need HELP!
10-01-2009, 01:43 PM
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need HELP!
Ok. I'm going to give you guys a rundown on my car. I got my RX-8 last april, an 04 brilliant black 6 speed. I was 20 at the time and had a decent paying job where i could pay for it so i thought why not because it had been my dream car ever since it came out. Maybe I was young and naive, but now it seems my car has given me nothing but problems and i find myself questioning buying it. I have had the engine light come on at least 3 to 4 times. I asked the mazda dealership why this was and they told me the people who drive their RX-8's casually are the one's who are in week in and week out with engine problems. So i was told to drive it like i own it, rev it out and run it in high rpm's. So that's what I've been doing for the past 7 or 8 months but now my check engine light has been coming on for the past 2 months. I run my car in 1st and 2nd gear around town and 3rd and 4th on the interstate. Anyways, recently i have started smelling something burning when i drive, and its not oil or gas. I check the oil regularly and always carry 1 to 2 quarts in my car with me so incase its low i always fill it up. Do you guys have any idea what could be burning when i drive? I know nothing about the engine so when I smell something burning i don't know where to look. but its a strong odor and the closest mazda dealership is like 20 minutes away, and I don't really want to take a chance and drive that when i smell whatever it is burning.
My real problem with the rx-8 is how it drives. It handles like nothing else, but I just feel like the power isn't always there. Sometimes I will be driving and it feels like it's dragging, like taking forever to get up to speed. Once again, i asked the dealership why this was and they gave me the same response, you need to drive in high rpm's to get the power it has. Well i did that and still seem to be having that problem.
I've put off asking you guys for a while because I thought I knew how to drive this car, but I'm starting to second guess myself. Why am I not consistently getting the power I should be and more importantly what is the burning smell that i smell everytime i drive?
(ps. I apologize. I tried to make this the most comprehensive i could, it's game day here at WVU
)
My real problem with the rx-8 is how it drives. It handles like nothing else, but I just feel like the power isn't always there. Sometimes I will be driving and it feels like it's dragging, like taking forever to get up to speed. Once again, i asked the dealership why this was and they gave me the same response, you need to drive in high rpm's to get the power it has. Well i did that and still seem to be having that problem.
I've put off asking you guys for a while because I thought I knew how to drive this car, but I'm starting to second guess myself. Why am I not consistently getting the power I should be and more importantly what is the burning smell that i smell everytime i drive?
(ps. I apologize. I tried to make this the most comprehensive i could, it's game day here at WVU
)
10-01-2009, 01:45 PM
#2
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oh, how I LOVE the "help me" titled threads. (It usually helps if you put the problem IN the thread title) 
My guess is you're smelling exhaust fumes more then before because the Catalytic converter is dead. That would explain why your car sometimes feels like there isn't much power.
Also, many auto parts stores can read the CEL lights for you. Never just drive around with a random CEL on, it could be something major or it could be as simple as a loose gas cap.
WHERE is the smell coming from?
do you own a laptop? I can recommend a REALLY good code reader / data logger.
how many miles on the car? ever changed spark plugs, coils, wires?
Is your car leaking from anywhere?
My guess is you're smelling exhaust fumes more then before because the Catalytic converter is dead. That would explain why your car sometimes feels like there isn't much power.
Also, many auto parts stores can read the CEL lights for you. Never just drive around with a random CEL on, it could be something major or it could be as simple as a loose gas cap.
WHERE is the smell coming from?
do you own a laptop? I can recommend a REALLY good code reader / data logger.
how many miles on the car? ever changed spark plugs, coils, wires?
Is your car leaking from anywhere?
Last edited by Jedi54; 10-01-2009 at 01:50 PM.
10-01-2009, 01:54 PM
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ok
to jedi.
yeah i know it could be anything, the last time it came on it was just the gas cap. I got a new one and it went off. It was misfiring and they (advance auto parts) told me it was the gas cap.
Well i took my car back to advance when this light came on and i started smelling the fumes and they told me they had NO idea what was wrong because they know nothing about rotary engines. So now I have no idea what to do because they nor the dealership can tell me anything worth while so i figured i would post this here because you guys know what the hell you're talking about.
