Hello guys. I am writing this post as I have a big favor to ask of you.

Whenever I start the engine in the morning (very cold weather recently), my 2005 RX8 (8,500miles) has irregular emissions and even make donuts at the exhaust muffler (plz see the attached video clips). Now CEL is on (error code: P0301-rotor 1 misfire). But after warming up, idling and exhausting become RELATIVELY stable (still making donuts at the muffler).


I’ve replaced wires, coils, plugs, air filter and even cleaned the MAF sensor. But there is still same issue. FYI, I got the engine compression test two months ago and the result was pretty good (rotor 1 7.1-7.2-7.1 / rotor 2 7.8-7.9-7.8). I have no idea what I should do &( (after driving my RX8 in the US for 6 years, I’ve taken my car to Korea a few months ago. There are no official dealer shops here.).

I plan to replace injectors, crank sensors, and O2 sensor soon, but I need your advice plz!

 

go out and drive it hard, real hard!!!! beat the crap out of it.

the car will thank you..

these are things i know!


beers

 

Has your coolant level been dropping?

 

How does it smell? Sweet?

 

I had white smoke while my water seal was on the way out, and the exhaust didn't smell sweet at all. If it does smell sweet it's definitely coolant, but at least in the case of my car, it can still be coolant if it doesn't smell sweet.

 

how good is the premium gas quality in Korea vs the US

 

Nope~ Coolant level is stable. Nothing changed.

 

It’s not sweet smell. But smell like some chemical one (not a gas smell). &(

 

Thank you so much for your comments! I will definitely check my water seal!

 

As I know, the quality of gas in Korea is similar with that of US. Premium gas in KR is around 96-100 RON (FYI, 96 RON=91 Octane)…

 

Uhh octane rating in North America is the average of the RON and MON ratings. But I don't think that's your problem.

 

You can't check the water seals without opening up the engine If you have a water seal that's breaking down, you'll need a rebuild soon. But if your coolant level is stable, you probably don't have a problem with the water seals.