Ross

Greetingz,

Haven't been around much but a member for long time and browse around from time to time and appreciate some of the banter that goes on here. Anyway I'm getting ready to do my first spark plug, wire and coil change. I don't drive the car much and today it wouldn't start. The dealer told me a year ago I had to replace the plugs wires and coil but wanted to charge me $1200. I said WTF!! I'm not a regular seasoned mechanic by any stretch but have done enough to at least think I can do this on my own or find someone that can help me for a lot less money. I got all the tools to do the job my hands aren't what they used to be though.

Anyway I feel like a virgin so be gentle. LOL!!

I ordered parts from Paul @ Mazmart

STL05

Disconnect the battery first. 4 bolts remove the coils. I suggest doing one at a time. The two lower spark plugs are easiest to change through the drivers side wheel well. There are excellent DIY explanations on here. Just use the search option above for DIY spark plug change. And DIY coil change.

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

There is no need to disconnect the battery.

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

Also remember to put alittle anti seize on the new spark plug threads.

Ross

Thanks guys, I have all the DIY help links bookmarked and just waiting for parts. I may have found someone from the NW RX8 club to come help me out. My small stubby fingers will appreciate that.

Beodude

iTrader: (3)

I just changed the oil in mine this weekend. The oil filter was a pain!! Whoever changed it before I purchased the car torqued it down like crazy. Just remember that it needs to be hand tight. Get it on there nice and snug, but don't get a wrench or something and tighten it. I put about 4.5 quarts in total. I kept on checking the level to make sure it was good.

Welcome to the wonderful world of working on your car! It's simultaneously the more frustrating thing to do, yet the most rewarding. Hahahha

Tizop

Hey! I just did my first plug/wire change last week, and used the DIY on this forum. Well, kinda used it. I must admit, after I jacked the car up, and looked under, I was instantly intimidated by the small spaces, and ended up not finding the right area in the DIY guide to go to, aka, I couldn't remove the splash guard thing, so ended up just shoving my whole hand through the wheel well, while laying under the car.

All in all, super easy once you get the jist of things, and def nicer on the wallet, cause my dealer quoted me around the same price as you. If you run into trouble, or want to chat, by no means am I a expert, but I would be MORE then happy to help in any way possible so if something were to come up, shoot me a PM, and I would be more then happy to throw you my phone number to make things easier!

Best of luck to ya, and don't forget the anti seize! Also, do a oil change while ya have the car jacked up!

Ross

Ok I was able to get the spark plugs out but having a heck of a time getting the air filter disconeected from the hose so I have access to the coils. Any tips on how to get the big hose off? I tried disconnecting from both sides but can't get the thing off both.

Parts should arrive this week so figured I would have everything ready to go. I changed the oil since the car is up on jacks and that was pretty easy. Thanks in advance.

elysium19

iTrader: (1)

dont be afraid to really manhandle the intake air filter box and hose. first PUSH the whole box forward and up HARD until it pops out of the front grommets. thenpull it up and rest it on the front engine bay ledge, then you shouldnt have any trouble disconnecting the accordian section of the intake.

Ross

Exellent, I got it out and everything is ready to go, just waiting for the parts. This isn't as bad as I thought is was going to be so I should be able to manage this on my own. Looking forward to zoom zoom zoom. !!!

Ross

Well I replaced coils, wire and plugs and still not starting. It turns over but that's it. I held the pedal down to see if that helped but it didn't. I guess I need to do some more searching but it seems to be really slow, so many posts to sift through to find the best solution. Oh well any suggestions appreciated in the meantime.

Ross

OK I got it started. I took out the fuel pump fuse and cranked it over 5 seconds on then 5 seconds off. I also disconnected the sec pump as well plugged it back in after the car started. It's warming up now and getting ready to go zoom zoom zoom.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like you flooded it but if you got it started, that's great.

You should find out if you still have the old starter (being a 2004) or eventually a weak battery because both of those will greatly increase the chance of getting the engine flooded. Also, try to make sure that the car got the latest PCM update and all the recalls taken care of.

Ross

Thanks for the info.

I did take it to a dealer a couple of times (broken motor mount) and I thought they did the updates but I will ask about the starter to see if I can get it replaced. The battery seems fine and I gave it a good charge as well. I think the main problem was I milked the Plugs and Coils for longer then I should of. The price the local dealer wanted to charge to replace plugs coils and wires was over a $1000 and that is when I decided to do my own maintenance. I almost feel like calling Mazda corporate to let them know how much one of their dealers were trying to gouge me because it was rediculous especially after seeing what was involved by doing it myself.