i was driving down the motorway when it sounded like my ears popped. i think this was a result of the exhaust/cat blowing out, i was going around 100mph at the time.
i pulled over and had a look under the bonet and car and couldnt see anything hanging off and it only sounded a bit blowey. i was about 100 miles from home but decided to drive home anyway as it seemed to only be the exhaust. when i was nearly home the engin light started flashing so i pulled over and plugged in my diag machine. it was reading cilinder 1 misfire. i drove it the last few miles home carefully but it now has a rattle low under the bonet at low revs, it seems to quieten away at around 2.5k rpm. diag codes P0301, P0301 p and P2096

i can do bits n bobs under the bonet myself but have never had anything with a rotary engin and really dont know where to start on something like this, also i live out in the middle of nowhere and to top it all off i dont think there is a specialist rotary mechanic within 50 miles so i could do with some suggestions on what this rattle might be and what i can do to conferm this.
the last thing i want to go is take it to a garage and have someone that doesnt know a thing about it make things worse.

so any idias on what it might be and what it might cost me would be apreciated.

Thanks
Dave.

 

Do a search for the codes it pulled, while you're at it also inspect the cat.
Misfires are a fairly common and serious problem, especially when coupled to a failing cat.
Before changing spark plugs, leads and coils (that's the conclusion you'll get to after searching, with BHR items if your smart lol) do a compression test.
God knows how long you ran with a poor spark and possibly clogged cat. Engines don't like that.

 

ive only had it 2 months
its done 78k miles and had 2 previous owners, mazda dealer services dine too.
p0301 is cilinder 1 missfire and p2096 is a maxda code for something to do with a oxygen sensor from what i can find.
ive got a friend puting it on a ramp for me monday while im up country working.

 

Congrats, you bought a lemon