sakmeeks

First of all name's Mike and I'm new to the forums here and have been an RX8 owner since Sept of last year. It's a 2004 and had 47k miles on it and now just at 57k. I've had 2 oil changes since then, but used synthetic (CRAP I've been reading that I should be using regular oil and some people have even suggested thicker oil than the recommended!?) I only use premium gas, usually at shell because it's next to my place, sometimes at chevron. I live in Maui and the temp usually stays the same between 70-85F give or take 5 degrees.

It's been a great car up until today when all of a sudden while driving I felt a sudden loss of power and the check engine light started blinking. Scared the crap out of me, luckily I was about 2 miles home. Drove it very slow the rest of the way and while I was maintaining 35-40mph, it was obviously struggling and I could feel a little "puttering" while driving. The check engine light is blinking and when I go to restart the car later in the driveway it is also on and blinking.

The car starts up fine, but I am afraid to even start it now. When I start it now you can tell its struggling but keeping idle..barely. I've checked the oil dipstick and it's running low like not in-between the indicators, its well below the 1st line. First time that's happened since I've owned the car.

From what I've been reading today throughout the forums is that a blinking CEL is related to misfiring and I should change the coils and plugs first? I'm probably going to drain and put in some fresh oil as well, but wanted to ask for some friendly advice first.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

blakerx87

Go to advance auto and get/rent a compression tool take the valve out of the compression tool with the a tire valve removal tool and check the compression!! 1.simply take out the fuel pump fuse 2. have someone watch it while you turn the engine over 3. you should get 3 consecutive bounces. Do this on both rotors.
solution 2. check the spark plugs and coils.
Solution 3.if its an 04-05 Get full coverage auto insurence preffibly "geico" and burn that mother to the ground take the money you get from it an go buy A R3 and call it a day..

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

Don't do this it's not accurate. You need an actual rotary compression tester to see all three pulses.



Also search the forums, a LOT of other threads have already helped many other people troubleshoot this same problem.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

^ Don't listen to any of that crap that blakerx87 said (other than #2).

With that mileage plugs, wires, and coil replacements are a must in my opinion and you should have your cat checked as well if you still have symptoms after you address the ignition problems. But bad coils, wires, and plugs can definitely cause the symptoms you are experiencing.

RunawayRotor

there is a sensor on the right side of the crank pulley that u might want to check before u do a bunch of stuff. that sensor may just need the top cleaned off. If it gets enough junk on it, it will cause the CEL to blink because it thinks the engine is misfiring.

sakmeeks

Blaker did a good job of scaring the crap out of me! Hah but for the rest of ya, thanks all of you for the responses. I've searched all afternoon after the incident and this site has the most useful information by far. I have ordered 4 new coils and spark plugs off Amazon...it was the only site with reasonable priority shipping to Maui. I've never replaced them since owning the vehicle and I'm betting they need to be replaced. I will keep this thread updated as soon as I get the parts in the mail.

There is also a great thread here: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-mazda-ignition-coils-pics-178515/ that shows how to install them. Lots of knowledge on this site. Wish I would've came sooner!

jay_tibo

Yep probably you are due for coils and plugs, but have you pulled the code yet? Scan tools are pretty cheap and priceless in some situation, you should have also tested your coils before just changing them. Find out what the code is before you through too much money at the issue.

Good luck, Cheers

ebaker1114

Exact same thing happened to me last week, would get a flashing CEL at high rpm's and was slightly losing power. Got the code read at auto zone and was a "misfire on cylinder 2." Put new plugs/wires/coils in and problem solved.

Hope its the same for you as well!

sakmeeks

I hope so too, but this isn't just a minor power loss..I had to limp home at 35-45mph and I thought the whole time my car was going to die. I've never had the CEL turn on before. It still starts right up, but it sounds terrible a very low muffly sound with a few minor putt-putt noises and can start to smell some exhaust, but not seeing smoke or anything. CEL still blinking and AHHHH shut the car off and won't be starting it again until I get these parts.

As for getting a scanning tool..I will look into it, trying to call some friends who may have access to one. There is no autozone here, just typical mechanic shops and they charge $100 for diagnostic

Cleaned the MAF sensor for fun first time. It needed it, the whole front area of the entire sensor was covered in dirt. Took literally 5 minutes maybe less thanks to a write-up here: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-how-clean-maf-94872/ and the car idles smoother, just still sounds like crap and I can definitely smell gas.

sakmeeks

Thank you guys especially for the DIY write ups. Hardest part was getting the stock air box out.

Plugs were really bad, one even snapped off completely. I dunno about the coils but could see a whiteish stain on the top of all of them and they looked really old. Put it all back together and fired her up..zoom zoom!