About the exhaust, whenever I turn my car off and pop the hood the smell comes from my engine. I can barely stand beside my car because the smell is so strong. Could this really be the Cat?
and no i haven't changed anything, and havent noticed any leaks.
the smell is coming from my engine. when i shut my car off like i said, i pop the hood and get a strong smell of something burning. like i said, i wish i could be more of a help but i know nothing about the engine. All i can tell you is the burning is coming from the engine.
and yes i own a laptop. whats a code reader?
(and ps., i clearly stated i know nothing about the engine, so if i knew what the problem was, i would state it in my thread title lol.)
yeah i know it could be anything, the last time it came on it was just the gas cap. I got a new one and it went off. It was misfiring and they (advance auto parts) told me it was the gas cap.
Well i took my car back to advance when this light came on and i started smelling the fumes and they told me they had NO idea what was wrong because they know nothing about rotary engines. So now I have no idea what to do because they nor the dealership can tell me anything worth while so i figured i would post this here because you guys know what the hell you're talking about.
About the exhaust, whenever I turn my car off and pop the hood the smell comes from my engine. I can barely stand beside my car because the smell is so strong. Could this really be the Cat?
and no i haven't changed anything, and havent noticed any leaks.
the smell is coming from my engine. when i shut my car off like i said, i pop the hood and get a strong smell of something burning. like i said, i wish i could be more of a help but i know nothing about the engine. All i can tell you is the burning is coming from the engine.
and yes i own a laptop. whats a code reader?
(and ps., i clearly stated i know nothing about the engine, so if i knew what the problem was, i would state it in my thread title lol.)
Last edited by ch15; 10-01-2009 at 01:59 PM. Reason: edit
10-01-2009, 01:56 PM
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to dozer.
theres almost 42,000 on the car. I haven't changed anything on my car since i bought it. I was told my APEX seals could be going bad, but seeing how i live in WV, no one around here knows how to change them. My check engine light came on about a month ago, went off, then came on this past week and thats when i started smelling something burning..
theres almost 42,000 on the car. I haven't changed anything on my car since i bought it. I was told my APEX seals could be going bad, but seeing how i live in WV, no one around here knows how to change them. My check engine light came on about a month ago, went off, then came on this past week and thats when i started smelling something burning..
10-01-2009, 01:59 PM
#7
your cat should still be covered, you can go into the mazda dealership and have it replaced for free...after that you should think about getting a midpipe so your new cat doesnt die out again and you can always have it there if you need it
the coils and plugs are easy to change out, theres a DIY section here on the forum, just search for it
the coils and plugs are easy to change out, theres a DIY section here on the forum, just search for it
10-01-2009, 02:05 PM
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alright. well, do you have any suggestions about driving her? like i said, i run her in low gears and high rpm's and it still seems like she lags in the power department. am i doing something wrong? or could this be because of the cat and coils?
10-01-2009, 02:10 PM
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lol ok. yeah i always run it up to 8000 rpm whenever i drive at least once a day to keep the carbon out. i might be engine illiterate but i did know that much.
is there anyway i can get this tested? so i dont waste money on new coils and plugs if they aren't necessary?
(sorry if i'm pestering you. i'm just tired of seeing my check engine light come on and not getting the power i feel i should)
is there anyway i can get this tested? so i dont waste money on new coils and plugs if they aren't necessary?
(sorry if i'm pestering you. i'm just tired of seeing my check engine light come on and not getting the power i feel i should)
10-01-2009, 02:11 PM
#13
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code reader = way to find out exactly what the CEL is. You plug it into your car, push a couple buttons on your laptop and bingo, bango... you've got not only the exact trouble code, but all the parameters of your vehicle at the time the CEL came on. Once you identify the code, you can even clear it yourself. (no more staring at an annoying CEL)
This thing is AWESOME and will save you useless trips to the auto parts store / dealership.
http://www.performancedesign.com.au/...yser_live.html
(ends sales pitch)
as for the smell: odd that you smell it from under the hood. it could be your cat but usually that smell is from the exhaust.
