jamesf

iTrader: (1)

Yeah im trying not to get discouraged. I appreciate all the help. I just get bummed sometimes because I still am at my house and even though it is my car, my parents kind of annoy me when I try to do diy stuff with my car because they think I'm going to break it lol, which is prolly sometimes true. So I just get nervous about doing all this testing and replacing, like if it didnt start and I made things worse and had to bring it back to the dealer =p. But you guys have given me so much help that I am getting a bit more confident. I'm going to go for replacing the coils AND the plugs. For the coils though, I am going to take off the drivers side tire to do this. I hear that theyre like right there when you take it off? I dont feel confident enough to remove the whole air filter mechanism on the top, because its the stock 1. Think it'll still be easy from there?

Anyways these are the coils I got:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...___#fragment-3

Are those sufficient? (BWD Intermotor Ignition Coil)

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

^Yes, those are sufficient.
Once you get in there and start doing the work, you'll gain confidence quickly! Just remember to do 1 plug and 1 coil at a time Or, follow the picture below

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

wow you know whats kinda funny is that picture helped me out like 9999x over LOL. I kinda wondered what everything looked like without all the mess. I read some one saying that they were actually able to change the coils without removing anything it was just tricky with their hands. I have small hands so I might see if its possible somehow just to do it like that.

Then ill jack up the front and do some spark plug action. Thanks a lot for giving me the motivation . If i still get a CEL thrown, ill bring it to mazda to check. Its kinda strange though, I got the CEL on my way back to work on a random acceleration, but I drove it really aggressively for like 30 minutes after I got home to test it, and it didnt throw 1 flashing cel at all. dunno what was going on with it. I figure the other 2 coils are probably going bad, or are about to go bad.

Btw another question I really wanted to ask. Ill make a video sooner rather than later to demonstrate what i mean but, when I leave my car at idle, it gives a "Blip" kind of sound once every 7-8 seconds or so. Kind of does a quick shake in the cabin like somethin bad flew through the exhaust pipe. Now dont get me wrong its not like the earthquake of the century inside the cabin or anything, but is that a problem? or a common occurance with this car? I dont know if thats considered a "Misfire" and can damage my engine and I need to get it checked out, or something else.

Thanks rx8 soldier for the advice

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

By the way quick question about resetting the abs. When I turned the ignition to the on position (but not starting it), I cant really turn the wheel to the left or right. Its locked. It turns a tiny bit but only if I force it and I dont want to break anything. Am I doing something wrong with that?

When I turned the car back on this morning the light went off. Is that normal? (like after 1 drive cycle, the next restart it goes out), or does that just mean its still turned off, theres just no light on the dash after a drive cycle.

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

Anyways, I attempted to do 3 things. I attempted to:

Change the coils,
Change the plugs,
and replace the starter.

I ran into issues. Please help me out.


First things first, the reason I couldnt do any of these things was because I just couldnt reach them... The starter seemed to be the easiest to access because it is plop right under the car, no hidden corners or anything. Questions: Aside from the bolts, what wires do I snap off?

Is it that small black clip there along with that white plastic clip? or are there other wires to disconnect? (I tried pinching and wiggling that black wire but it wouldnt seem to budge.

2nd Question: Spark plugs.

This is what I ended up with when I took off the tire. I could see the spark plugs pretty well, and was able to take off the wires. Problem? I cant fit a ratchet in there. I tried using an extension that extends way far enough but it is not a straight enough angle to where the socket fits the spark plug evenly. That whole black plastic part on the right is in the way.


And I mean that the whole plastic like wheel well that the screw is attached to is in the way. Whats the secret?

Lastly... the coils. No way I can do it without taking stuff off. Is there an easy way to do this without taking off the WHOLE air intake system (for a newb like me )?

Thanks guys.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

1. The "blip" (every 7-8 sec) is normal.
2. Yes, after a drive cycle, the DSC light will go off (unless you have other issues)

3. Have you read through the DIY's, producing step by step instructions on how to do those things?
Starter removal

The plugs and coils are already linked, earlier in the thread.
Unfortunately, you'll have to remove the air box. It really isn't too hard. There are videos on youtube, and DIY's here that will assist with that

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

thanks soldier.

Yeah that starter diy looks rlly good. And yeah ill try my best with the coils eventually. Only thing is though, I remember in the DIY for the spark plugs, they said to remove the splash guard. Isnt that the small cloth thing there that is hanging in the picture? I removed that but the extension still doesnt fit straight. Does that whole plastic structure behind the wheel come out or something?

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

Do you have the proper tools? You need at least 1 swivel for your ratchet, to reach the rears (at least I do...)

Cvzrx8

lol for the rears i just get under the car with a small extension and get them off like that lol and for the fronts a wobble extension or a universal joint really helps (not the crappy ones that bind up, but the ones with the ball inside that turns smoothly lol) starter is really simple ive had to take it off a couple times... clutch and tranny replacement... when i first did my coils i took off my strut bar and then just the rubber tube between the airbox and throttle body and fit my hands in there just gotta be careful with the plastic elbows connected into the tubing attached to the 3 hoses because they are brittle and can crack pretty easily just a heads up lol

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

Is this an upgraded starter?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260979887532...84.m1497.l2649

It says it "Replaces" the part number i already have. So I dont know if that means its the same one or not. Some one had told me that if it is 2.0 kw, its the upgraded starter. And thats what that one says.

