Hi all

I have a 2005 model RX8 in superb condition with only 40000 kms on the clock. Its has been lovely cared for and driven every weekend, but is not a daily driver. It is in showroom condition.

This week I got the sudden loss of power under load and flashing check engine light and I just barely limped into a Mazda dealership. Shock horror gasp........I am thinking $$$$$

They diagnosed coil packs as shot and I was wondering how many of these very expensive packs will I expect to go through in the life of the car? I was amazed that at only 40000Kms it needed new coil packs. They recommended swapping out the plugs at the same time in case the coil packs had damaged the plugs. Which I also have had done. the car is now running well (touch wood). Cost $1600 though including decarbon of throttle body/carb etc........ouch!

The dealership (Mazda) said I would be better to run the car more often if not daily and really wind it up (give it some welly boot) to keep it running well. Is it likely my coil pack simply was old being 8 years old, or is it more likely lack of use? How that works I am not sure. Also how does the coil pack damage the spark plugs? I know Rotary sparks are expensive, but what really makes them different?

Any help on how to avoid this happening again in another 40000kms would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance


Iceman

 

I suggest you read this excellent thread by one of our staff and then ask for advice..
Particularly post #3
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

 

Thanks for the link. Had a good read, now it makes a lot more sense.

I guess the only question I have is regarding the cat after reading about how they can fail. When my coils decided to fail I only drove/limped for about 10 kms to the dealership very slowly and carefully.

Is there a chance my cat will be ok as I did not drive it for long and the cat is relatively young I guess at only 40000 kms. Who knows?

Well I hope so, as I do do most of the things in the owners list to keep the car in tip top shape, but must have missed the ignition part along the way with the coils. To be honest I don't know why they were not recommended to be replaced at my last major service when they did the plugs, only 2 years ago, but actually only 4000 kms ago???

 

ur cat should be ok, just change the coils somewhere else.

why its not included? cuz most dealership are loaded with idiots these days, most don't even know how to rebuild engines anymore, rotary or not. they just replace replace and replace.

1600? Send me 800 and I will ship 4 coil(newest Spirit-R version too) and plugs and NGK wires to you like today right now. and I mean it.

 

Damage to the cat would depend on which plugs were firing or not firing. When my coils died both rears stopped firing, so that rotor's allotment of fuel hit the cat in full glory. Took out the cat and 02 sensor. I suspect that your dealer checked everything else out when it was in - they charged enough.

Mazda does not list the coils as a normal maintenance replacement item. KInd of like the first couple of decades of timing belts in piston engines, when manufacturers tended to not list them as needing routine replacement even though they did.

You can upgrade to the BHR kit. My coils failed at 40k miles, and I'm going to go BHR next summer when I'm approaching 70k miles and the 8 year engine warranty expires. Or, if you're like nycgps and enjoy playing around under the hood, you can get into a routine of replacing the OEM coils at regular intervals.

Ken

 

Thanks for the feedback it is much appreciated.

hindsight is a wonderful thing. Knowing I could have save a buck and prob done the coils myself would have saved me at least $800 I reckon. I will prob change them out every 40000K's anyway to be on the safe side and consider using the BHR coil kit instead.

As for the CAT, yep, it did not throw any emmission codes and I did have the car to the dealership within 15 minutes of the check engine light flashing and the misfiring commencing, so fingers crossed it is ok.

I have learned a lot in a couple of days about RX8 ignition systems and will be keeping a very close eye on it from now on.

Cheers