Hello everybody this is my first post Ive ever done after reading so much on this forum. But now it's time I post on this forum after having problems with my RX8. Im going to be very detailed so thank you for reading my detailed story.

I've had my 07 Rx8 for two years now not knowing what I was getting myself into. A few weeks ago I was leaving a friend's house when all of a sudden at a red light going uphill my 8 stalls. Would restart my car only to having rough idle eventually stalling again only on idle. After finally starting it up at painfully getting myself up that hill I pull over to some nearby apartments. I open my hood to see that one of my belt was tearing. Changed the belt. Still same idle stall issue. Had to tow it to my house as I was 30 minutes away from my home knowing my car would not make it. Also a really foul smell was coming from my exhaust. But here the thing I don't have a cat. So it couldnt be a clogged cat. Started working on it when I finally got my NGk spark plugs and wires. I wanted the ignition coils to be my last resort in case I didn't really need them as I examined them 2 out of the 4 seemed OEM. The other 2 didn't seem to have part numbers on them so I probably do need ignition coils.

After changing spark plugs and wires I test drove it today. When I start rpms hit all the way to 2k rpm then settle at 1k. As I was driving pushing the gas no power was given unless I hit around 3k rpm I will feel a bit of power but still alot of roughness and shakey driving. Still the foul smell appeared.

Before visiting my friends I did put a bit coolant in the radiator. Maybe I did fill it up too much. Or maybe since she lives in a hilly area I did bump my under side of the car. Or what I hope not I new engine rebuild. I don't know much from the previous owner as she would just tell me she would take it to the shop not knowing what they had to fix before. Can anyone help me please.

 

Had somewhat similar issues, rough idle and engine would turn off but no foul smell that I can remember. The issue was a test cone filter I used kept unclamping the clamp on the accordion tube and maf would go crazy.
When I tightened the clamp, problem was resolved.
So maybe you can check your air filter box/cai, your maf?

 

Hi M00MBAHRX8, welcome to the club.

If you could let us know your location, someone will surely be able to recommend a reliable shop to investigate your issue.
Foul smell from the exhaust is not a good sign.

Please don't drive your car.

Best of luck!

 

Coils are usually first resort, not last. Replace them all, having 2 different kinds is already suspicious. The foul smell could be unburnt fuel?

Also check for oil in your intake and clean the MAF if dirty.

You were able to change the belt on the spot just like that?

 

When I changed out my spark plugs and wires. I did remove the air filter and MAF. And clean both as well. Maybe I just need a MAF sensor? Something I forgot to mention OBD did read for a misfire. So I wouldn't assume MAF for a misfire.

 

I live in Texas. When my car broke down and it was sitting at the apartments I did look for nearby shops and went to some in person and asked. Out of all places Firestone was nearby and they gave me a quote over $600 adding other unnecessary things. Plus I couldn't even bring my own specific parts. It had to be thru their own source which was absurd. When I was talking to the guy upfront a mechanic walked in behind home and said "rotary?" In a unfashionable way. So I didn't really trust them with my car and I never called back lol.

 

That is what I assumed after taking out the ignition coils. I believe they only changed two out of the 4 when the previous owner took them to the shop. I don't want to get BHR but I'd really like to but this car is already 10k miles away from 200,000 miles. I don't assume it needs a engine rebuild as I'm pretty sure the 8 already had one with that many miles. There is a specific rotary shop here in Texas that sells their own coil parts. The shop itself has good reviews on Google. But the parts idk. I might have to give them a call to see how long they last as I'm pretty sure they use their own parts when they work on rotarys. And when I did replace the spark plugs I did clean the k&n filter and MAF with their own specific cleaner.
And yes I'm probably not being specific but the belt under the airbox was easy to do on the spot.
Here's a link to their website. https://rotaryperformance.com/produc...-ignition-coil