just got out of work and started my car. It was shaking and sputtering like crazy. i let it warm up and it did the same thing. My check engine light was on and blinking. I figured it was just the cold (was about 2 degrees here in nebraska). so i drove it about a mile and it was the same way, no power and sputtered a lot. then all of a sudden it shot what looked like snow sparkes and some colored stuff (maybe gas or oil) and it had full power again. it works fine now, but the check engine light is on, but not blinking. What could have happened? and could my engine now be ruined?

also, it worked fine in the morning on my way to work.

-2004 rx8 with 40,000 miles

 

blinking CEL = indicates that you are having misfires

when was the last time you changed your coils and spark plugs?

 

spark plugs in the beginning of summer, coils never.

 

ok, i found black soft meshi looking metal chunks that came out of my exhaust when i reved it up, then it stopped shaking. is that my cat?

thanx

 

Yup. Cat is toast. Get a new one, take it to the dealer or get a race pipe muhahahaaa