I have an 03 rx8 with 60 000 on the odometer. Last week i was pushing it on the highway and when i changed down from 6 to 4, it stuttered and it died. I restarted it up and it was idling poorly, and the silencer felt like it had blown a gasket.

I checked the fluids..ok. I tried driving it in the morning the following day and it felt sluggish, no power, and was idling poorly. I couldn even ecelerate without it stalling and switching off. Help. What could be the problem? It has a full service history. It was due for service in 2 weeks.

Terence

 

it sounds like a clog CAT, but first i would check plugs, wires and coils.

do you have any check engine light?

Is it a Manual or auto?

 

it is a manual 6 speed. and yes, the engine light is on.

 

Go get the code read at Autozone or somewhere, report back to us what the code is. However, it does sound like maybe a clogged kitty, but can't tell yet.
Give us the rest of the info as well........................how long since you had any coil/spark plugs changes etc?

 

he already gave that info

 

Really? Wanna tell me what "Full service" history means?
You think this means they changed the coils and plug wires?
I'll bet that maybe the plugs are okay(but that depends on how old they are), but what about the rest?
The CEL would tell us a lot.

 

you may want to find the check engine code quick, because if you have clogged CAT is very expensive and if you are lucky is a guy in here selling one very cheap.

check out this: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-sale-wanted-44/fs-%2A2005-rx8-oem-catalytic-converter-%2A-184352/

with these miles i would change coil, plugs wires anyway.

let us know how it goes.

 

hmmm somehow i read wrong thought you asked for mileage and year of the car
i failed

 

O2 sensor(s) and/or Cat is my bet.

I didn't know there were any 2003 RX-8's.

 

I did actually, but then I edited it because I was stupid enough to not read it the first time. Think I was editing it as you were posting your response to me! So.......I fail! My bad!

 

^.........yep there are some 03 build dates.

 

Well of course there were some built in '03, but that makes them the 2004 model year.

 

I thought that there acctually was an 03 in australia? dont quote me on that though.

 

i got the advice you guys gave me. i am looking at a problem of coils, plugs and plug wires. where would you recommend i get these. the prices i got here are crack prices.

part numbers; 1. coil set h; N3H118140B *1
2. coil ignition; N3H118100B *1
3. mplug spark; N3Y48110A * 2
4. spark plug; N3Z118110A *2

PLEASE HELP.

 

Where are you located????

plugs you can get from sparkplugs.com come in set of 4 2 trailng, 2 leading
colis,wires from finishlineperfromance.com

 

thanx again.

by the way, i am in Africa, Botswana. Its right next to South Africa.

my RX8 is a 04 model by the way.

what else should i change after the coil, plugs and wires?

 

get access to an OBD-2 scanner/code reader, if the check engine light is a "cylinder missfire" coils are probably the problem but Id change wires and plugs as well w/ your mileage and your cat should be ok, if however your read a rear oxygen sensor fault code your cat could be bad.

One thing not to do is keep running it with a miss, I did this 2 days ago, what you end up doing is dumping gasoline into the cat and it ignites in there heating the cat to unsafe levels, mine was glowing cherry red around the 02 sensor bung and flanges but thanfully it seems to be OK and I never had a fault code for the 02 sensor which is still working. I just deep fried that bitch for 20 minutes

 

lol i thought you were in houston

 

Nah that's only in America - In Australia if it was Built in 2003, then its a 2003 model - plain and simple no mucking around.

 

not to thread jack. my rx8 2004 yesterday, when i started the car it didnt start.. but then i tried it again and this time i pump the gas and it started!! this morning it went fine and back to normal. what could be the problem here? i recently changed my sparkplugs. but the check engine light is still on!

 

lol me too. i was like, where in houston should i head to lol

 

Well, the front plug wire is notorious for working loose at the plug, so check that. Then go get the code read somewhere and come back and tell us what the code is. We can make guesses all day long.

 

i got an email today telling me that it sounds like the problem is a broken apex seal. i have more faith in what you guys say, that anybody else. could the seal be broken? from everything I have said?

what usually happens if your car breaks the apex seal?

by the way, something else to note; the leading plugs were soaked in gas when i removed them in the morning.