Blinking CEL is definitely a misfire (as Dozer stated) Our coils are not the greatest pieces of modern engineering. you can get replacement ignition coils @ www.onlinemazdaparts.
some of us have upgraded to the Black Halo Racing ignition system which is pricier but I doubt I'll ever need to replace an ignition coil again. If your'e on a limited budget, just go with OEM coils, new wires from BHR (they make OEM sized), and some fresh spark plugs. That should put an end to your misfires.
This thing is AWESOME and will save you useless trips to the auto parts store / dealership.
http://www.performancedesign.com.au/...yser_live.html
(ends sales pitch)
as for the smell: odd that you smell it from under the hood. it could be your cat but usually that smell is from the exhaust.
Blinking CEL is definitely a misfire (as Dozer stated) Our coils are not the greatest pieces of modern engineering. you can get replacement ignition coils @ www.onlinemazdaparts.
some of us have upgraded to the Black Halo Racing ignition system which is pricier but I doubt I'll ever need to replace an ignition coil again. If your'e on a limited budget, just go with OEM coils, new wires from BHR (they make OEM sized), and some fresh spark plugs. That should put an end to your misfires.
Last edited by Jedi54; 10-01-2009 at 02:13 PM.
10-01-2009, 02:13 PM
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you can test your ignition coils: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...16-07-1793.pdf
cat can be inspected fairly easily: jack up the car, throw some jack stands under there, and disconnect the cat to the exhaust manifold. (I believe there's only 3 bolts that secure it)
look inside: do you see a pretty honeycomb design? if so, you're good.
do pieces fall out or is the honeycomb broken? If so, dead cat.
cat can be inspected fairly easily: jack up the car, throw some jack stands under there, and disconnect the cat to the exhaust manifold. (I believe there's only 3 bolts that secure it)
look inside: do you see a pretty honeycomb design? if so, you're good.
do pieces fall out or is the honeycomb broken? If so, dead cat.
10-01-2009, 02:14 PM
#15
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as for how to drive it: a redline a day is definitely a good idea. Just dont' go too crazy with the redlines.
where do you live? does it get really hot? (95+)
where do you live? does it get really hot? (95+)
10-01-2009, 02:14 PM
#16
lol ok. yeah i always run it up to 8000 rpm whenever i drive at least once a day to keep the carbon out. i might be engine illiterate but i did know that much.
is there anyway i can get this tested? so i dont waste money on new coils and plugs if they aren't necessary?
(sorry if i'm pestering you. i'm just tired of seeing my check engine light come on and not getting the power i feel i should)
is there anyway i can get this tested? so i dont waste money on new coils and plugs if they aren't necessary?
(sorry if i'm pestering you. i'm just tired of seeing my check engine light come on and not getting the power i feel i should)
10-01-2009, 02:16 PM
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It's a domino effect really.
Bad coils = bad spark = bad performance = carbon = unburnt fuel = dead cat.
(or something to that extent)
Bad coils = bad spark = bad performance = carbon = unburnt fuel = dead cat.
(or something to that extent)
10-01-2009, 02:23 PM
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i'm currently a student at WVU. so i live in Morgantown WV. The temperature gets ridiculously humid in the summer but it's starting to cool down drastically now for fall.
I have a 6 speed. and i try to stay in first and second gears around town ( at least thats what i've been told by a fellow rx-7 owner) and it's done me pretty good until now, when i started smelling the burning.
So you guys suggest me changing the sparks and coils for now? I got laid off from my job and I'm paying for my education so whatever i can do that's the least costly the better...
I have a 6 speed. and i try to stay in first and second gears around town ( at least thats what i've been told by a fellow rx-7 owner) and it's done me pretty good until now, when i started smelling the burning.
So you guys suggest me changing the sparks and coils for now? I got laid off from my job and I'm paying for my education so whatever i can do that's the least costly the better...
10-01-2009, 02:25 PM
#20
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jedi - while i'm here reading this...pm me about the bhr coils. do you have them? i'm sure there are a million threads on it, but i don't normally pay attn to them...when you say upgraded...like for slight hp gain or like upgraded durability if you track? mine's still my dd, no track time, but if it's a "general" upgrade, i'll do it, but if it's excessive for daily use, i'll stick with oem.
