eliseo65

Ok so I recently unflooded it. It walways shaked a lot and always had trouble starting especially when I pump gas. It got this new problem about a week or 2 before flooding it where it wasent as fast as before. I ran it hard today and didnt misfire but ive always had a misfire since I got it. I always put premium gas and I redline it and I changed the coils, wires, and plugs. But the spark plug are a little dark on top now after trying to unflood it. Can anyone help on how to stop this shaking and losing power I really want to take it to the track before it ends.

eliseo65

I dont know why I said will wont work but yea its not workimg well

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Check the catalytic converted for clogging and do a compression test. Don't drive it with a misfire!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I am having a terrible time sorting through what you are saying to know what the sequence of problems was, and what the current problem is. You jump all over the place.

eliseo65

1. The car has trouble turning on.
2. It shakes a lot.
3. It doesn't go as fast as it used to.

It does all this but I just put in a new ignition

eliseo65

Also in first gear it lags a little before taking off

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Trying to get information is like pulling teeth! Here is an example of someone that knows how to detail out what is going on: https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-te...6/#post4505680

Any chance you could try to be that descriptive?

What parts did you actually replace? Some people don't realize what all "ignition" entails. What tests have you run? What have you cleaned? What is the year, mileage, transmission? How long has it been doing this? Are there any conditions where it performs better or worse than other conditions? etc....


We can only help you as far as you are willing to help yourself. If you can't give us detailed information, we can't give you detailed answers.

eliseo65

I replaced the coil packs, spark plug wires, and spark plug. Ive cleaned the maf sensor with some brake cleaner. Thats about it. It is a 2004 with manual transmission, 131k miles. Ive had the car since 127k miles and it came with the car shaking and trouble turning on. At about 130k miles I started to feel it different like it didnt want to rub

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

You may have killed your MAF by using brake cleaner. It's really sensitive and can be damaged by many chemicals. Brake cleaner is one of the harshest ones I think. There is MAF specific cleaner available at any auto-parts store.


Additional possibilities:
- Engine is failing
- vacuum leak
- front O2 sensor failure
- e-shaft sensor fouled (it's a magnet that attracts junk)
- e-shaft sensor profile needs to be reset
- engine block ground is corroded and failing

eliseo65

The reason I cleaned the maf sensor was because I thought it needed it to stop shaking. I did replace the crankshaft sensor back when I thought that was the reason it didnt turn on.

Im gona order a new maf sensor and see what happens

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Testing is usually a better option than just throwing parts at the problem until it's fixed.

eliseo65

How can I test it

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I don't see anything in this thread where you pulled up the engine error codes. That should have been your first step.

bladeiai

iTrader: (1)

Also you have already stated that the problem existed before you cleaned the MAF. Why buy a new one at this point?

Also did you make sure that the nipples on the LIM are secured properly and not cracking from damage/age? You also might want to check the vacuum system visually really quick to make sure you didn't leave anything unplugged or knock anything loose.

eliseo65

Ok so today I took my rx8 to school tpday and the rpm keeped going up and down from 1000rpm to 1500 up and down.
Also it turned off on me while I got out an exit from the freeway.

So I need to know exactly what it is. Problems are
1. Didnt want to start after I turned it off to pump gas
2. Turned off after driving 20 minutes at 80mph
3. Rpm keeped going from 1k to 1.5krpms again and again.
4. Shakes a lot.
5. Feels weak sometimes
6. Lags on first gear

I probably forgot some

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Have you had a compression test? Because these are all signs of a finished engine.

However.. .you could also be getting unmetered air into the intake, or your MAF could be bonkers. See if any intake couplings/clamps are loose or lines unplugged/cracked.

Have the compression diagnosed, if it's fine then we can try to narrow down issues in the intake or elsewhere. There is only so much we can do sitting at the keyboard though, you have to go out and diagnose it.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Because he hosed his with brake cleaner. That isn't a chemical I'd feel comfortable using on the sensitive MAF. It's harsher than carb cleaner, and carb cleaner can damage the MAF

1: Compression failure, possibly being compounded by ignition failure, weak battery, or weak starter
2: Fuel pump failure assuming that you were at 80mph when it shut off
3: Neutral switch disconnected or failed
4: Motor mounts collapsing
5: Compression failure, ignition failure, vacuum leaks, MAF failure, O2 sensor failure, and/or clogged cat (and probably some more)
6: Compression failure, ignition failure, vacuum leaks, MAF failure, O2 sensor failure, and/or clogged cat (and probably some more)

eliseo65

Ive heard compression tests at mazda are really expensive. And I forgot to mention, I hear a pop on the exhaust when I take rpms high

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Popping is backfire, unburnt gas that is hot enough to ignite that is finally getting some air needed for combustion once it gets to the tailpipes.

Compression tests are $90 to $180 normally, sometimes as high as $250 depending on the dealer.

That's cheap given the cost of the other stuff you are looking at. If you have trouble with that price, then you probably are neglecting your 8 in many severe ways. The list of problems you have supports that theory.

If I got your 8 for free, I would probably easily dump $4,000 to $6,000 into it before I got it running where it should be. Engine for $2,500-$3,500, ignition for $200, Cooling system overhaul for $500, fuel pump for $100ish, motor mounts for $400, front O2 sensor for $250, MAF for $200, etc... Plus probably a week or so of work installing all of these and cleaning up everything else.

bladeiai

iTrader: (1)

And so in lies the misconception of the RX-8, especially now as the prices on the 2004 have dropped all to hell...
Just because you can buy it cheap or afford the monthly payment DOES NOT mean you can afford the car. This is not specifically directed at the OP, but is a rising problem it would seem in new owners.

bse50

Amen.
A properly built engine costs more than an used rx8.