Hi all,

I'm having what I think is the SSV (stuck shutter valve) problem, but I haven't seen a description that includes a rattle. When I am around and above 5500 RPMs I get a pretty loud rattle (for comparison one person said it sounded like loud spark knock and another said it sounded like valves) and no power.

We haven't verified the CEL code yet, but I have it at a mechanic now who will begin looking into it next week.

I'm just curious if anyone else has had the loud rattling along with the stuck shutter valve or if it's possible that I have something else going on..

thanks
Brian


it's a 2004 with 124000 miles, btw, in case that matters

 

is there any unusual vibration that accompanies the rattle? Could it be described as sounding like marbles in a can?

The CEL code should be verified. Auto Zone will do that for free.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/noise-loss-power-202296/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/loss-power-rattle-help-201332/

Lots of discussion about this issue...

 

Thanks all for the responses... after getting the engine code it was determined to be a mis-fire condition.. the plugs were cleaned and new plug wires installed and it's reported to be back in working condition again (I'll know for sure tonight)..

However after talking at length with the parts manager and the tech at the local Mazda place I'm concerned about keeping the car anyway... they seem to indicate that these motors have a finite shelf-life no more than 100k miles and since I'm over that already that I should be considered lucky.

I'm not looking forward to replacing the motor every few years so in the experience of those here, can you extend/prolong the life of these motor by doing routine cleaning and replacing plugs?

all the talk that I've seen seems to be around the carbon build-up issues

Thanks again,
Brian

 

Yes, and neither of those threads have a definitive answer. So many mysteries with this car. Still no resolution on problem