mgoce2

Hey guys, i have a 2004 rx8 standard with 123xxx miles on the car, with a new engine with only 18000 miles on it. when the motor was replaced, the plugs, wires, and coils were replaced as well!

A couple days ago it started losing power after 3500rpms, only if i pushed the gas down anymore than slightly, it would bog and shutter. car does not die, and turns on fine. if i pressed it like a grandma it would build rpms all the way up. i could tell power was limited. my engine light has been on for awhile from the P0420 code, then it would go off for awhile, then come back. but whenever my car would lose power at 3500rms the CEL would start blinking. i immediately drove it to get the code read....It was P0420(catalyst system), and P0302(rear rotor misfire). then i drove it home and it has been sitting there for the past 2 days.

I checked the MAF sensor and very carefully cleaned it, air filter looked pretty clean, did a quick check on the plug wires, and they all seem tight. i unhooked the battery to reset everything, and did the 20 tap on the break reset. The engine still bogged just sitting in the drive way in neutral. i took the front side of the catalytic converter off too where i could look inside to see if it was clogged. it looks very clean on the front honeycombs, so idk if it could still be clogged or not???

i also found some hard gunk, on the lower end of the catalytic converter, right before the connection.

Please any help or advice yall could give me would be a lifesaver!!!

below are some images i took with my phone, idk if you will be able too see them correctly, i am posting them from a mac so idk how they will send.

http://mail.aol.com/37715-111/aol-6/...Inbox&partId=6

http://mail.aol.com/37715-111/aol-6/...Inbox&partId=4

http://mail.aol.com/37715-111/aol-6/...Inbox&partId=5

http://mail.aol.com/37715-111/aol-6/...Inbox&partId=2

FungsterRacing

iTrader: (4)

Please see the link in my signature for misfire issues and fixes. But from what I have read, it sounds like your CAT is clogged pretty bad, which could be causing ignition / other varios issues. I would take off the CAT immediately to inspect it and either gut it out or get a midpipe (such as BHR). I would then replace the ignition with BHR's ignition system - Remember, you have to change plugs as well as coils at the same time... but if you get BHR's kit you will most likely never have to replace the coils.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Linking us pictures from your private email account only works if you also give us your email login information

Try using a different method, or uploading them directly to the site (click manage attachments button on the reply page)

420 means your cat has failed. Misfires can be almost anything

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

@ AOL email.

mgoce2

Sorry guys i have taken off the cat and this is what it looks like. Sorry the pictures didnt load before, i had a feeling it was going to mess up!! Thanks for the replies, i just cant believe this is happening so fast with the new stuff, cause i try to take care of my 8 big time.

mgoce2

Idk why but when the code got read, it showed two codes for the rear misfire

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

The last 2 pictures look like a bag was stuck to the pipe and it melted there. That is back on the resonator section though, there is no cat element back on that section, and while that looks ugly, it's not where your problem is. The front section is where the cat elements are. Your picture really doesn't show us much though. You need a straight shot on the element, not one at an angle. Ideally you should have a strong light on the other end, or a strong flash on your camera.

A cat can be clogged without being broken up.


Clogged cats can cause misfires amoung MANY other items. And misfires can cause cats to clog. Yes, both directions. See the misfire link in my sig.

The 420 code is cat efficiency, which means exhaust is getting past the front element without being cleaned.

mgoce2

Appreciate the help, i have read your misfire section. would it be stupid to drive the car or start it without the cat being hooked up? Too see if thats where the problem is? Or could i try it to knock off one of the reasons it could be misfiring?

and would it be smart to just get it towed to the dealership and get the compression checked before spending any time/money on the other issues?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

You can do short careful drives without the cat hooked up, but you have two problems you can come across:
1) it's going to be loud. CRAZY loud. Ear bleedingly loud. Neighbors call the cops on you loud.
2) Catless rotaries tend to shoot flames out of the tailpipes. Disconnect the cat, and those flames are now under your car. Can cause some pretty severe problems.



There isn't much reason to think it's compression loss at the moment. You had the symptoms of a clogged cat, and a CEL for cat failure. Until you conclusively rule out the cat, as a current problem, don't go pursuing other stuff.

Your cat failed for a reason though, and ignition is your best bet. Yes, you said coils, plugs, and wires were replaced at the same time, but unless the replacement was done by an independent shop or the owner with documentation, then pretty much don't trust it. We have seen documentation that a dealer replaced the ignition during engine replacement turn out to be complete fabrication.

LOTS of other reasons for misfires though. You will need to get the cat fixed/replaced, and then start running through the Misfire? Start Here thread to find the source of the problem.

A new cat at the dealer will cost you $1,300 or $2,600, depending on the dealer. You are out of all warranties. I recommend getting a used cat from the classifieds here, or get a midpipe. You will have to solve for your local emissions testing.

mgoce2

I supplied the dealership with the new parts when they were replacing the engine, and the wires look like the new ones for sure, i guess i cant fully trust if the plugs and the coils are the new ones i gave them.

Anyways thats was my main concern about the flames...

I guess i will try to find a used midpipe. and if the problem was the cat, if i replaced it with the midpipe, and reset everything and started the car should it run normally instantly? I really appreciate your help btw!!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Correct. If you install a midpipe, any cat clog problem would be eliminated.

mgoce2

scratch that lol im going to gut it tomorow morning and will post about the outcomes!!

mgoce2

Hey guys removed the cat completely, blew compressed air through it and could feel it on the other side, removed the o2 sensor and could see light through it, only through the center about the size of a nickel, couldnt see anything else around that. Here are some new pictures i have taken, it seems to look like there is only that nickel size gap in the pictures that is more see through than the edges. it also looks fractured inside. Tell me what yall think, again air does go through.

I also have pictures of the front o2 sensor and the rear one. and some pics of the MAF that still has a little dirt on the tip-frontside by the air filter.

What do yall think about gutting it in the morning? and do the 02 sensor's look normal, or good?

ugabuga

Hey I am having the P0302 code as well. Also showing up twice for me. Did you gut it? Was it clogged indeed?