Need to make a quick decision so any advice appreciated.

Took my 2005 RX-8 Auto in to the dealership for a CEL (P0661 - SSV solenoid valve control circuit low)

They came back with:
1) Replace shutter valve on intake ($830)
2) Replace transmission oil pan ($230)

Plus a few misc items - TOTAL = $1350?!?!?!

Does this seem at all reasonable? Is this the going rate? Or is this a rip?

 

*stealership

There are diy's to do these things on the forum if you want to do it yourself.

 

Well as far as the first one, it is somewhat labor intensive depending on your skill level, so that might be the reason for that. But before you do that take a look at the following thread because there are some troubleshooting steps that you can follow that can save you a ton of time and money.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...ow-2-a-182125/

I will be honest and say I haven't seen the RX8's automatic oil pan ... but if it is like most other foreign cars, this can be a DIY that wouldn't take too long. I have a couple of documents for RX8 repair on my website so you can take a look at the 2004 service manual for some detail on the transmission oil pan and the efforts for replacement

Normalexception.net - Documents

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CASE & MAIN CONTROL SYSTEM (4-SPEED). Fits: Mazda | Jim Ellis Mazda (Parts 19835 and 19836 for the pan and gasket)

 

You only need the solenoid for the SSV which you can find online and there are DIY's to replace it yourself. Even with that said, it shouldn't be more than a couple hours of labor on the car and $45-65 for the solenoid online. Total cost shouldn't be more than $300, or $80 if you do it yourself.

1) The shutter valve itself on the intake manifold has nothing to do with circuits or electrical at all. Its air/vacuum operated by the electrical solenoid. The solenoid is not maintaining sufficient electrical current as determined by the PCM. Here is a quote directly out of the service manual.

"The PCM monitors the SSV solenoid valve control voltage when the PCM turns the SSV solenoid valve off. If the control voltage is less than 5.8 V, the PCM determines that the SSV solenoid valve control circuit voltage is low."

Replace the SSV solenoid and your problem will be resolved.

2) The transmission oil pan has absolutely NOTHING to do with an intake solenoid. They can go sit on a 6-foot cactus.

 

I'm assuming w/ #2 they probably saw a dent or ding or leak. Hopefully they mentioned it as aside of the SSV issue and not as a cause of it lol

 

Yes, should have made that clearer. They mentioned the transmission oil pan as a separate issue that they "discovered"...

 

Just checking out the DIYs. This looks significantly beyond my skills and expertise (and tools).

Plan B is to find a non-dealership mechanic to do this work.

Any advice on how urgent these fixes are? RX-8 seems to drive fine but I'm wondering if this is really something I need fixed ASAP?

 

Really depends on why they think that you need a transmission pan. Could just be a simple dent that isn't in any way impacting drivability or isn't causing a leak.

As far as the SSV ... its going to rob you of some power and gas mileage.

Try this for the SSV as well...it could just be stuck due to carbon/oil buildup:

https://www.rx8club.com/australia-ne...closed-182041/

 

The work is not tough. Check around for a member in the area. It just takes time. The valve should be visible after the battery and thermostat housing are out. But, while in there, doing the SSV is not a bad thing.

Where are you located?

 

I got the same code coming from my 2005 RX-8 and a private shop hit me at $600 dollars, and I am just not gonna pay them that kind of money, the solenoid part costs me like $50 at autozone where I have a hook up here in Atlanta, GA, the car struggles from time to time to get to 7500RPM after passing the 5k mark, and at first it was making a roaring noise when accelerated at that level of RPM's, now that sound is gonee but is a dog some times, gonna get my friend Frank to work on taking the manifold down after watching a video here on how to do it, and following the advice of fellow RX-8 fanatics, I have 101500 miles on mine and I have really taken care of this engine, so I doubt is my engine, any input will be appreciated.