My RX-8 Journey begins
 

Hi all, ok so I read up on the beginner threads, after I came across a deal on a salvaged (insurance payoff due to bumper and passenger front panel) 04 with 65k miles on her. I looked up the carfax and noticed that it was serviced regularly as it should and she seemed in VERY good cosmetic condition, non smoker, no signs of abuse, the last owner seemed to really care for this car. I then called mazda, to check for the MSP16 and others, but was not given any particular info, but was instructed to call the dealership it was serviced at.

It appears that she had been sitting a while, and ran some codes. P0113 P0103 P0301.

I will do the advised oil, filter, coils, wires, plugs, MAF clean and see what happens. I think maybe a CAT, and O2 may be in store. Any ideas? Oh yea, I did start her good idle at first then slightly rough and uneven. Sometimes, sluggish on take off, CEL on but was off at first, but flashed after a day, no changes in codes though. I will schedule a compression test at a Mazda soon, however should I before replacing all the above? Thanks.

Ok got off phone with Mazda dealer in SD, CA and I was told that all recalls including PCM Nov 07 done! also that a NEW engine installed on 05-2010. So far so good. -- I will put in the wires, plugs, and coils in today, new battery, connectors. Any help from experienced owners? Thank you for this site, I will be religiously on here lol.

Ok got the wires coils and plugs. new battery and cat hopefully to come.

all codes gone! so far so good, ill still get the battery and cat anyway.

I bought some terminals for the battery and a new costco battery. I was not able to take out the poss terminal from the clap, the nut is on too tight, and that particular side has all the white bluish corrosion. any idea what to use to get this nut loose? should i reset the ecu as well? thanks.

I use WD-40 to loosen a nut. The ECU will reset by itself when you change the battery.

Thank you, also, at night, the shift stick control on the center console does not illuminate the drive park, reverse, manual.... everything on the dash illuminates, the radio is ok, just not the console, or is there no glow on the gears? weird.

Ok so I have taken some pics of what the coils and spark plugs look like when they are done, hope this helps someone. I'm sure this has been posted before but, it doesn't hurt to post it again.

Your spark plug picture is a wee bit blurry.
Feel free to retake it, and post clearer pictures.

Are you planning on having the compression on your car tested to see how it really is, or are you just going to hope for the best?

Also, you should create a mymazda login and record all of the services that you are doing to your car. Even though you know it was a salvaged car, Mazda might not.

BC.

Just do a full tune-up and hope it would help with your issues your getting, good luck and update us with the outcome.

tried to create a mymazda log in but it wouldnt let me... dunno why, i did gt a full tune up. It is now running great, sometimes it cranks for a couple secs before it starts, usually when warm. I'm coming to the conclusion that a cat change is in store. I did find out that the new engine was put in june of 2010, so according to the carfax and mazda, the new engine has about 12k miles. All other flashes and recalls were already performed on the car.

Theres a little white smoke in the mornings or when cold starting. I'm still leaning towards a new cat. any ideas?

so i reset the navram and now its running way smoother, any ideas why this would happen?