Hey All,

It has been so long since I posted here I forgot my login password. I have a 2004 RX8 WB GT. It was just about to roll to 85,000 miles today (84,994 at time the tow truck dropped it off). I just got finished paying the sucker off the other day. It figures something would happen.

Here is what happened, anyone know what it might be? I was driving on cruise control like I often do and it started to act a little sluggish like I was reving it and then backing off of it (jumping a bit). Shortly after this the CEL began to flash on and off repetitively. Soon after this the car would not rev at all. If I pressed the gas petal it just didn't respond if I was in gear, but it would rev if I put it in neutral. if I switched to a lower gear or higher gear the rpm's were adjusted accordingly, but I would not get any additional acceleration by pressing the gas petal.

I decided not to chance anything and used my roadside assistance to have a free tow to a local dealership. It is sounding a little strange when cranked and has a noticeable different smell to the exhaust. The mazda guy said it sounds like it might be the CAT. I don't know enough to make a determination either way.

What do you guys believe it could be? This sucks as I worked my butt off to pay this car off and for the first time in my life do not have a car note -- now this happens. I was hoping the car would be good to go for at least 3-4 more years and another 50-80K miles.

 

clogged cat and also dirty sparkplugs might be bad coils

 

Thanks for the reply. After reading through the forums a bit there are a few things it could be. It seems a lot of people had issues with plugs/coils/wires as well. I have never had to change mine. At 85K miles and only thing I have had to have done (aside from any recall notices) was to replace the visors and a new battery.

There is probably a slew of things that need to be done to the car. I tried my best to take care of it, but I got low on funds and ignored the all scheduled maintenance after the 35K maintenance [aside from tires/breaks/rotors/etc..]. Heck most of the miles were put on in a matter of 2 years from there. Its funny as I had planned to take it in for maintenance and tuning next month. The CEL came on at about 65K miles and was diagnosed as a heater wire issue (which makes sense as the heater would fail to register it was on heat unless I twisted the **** like a madman) I guess it decided to not let me wait that long.

 

poor coils and plugs cause the engine to dump a lot of gas into the cat melting the stuff inside.

 

you killed your kitty.

Look into aftermarket high flow cats since you're out of warranty, or a midpipe if you dont have to worry about emissions.

 

The dealership called and here is a list of what they gave me and a price to fix:

4 coils (N3H118100D9U)
4 plugs (N3Y818110)
4 wires (N3H118140B)
decarb procedure
1 cat (N3Y32055XA)
1 gasket (N3H140305)
1 o2 sensor (N3H318861B9U)

All part are OEM with part numbers

$2680.35

What does everyone here suggest? I need to make the best out of a bad situation here. Are there any aftermarket parts that will work and are in the same price range as the OEM? Does this price seem a bit excessive for what needs to be done?

 

tell the dealer to **** off. buy all the stuff yourself and do it in an afternoon for less than $400

 

I found this on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...ht_2433wt_1165

 

Similar thing happened to me. After my 4th payment on an 05' with only 35k miles on it, it stalled on the highway the same way yours did. I had brushed off all 4 plugs a few weeks before. But It wasn't enough. If I had the money I would keep the car and enjoyed it more. but I had to give it back to the dealer and loose my down payment. Eff these dealer that cant stop liying. The car was too nice to be true.

 

Plugs and wires through TH Motorsports (visit vendor ads, special still going) $117

Coil Set through Mazmart $150

Used Midpipe or high flow cat $200 + more power

Gasket under $10

Can of Seafoam $5

Install it all and see if you need an 02 sensor, I didnt.

NEW RX8CLUB TOTAL $482.00

Post a thread in your regional section and get a member to help you with the installs for more than likely free.

Also, for this valuable savings, please send $20 to my paypal

 

Thank you for the information -- MUCH appreciated! Where can I find a high flow cat at? Only one I found so far was: http://www.srmotorsports.com/RX8_Per...tem_Parts.html

 

^ Look into the RP super cat. If you don't need a cat a dual res midpipe would be nice.

 

If you're on a really tight budget, you could always gut your current cat. There's a DIY on it. You get rid of the guts on the inside and you have a heavy midpipe.

Only problem is you will have a CEL and your exhaust will smell like a boat. It'll be frowned upon in regards to your warranty as well if the dealer sees it.

Check out a davesport highflow cat as well, you would have to take it to an exhaust shop to have it welded to a pipe.

Or check out the RP supercat as well. I bought my RP midpipe used off this forum, check the FS thread as well, I only paid $160 for mine SHIPPED back in 07.

 

Thanks. I am on a budget, but I want everything to work properly. I take it this is the RP supercat: http://rx7.com/store/rx8/rx8exhaust.html

The price is not that bad. If this is a full replacement and will work I think I have all the information I need to at least order all needed parts. This forum and advice is going to save me a bundle on these repairs. I don't feel nearly as depressed anymore. Sucks I am going to be out a grand or so after it is all said and done, but I will have some new parts to show for it at least.

 

Very nice part, and it will give you some power gains too since the stock cat is so restrictive.

I have that same part, except mine is gutted making it a midpipe (bought it that way). Youll be happy with it, youre car will have a little more grumble in the exhaust now too!

 

Hey,

Thank you for your assistance. I ordered all of these parts and they are on their way. I found a great local performance shop that has the best mazda technician in the area. I talked to them and they sound like a great group of people, so I will have the actual work completed there.

 

Great man good move.

Sucks for dealers (stealerships lol) they don't have reasonable prices to compete with independent and even chain shops. Most people would not mind bringing them some biz but can't gouge people. Korporate Industry does not like the INTERWEBS. INTERWEBS pown rip off and make more fair for folkz.

 

Good job searching for a reputable tech to do the work. Sounds like youre well on your way to getting and keeping your 8 healthy.

Happy Rotoring bro.

 

They have to replace the CAT for free under warrenty.

 

Only if you are actually under warranty. His failed at 84,996.