BigGunz

iTrader: (1)

The resonator behind the cat is what is rattling. I have the same problem. It's extremely annoying but my CAT is not clogged.

Mike Knight

just an update took the cat off, gutted it (wasnt that difficult) but noticed when i rattled the back exhaust pipe some of the cat had blown through, stuck the hoover up got it all out.started it it started faster than it ever had took it for a little drive to get it nice and warm (felt a bit better driving it although its true there is a smell) got home turned off left 5 mins didnt start took 45 mins to cool down before it started again and then it struggled.
took coils out one has a white mark on it (from front to back the second one in) others look fine have not checked plugs yet but will do tomorrow, could this one coil be the problem for the struggling to start ? help please

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hi Mike. I'm not an expert on 8s, but I do have some firsthand experience.
First off, I went back and read your first post where you said you put premium gas in "for a change".
You should ALWAYS use premium.
If you haven't, this could be a problem.

If there are any chunks of cat in your exhaust or muffler, that could affect your performance and possibly damage your engine. Be sure there are no chunks in your exhaust.

If your cat broke up, it quite possibly was due to misfires. It would be a good idea to get a scan for any stored codes once you eliminate possibility of blockage.

White mark on coil is not necessarily a bad coil. Definitely pull plugs and check them.
IMO, I would start with troubleshooting these things first.
Good luck!

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Also, I forgot to add most importantly, hot start problems are an indication of low compression, so it would be a good idea if you can get it running decently, to get a compression check before you sink too much money into it.

Mike Knight

THANKS BIGC will post some pics tomorow of bad coil and plugs when i get them out, your right about taking it for a compression test just not got the funds to do that at the moment, like i said cat and exhaust r completely unblocked now , fingers crossed that the bad cat has caused it only to be bad plugs

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Mike, were you not using premium fuel?

Mike Knight

no the premium fuel in the uk is 97 the cheaper fuel is 92 and i was told of to ok use in rx8

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Different octane measuring methods. Your 92 is about equal to our 87, which is NOT ok. You need the premium fuel to avoid engine damage from detonation.

Mike Knight

sounding more and more like a rebuild

Mike Knight

just a thought though the car was running fine (apart from the hot start issue) never cut out on me until 10 mins after putting premium probabally just a coincidence though just to confuse me dont u think

Mike Knight

here r a couple of pics of plugs b4 i cleaned them and the one coil with white spot

Mike Knight

here r plugs after cleaning. do u think new plugs and/or coils would help.
please note after i clened plugs car wouldnt even start at all and there was a strong smell of petrol someone help please i am lost and dont know what to do next.

wcs

iTrader: (2)

The plugs don't look too bad. Maybe the one looks to have excessive soot.
White spot doesn't indicate bad coil.

How did you clean the plugs.
The tips are sensitive to abrasion. They are coated with iridium.
You may have ruined them ...

Strong smell of fuel would seem to me like it is flooded.
Or a fuel leak.

Mike Knight

I cleaned them with a toothbrush and a tiny bit of brake cleaner, sprayed on the toothbrush not the plug, don't think I would have flooded it as I didn't touch the accelerator or shut it off cold, or r there other ways of flooding ?

wcs

iTrader: (2)

@OP Well we've completely hi-jacked this topic.
Maybe you should start a new thread in the troubleshoot section or New member sub forum.
One of the Mods my help you out by snipping some of the posts here and put them in your new thread.

Tooth brush and brake cleaner should be ok to use on the plugs IMO

If you've got poor ignition/weak battery you can flood the engine even if it was warmed up properly.



The throttle on the engine is electronically controlled (drive by wire there is no direct linkage to the throttle). Pressing the gas will not flood the engine.
In fact part of the deflood procedure is to hold the gas peddle all the way down. This cuts the fuel during the cranking procedure.

If you don't think its flooded then you're only left with looking for a fuel leak.

Mike Knight

to deflood do i start cranking then push the gas pedal to the floor or push the pedal to the floor first and then start cranking, also what order do i release

Grace_Excel

iTrader: (5)

Mike, I think it's time you use the search feature. Use the key words: "Deflooding for the average Joe" and take and hour or two so you can start reading the first few pages in these helpful threads, most of your concerns have been discussed before:

Congratulations, you got an 8!
New and Potential Owners START HERE!
Suffering a misfire, START HERE!

Chino_rx3

iTrader: (1)

Im going to gut my Cat , thanks for pushing me lmao.. Is getting clogged I got a cel I just prefer gutting than taking a chance on messing my 8.

Shoreguy926

Well I Didn't gut my cat,I only threw a 1.5" pipe threw the center..Well that was a waste of time.. One of the Sections fell into the opening (Which explains a lot) I found this out after dropping Cat again to put Anti Fouler in,Good thing I did..Needless to say NOW she is GUTTED,and the Fouler trick seems to be working.. No code yet.. But time will tell.. but 2 things are instantly noticeable now.. 1 Butt Dyno tells me she can get out of her own way..and 2 I better learn to like the smell of Rotten Eggs..lol

bebout

We gutted the cat on 2004 and now security light is flashing and car won't fire! Does anyone have an idea what went wrong?

Grace_Excel

iTrader: (5)

Security Light? When you have the rapid flashing red key light, it is something electrical. By removing the Cat-Converter, it would not trip your ECU and prevent you from starting the car. What steps did you take, could you list what you did before you removed the Cat?

bebout

The car first started losing power and I was having to shift down in places I hadn't in the past. This happened a couple of days and we began reading up on things on here. What we came up with was cat and MAF. With plans to gut cat on Saturday it stalled on me Friday night. After about 20 minutes it started then stalled trying to climb steep driveway. Next morning it started and I pulled it in garage where my husband gutted cat and cleaned MAF per directions on here. When I got in car and tried to start it the engine turns over but wont fire. Flashing key light was on and we tried the battery and brake trick to no avail.

Pbdynastyfan

So I read through this thread and I'm considering gutting my cat. My concern is getting a cel after doing it. I know some ppl have said they didn't get it. If I do though is there a way to clear the light permanently so if I get a real code I would know. Thanks!

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

You'd have to get an AccessPort to mask it permanently, or if you have an Android phone you could get the Torque app & Bluetooth dongle to clear it.
That's what I do.

Pbdynastyfan

Okay ill read up on the access port, and just to make sure im not missing anything here, putting a midpipe on is the moral equivilant of a gutted cat, which will throw codes as well?