Now I'm not getting power steering..I'm typing this on my phone at work and will search here later. Confident I'll find a solution quick. I dunno why its not working. Is there an extra step involved since I unplugged my battery??

ebaker1114

Good to hear! And yes, the power steering problem is also a very common issue, the connectors for the power steering rack are very sensitive and just need to be cleaned with connector cleaner spray stuff (lots of DIY's). Just make sure you check your oil more frequently from now on and never let it get below the bottom line!!

sakmeeks

Yeah..just read a really good one that shows all the connectors with pics..looks like I know what I'm doing tomorrow. Not really looking forward to taking out the air box again tho!

About the oil..I'm starting to think that the dipstick I have isn't for my car. I'll post a pic of it tmrw its getting late. Only place I seen with an actual picture of it was on ebay and it looks different. Oil levels on dash show over halfway but not too much. When I checked the oil it was low below the first line...I'll check it out again after a very short 5 mile drive to napa.

sakmeeks

Power steering fixed! Car is running so good I can't believe it. AHHHHH!@#$!

Oil levels are fine and dipstick is fine.

I can drive my car again and thanks to Rx8 Club I likely saved $100's of dollars by avoiding the mechanic! Thank you all again for the help.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

Glad to hear you fixed the issue! (Glad to hear you did your research, also )
Just as a "precaution", I would keep an eye on your catalytic converter. Coil/plug failure can lead to issues with the exhaust system. Not to scare you! But, just make sure you don't spoil your newly purchased plugs/coils on account of a clogged cat!

Welcome to the club, and enjoy the drama

sakmeeks

Air in-take, tires and cat (no emission law here!) are the next 3 things I'm getting!!

sakmeeks

Car is running so damn good right now I had to come back and say thanks again. I've learned so much from this forum I'm kinda stoked I had the misfire problem originally.

Since joining fixed: misfire, power steering, engine coolant overflow hose, center console power plug, & poor idle (would fluctuate at idle & sometimes would fluctuate when accelerating).

Still need to work on a cpl more things but its mostly cosmetic. Have any of you ever had the lcd screen go off but still works? To fix it I have to press in the **** that turns on the radio..harder than usual and it comes back on. Strange but I'll figure it out.

It should be mandatory to join this forum if u have an 8..right after reading the owners manual.

ebaker1114

+1.

Old Rotor

It's so nice to see someone come on here and use their brain and not all our patience.

lastphaseofthis

I don't see a problem with this, if anyone wants to challenge me on why this is acceptable testing be my guest. I'll be glad to burst your bubble.

craig12895

Hey guys. Im bring this thread back for a question. Im having the same issue where i get the blinking CEL. Ive done my research and understand i need coils, plugs, and wires. I have a scan tool and got a code for Cylinder 2 misfire exactly like i have read i should. I already have the tune-up kit on the way. My question is should i expect to see noticably better power or mpg with the new coils plugs and wires?

craig12895

Nobody has any input for that?^

McKennaR

iTrader: (1)

I hate to be a jackass, but you're replacing your worn components with new components.

It stands to reason that replacing worn components with new components will bring the car back to the highest amount of HP/TQ/MPG that it's currently capable of. How far you are from that optimal state of being pre-tune up depends on the condition of your current plugs/wires/coils.

Even if nothing happens, the ol' Butt Dyno (trademark) is going to tell you that there's been an improvement because that's what you're expecting.

Do however note that if you disconnect your battery during this tune up, your car will run like hell for a few drive cycles as the PCM re-learns the fuel curves. Don't panic. This is normal. I let my car idle for 10 minutes A/C off, then 10 minutes A/C on after disconnecting/reconnecting the battery or resetting the PCM. I then take it out for a few drive cycles. Your mileage may vary.

I suggest, before your tune up kit arrives, do yourself a favor and clean your eccentric shaft sensor (ESS) and then perform the much-vaunted "20 brake stomp". Unless your coils/plugs/wires are very, very perished, this should help with your misfire.

One more thing... I know some folks who have actually seen decreased MPG average after R&R'ing their ignition system. Reason? They now drive the thing harder and faster because it's running like it should. Just sayin'.

Cheers

Ryan

craig12895

Well i knew power would increase, i was just unsure if it would be noticable to the driver.
This is a dumb question, but does the battery have to be disconnected? it seems like it would be better to avoid resetting the PCM if possible.

Grace_Excel

iTrader: (5)

You don't need to disconnect the battery to do the ESS cleaning and the brake stomp. But once you do, don't forget to calibrate your EPS sensor: reconnect the terminal to the battery, switch the key to ON then turn your steering wheel fully clockwise, then fully counter-clockwise, and turn it to center. Your ABS/TCS light should turn off the next time you turn your car ON.

Drive cycles vary from an RX-8 to another, a cycle consist of turning the engine on from a cold-start and allowing it to warm up until you see the temp. needle move at least three notches then turn it off to let the engine cool down before you restart the engine again. There are times that the RPM will dip close to 500 and possibly stall (if you attempt to drive the car) while the PCM relearns its fuel trim. If you pay attention, the air pump will not activate during this procedure, but once it does, that indicates it has completed the trim.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

You should disconnect the battery anytime you are working with electrical components.