/threadjack
op - listen to jedi and dozer, they'll point you in the right direction. don't go all freak-o on us though, the 8 is a great car, but like any car, there will be maintancence to do...
/threadjack
op - listen to jedi and dozer, they'll point you in the right direction. don't go all freak-o on us though, the 8 is a great car, but like any car, there will be maintancence to do...
10-01-2009, 02:27 PM
#21
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1st and 2nd gear in town? wha? Upshift, staying in 1st and 2nd gear isn't really what the dealership and the RX-7 were referring to.
all you're supposed to do is get it up in the high rpm band every now and then. Don't necessarily drive around at 8,000 rpm in 1st or 2nd.
Here's what I would do in your situation:
1. inspect the cat. It's really not that hard, you can do it with basic hand tools. If it's broken, put the cat back on and proceed to dealership for a free replacement.
2. www.onlinemazdaparts.com Buy 4 ignition coils.
3. send a PM to Charles R. Hill for a set of spark plugs (2 trailing, 2 leading). Also get a quote on OEM spark plug wires. I'm pretty sure they're just a few bucks more then OEM and are woth the small expediture.
4. install coils per DIY on this site. It's an easy fix.
all you're supposed to do is get it up in the high rpm band every now and then. Don't necessarily drive around at 8,000 rpm in 1st or 2nd.
Here's what I would do in your situation:
1. inspect the cat. It's really not that hard, you can do it with basic hand tools. If it's broken, put the cat back on and proceed to dealership for a free replacement.
2. www.onlinemazdaparts.com Buy 4 ignition coils.
3. send a PM to Charles R. Hill for a set of spark plugs (2 trailing, 2 leading). Also get a quote on OEM spark plug wires. I'm pretty sure they're just a few bucks more then OEM and are woth the small expediture.
4. install coils per DIY on this site. It's an easy fix.
10-01-2009, 02:27 PM
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lol i'm not going freak-o. i love my car. i just want to know whats wrong with it so i can fix it. i'm just trying to figure out what that maintenance is so i can do it and stop this from happening next time.
cool man - well good luck, keep us posted on these as you go so we can see what works to remedy the smell.
10-01-2009, 02:33 PM
#24
i say you just go get a new cat from the dealership, if they try to charge you look for one here thats already used...
for coils and plugs ^do what jedi said cus the dealership is gonna try chargin you like 700$, when you can buy and install em yourself
heres my DIY for the coils
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ight=diy+coils
for coils and plugs ^do what jedi said cus the dealership is gonna try chargin you like 700$, when you can buy and install em yourself
heres my DIY for the coils
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ight=diy+coils
10-01-2009, 02:34 PM
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ok. thanks jedi. i'm going to do what you suggested.
about the 1st and 2nd gear thing. I talked to a guy who owned a rx-7 back where i live, and he told me if i want the power it has, to keep the engine revving (in high rpms)
the first vehicle i ever drove was my father's toyota truck, and it was a 5 speed. so before i bought my rx-8 the only vehicles i had driven where that toyota truck, a standard ford focus and my previous car a sunfire (i know) . i could drive them but i feel like i dont know how to drive my car now. So the high rpm's thing isn't necessary? I'm sorry, im not trying to be a nuisance but i'm tired of having problems and no one can seem to help me.
( like i said, its gameday here so i apologize if i'm not being comprehensive, i'm trying lol)
about the 1st and 2nd gear thing. I talked to a guy who owned a rx-7 back where i live, and he told me if i want the power it has, to keep the engine revving (in high rpms)
the first vehicle i ever drove was my father's toyota truck, and it was a 5 speed. so before i bought my rx-8 the only vehicles i had driven where that toyota truck, a standard ford focus and my previous car a sunfire (i know) . i could drive them but i feel like i dont know how to drive my car now. So the high rpm's thing isn't necessary? I'm sorry, im not trying to be a nuisance but i'm tired of having problems and no one can seem to help me.
( like i said, its gameday here so i apologize if i'm not being comprehensive, i'm trying lol)