition wires , which if i remember correctly, advanced/autozone might also have. here is a link for charles' wire only kit.

Black Halo Racing Performance Plug Wires for OEM Coils | Black Halo Racing

On top of the rest of the stuff i mentioned, it may be worth noting you have two different types of spark plugs, 2 leading, and 2 trailing. Be sure to install the appropriate spark plugs in their appropraite holes, as they are slightly different lengths and could cause issues if leadings go into trailing holes.

Ktlatwig

Turns out I had dead coils (and a broken engine mount��) glad I took it in. On the bright side, the tech said its one of the best 05 engines he's seen in a while. Hope it stays that way! I love this car but I'm scared to death of hurting it with user error. I'm definitely reading the boards daily just learning as much as I can, hopefully I'll get my jitters out and it'll be fun again. Thanks for the help guys!

Khurram

Welcome aboard! great info provided above by iTs Ghastly..

Am glad everything worked out just fine for you. Read up on the new / potential owners thread its packed with tons of knowledge and info on this car.

Just drive it like you'd normally drive another car, make sure your oil is topped up, keep an eye on the coolant level and redline it once in a while and she shall treat you nicely :-)

and of course, if you run into any issues, feel free to post em here and the awesome folks here will guide you in the right direction.

All the best!

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

dead coils lead to dead cats which kills engines. ngk wires are oem iirc. ive used racing beat ones too. wheres your location? if you dont have emmissions there i would suggest replacing the cat with a mid pipe. welcome and as others have said read the new owners threads

Ktlatwig

Thank you! I'm already on top of the oil, I've redlined it a few times but I've also run into the bad coolant reservoir sensor issue. I had it inspected while it was in the shop and asked about the coolant because the light had come on a few times on the interstate, he said the level was fine so I did some searching and found a bunch of posts on it. I'm gonna keep an eye on it, it only comes on when I'm going 70+ for a while, if I shift or slow down for a few seconds it goes off, just annoying. No change in temp so I don't think it's an actual problem.

200.mph, I'm in Harrisonburg VA. Unfortunately I just put a grand into it on top of buying it and I have massive student loans since I just graduated, so I gotta take getting new parts one step at a time.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

i might have a set of ngk wires in the garage with about 2k miles on them if ya still need wires. we have a few members in va that im sure would give ya a hand, two of them are girls too

Ktlatwig

I just had the coils replaced, the wires and plugs were new in Feb so I think I'm good for now. I'll probably get BHR next so I don't have to worry about it again I would love to get in contact with some other members in VA though

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

well dom recently moved to va beach area and i dont remember what parts blue honey or pnwheel live in. post in the regional forum if you are looking for local meets