Just over a month ago I've been running with this issue. The car just won't accelerate even when I hit the gas all the way through. Now idk if this is also part of the issue but, it chokes when I start it ( always starts rough), the cars starts to get this terrible smell as well, and the exhaust is really smoky I have no clue what it could be??? Coils were replaced, spark plugs were replaced as well, the computer system was updated. Idk what the issue could be? I have done all the recalls, regular oil changes, I don't ever rod it, car is an 04 only has 65k automatic. Can anyone please help me? I am really frustrated idk where to go I'm tiered of paying Mazda techs $75/hour and continuing to have the same problem.

I appreciate any help I get in advance thank-you!

 

time for a compression test.
and never running the engine to the redline is actually bad for it.

 

check your cat

 

What does it smell like? What color is the smoke?

 

Check the fuel pump and the fuel filter as well, it might be clogged.

 

"My car won't go so I floor it."
Brilliant.

 

Well I deflooded the engine last night and the problem continues! When I turn it on it smells almost like its a burnt fuel. After deflooding the engine it stopped smelling like that it could be just coincidence. I don't ever redline or race it, I drive it like a grandma, so Idk what it could be.

Now the car accelerates absolutely fine when it's on "parked" or in "neutral" but when it's on "drive" even when I hit the gas pedal to the floor the car barely makes it to 2rpm if that. So I'm pretty stuck with what I need to do.

 

"I don't ever redline or race it, I drive it like a grandma, so Idk what it could be."


This is what it could be......You need to redline it....please read here...under Flooding,Power loss, Weak Starter....all of it really..

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/

 

Thank-you very much! This was very helpful it looks like I need to get a new catalytic converter.

 

*Sigh*

Good for you.
Go spend all that money on a new convertor.

And when you replace it, and your car still acts the same way it does currently, then you can do some more research, find the rest of the problems that your car has, and fix all those issues too.

BC.

 

Isn't there a trouble shooting section this thread should be in?

 

Issues car has fixed: New Coils and spark plugs 3 weeks ago, ECU updated 3 weeks ago, defluded the engine 2 days ago, acceleration comes and goes on ad off, only thing I can think is that the cat is starting to act-out. Idk what else it could be I read the "new and potential owners threat". If the car accelerates fine in neutral, and parking, and for a little while its fine in drive and then stops accelerating, drive it the next day same, and the day after the same. What could it be? Engine light is on as well, but the engine is fine, so only thing I could think the problem is is the cat? What do you think?

 

Do you want us to guess at what your CEL code(s) is(are)?
Or are you going to tell us that slightly important piece of information?

Did you replace the wires that go between the spark plugs and the ignition coils that you just replaced 3 weeks ago? Bad spark plug wires will show up more under load than when revving in neutral and park.

If the code is for the SSV valve, that could be causing your poor acceleration issue, too, but until you share with us what the code(s) is(are), its all kind of pointless to speculate.

Plus, if there's something internally wrong with your motor, replacing the catalytic convertor isn't going to fix that, and you will have blown a whole bunch of cash for no reason whatsoever.

What you need to do is finish the ignition system, and tell us the codes your car has stored.

BC.

 

Like he said the codes....some auto parts stores will help you read them...

 

Wow I'm quite ignorant on the subject. Pardon my stupidity, but what do you guys mean by codes? Sorry but I don't know much about this car, but I really like it, so I'd like to resolve the issue, so could you guys dumb it down for me?
Thanks.

 

Unintended, however relevant threadjack : http://jalopnik.com/5875751/why-the-...must-be-banned

 

I wish to find a dealer around my area that only charges $75 for labor.

Around here is about $110

 

Thank-you for the tip maskedferret. Hopefully I can get this whole thing sorted-out.
Yeah 75/hour is not bad, what is bad is having them do work for over 10 hours of work + parts.

 

It was that ssv valve, removed it and cleaned it. It took me forever but its all done and the car is running really well again!
Thanks everyone!

 

Congrats on finding out that it was one of the things I pointed out.
Congrats on fixing it, and getting your car up and running again, probably better than ever.

But yes, following proper diagnostics procedures really does help solve issues much faster. I'm guessing that you either took the car someplace and had them pull the code to find out it was the SSV setting off your CEL, or you paid someone to pull the code, and tell you what the probable culprit was.

Next time you have an issue, that sets off the CEL, get the code read first.
Makes things a lot easier in the short and long run.

BC.

 

Yeah I went to autozone, and they ave me the code for free. I looked that code-up, and I found-out that it was the ssv valve. So I got this very helpful video from youtube : and decided to do it myself. It took me 2 days to do it, had to go get the proper tools of course, and got right on it. And yes now the car runs better than ever. I'm glad you guys helped me figure this out thank-you very much!

 

And the best part is that you didn't have to spend any more money on parts that weren't going to fix the issue, either!

Think of how pissed you would have been to spend all that money on the catalytic convertor, when all you needed to spend was some elbow grease, and a bit of cash for a can of cleaner.

BC.

 

Yes that's for sure thanks for the advise much appreciate it.