If it is the upgraded starter, will that be ok with my stock battery? (It was just replaced with a new 1 however by my dealer).

Bladecutter

The easiest way to access the coils is this:

Remove the black metal brace that crosses over the engine bay.
Just a couple of nuts on each side of it holds it down.
Extremely easy to remove.

Remove the black accordion tube between the airbox and the throttle body.
Two hose clamps on it, and unplug any hoses that connect to it.
Everything goes back on just one way, so you don't have to worry about screwing it up, and you already have pictures of how everything reconnects.

You can remove the air box's air filter cover door if you want at this point, but I don't think you need to. Just unhook the MAF connector, and remove it. Even easier than any other step so far.

Next up, just unplug the spark plug wire from the coil you want to replace, unplug the electrical connector from the coil, remove the nut that holds the coil down, and off it comes. Installing the new one is exactly the reverse procedure.

Tip, if you are going to replace all of them at the same time, I would recommend taping numbers 1,2,3 and 4 to the 4 spark plug wires, so you know which wire goes to which coil.

The reason for doing this is that its much easier to replace coil #4 when you already have coil #3 removed. MUCH, MUCH easier. The other three you can do one at a time without any issues.

Also, if you don't already have one, get a magnetic pick up tool.
It will make getting those little nuts that hold the coils down so much easier to retrieve when you remove them from the coil, and you can use the magnet to fish them back out of the engine bay if (when) you drop one.

Its very very easy to replace the coils on this engine.

BC.

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

thanks bc, Ill give it a shot when I get home.

btw... does any one ACTUALLY use the jack that came with the rx8? Ive been using that on the drivers side front to get at the spark plugs/starter. However... to get at the starter I actually have to lay underneath the car... and well, I can do it but, I get a little paranoid about the jack failing. I put my tire underneath the side but its too far back as to where I really think itd save me.

I have another jack but unfortunately I dont really have any inventive tools/supports to make it compatible with the rib on the side. so... all in all:

For the quick procedure of changing the starter, would you trust that jack (With the tire under the side)?

Or am i f****** crazy?

Spin9k

yes... and don't EVER do it. You can find obits of people who have tried this on cars. It's unsafe and dangerous to try. Just put your $10 jack from any parts store or walmart under there where the jack would go. No problem, no damage, live long

SubliminalPollution

Fuuuuck, I wouldn't trust it. Just get a pair of jack stands off Amazon bud.

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=15708041

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

A good rule of thumb to ALWAYS remember when working on your car:

It's not a matter of IF a jack will fail, but WHEN.

I replace mine every other year, even if it's "working fine", and always keep at least 1 jack in my trunk, so worst case I still have a jack to use.

fuztupnz

iTrader: (4)

seriously, Get some jackstands. You can get them at any parts store, walmart, whatever for $25 or less.

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

Oh yeah, dont worry about the jackstands, I have some of them. My questions was more or less, can I sill use the oem jack to like, support the drivers side? like ugh I wish I could explain it better. I meant can I use the OEM jack to jack up the car (but use jackstands/backups underneath, etc.)

Also, for the jackstands, where are the best places to put them?

Spin9k

I always have used a hydraulic floor jack under front or rear center lift points (see the manual there are pictures, but they are the center front subframe and the diff case), then stick the jack stands where you'd normally put the Mazda jack, then let the car down on them and rest there, nice and solid.

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Can I do one side at a time? Or do I have to do all front, or all back. I just need to lift my drivers side up really.

Spin9k

If you lift front center and put a jack on the driver side front, that whole side (front and rear tire) will be up in the air when you remove the hydraulic jack.

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

Awesome. I think Im gonna have to try that. as far as the jack stands go, do you put anything on them so they dont damage the underside rib thing?

Also, for the hydraulic jack, I guess I could buy one but, I have the one where you have a handle coming out of the end to pump it up, no way I'm getting that under the car lol, do you use an electric one? And if so, do you use anything to put between the car and the jack, like a small 2x4 or something like that?

Also for the drivers side front will a 2ton jack suffice? I know the car is ~3k lbs but i just wanna make sure!

Spin9k

Ah Ha! You want the secrets.... Jack the side of the car up with the Mazda jack so you can get under with the other (mine was the floor type with the loooong handle not the little one.). Once you do that take the weight of the car with the floor jack, remove the Mazda one, replace with jack stand and let down on the stand. Presto!

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

haha thanks =). Ill go to home depot and look around. I guess my main concern at this point now, is knowing where to put the jack to jackup the whole front/center of the car. I hear people say "if you dont know where the specific jack point is, its risky", well let me tell you LOL, its pretty risky for me then lol.

Every1 said "rear differential spot, front frame... etc" I dont really know how to point out these specific things... its a 2005 rx8 and underneath the car theres a whole bunch of stuff. I havent been able to examine the bottom and learn what things are for myself cause im too afraid of getting crushed lol. Is there any like landmark/sure fire spot that I'll know its ok to put the jack under? (ill prolly use a small 2x4 inbetween the jack and the spot if its ok)

Spin9k

You need to get under, esp the front, it's hard to see and if you miss ... opps .. don't do that...trouble will insue! No 2x4...metal to metal is best.

Here's the crossmemebr pic best I could find marked w/blue.

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

you know what I'll do, Ill get my jacks, get home, use the OEM jack, and take a picture of the bottom. Can you circle with paint where it is plz LOL.