04 rx8 po300/po301
 

2004 RX 8 Automatic, 52.8k miles. Recently had the check engine come on and returned those service codes. Prior to this it had been reporting low coolant levels for ten seconds after the car started on cold days (but would promptly go away afterward or when the vehicle was shifted into gear).

My first thought was the plugs but those seemed to be in good shape only 8k miles ago and I've got no loss of power crossing 4500 RPMs. Unfortunately I don't have the tools I'd need to pull and check them right now and I'm 100% disinterested in dropping a couple hundred on it only to find out its the coils or the O2 sensor.

Prior to the engine light coming on I had seen it flicker a handful of times during hard acceleration. I had also just recently fueled up with a new tank of gas and it has been very wet around here lately. When it finally came on and stayed on I was late shifting coming out of a hard turn. Acceleration seems slightly sluggish coming from stop to sixty.

Any advice or thoughts on what this might be? The general weaker acceleration feels like thin fuel to me but I'm worried that it might also be an overall electrical failure related to the random warnings I've been receiving. It seems unlikely that the plugs on the front rotor would turn sour in 8k miles.

A flashing (flickering) CEL means a misfire. Probably the plugs or coils, or both.

All right. I'll get replacement cords. Any recommendations? Also has anyone ever had their warranty give them trouble for aftermarket cords?

Chances are it is not the wires. Were are you located?

Located in Austin, Texas. Closer to the Round Rock/Austin edge of town along Mopac. Mechanic recommendations or otherwise?

PM member canaryrx8. He may be able to help you, he is in Austin. Or if you wanna head down to SA, you can swing by the house and i would be more than willing to check it out.

Awesome. SA is a bit out of the way for my work schedule but I'll give Canary a PM. Really appreciate the information and time you've taken to help.

All right, after a bit of back and forth I was finally able to check the plugs. Something seemed amiss so I went to Mazda and had them do a compression test. Shocking to no one, it failed (just barely). However, much to my total joy, they agreed to replace the engine with virtually no complaints whatsoever.

Celebration time.

Congrats.