smokatoke

So the past couple of days at higher speeds (80mph) it sounds like a grocery bag is trapped under the car, almost a crackling sound. I even looked under the car swearing that's what it was, and looking from the drivers sider underneath I looked at the cat as well to see if it was glowing red and sure enough I could see though a gap where the sensor goes in and it's glowing red inside.

The cat shielding itself isn't red and I have not gotten a CEL yet so not sure what to think? It's a 2008 with on 40K miles on it so well under warranty for the cat, but just want to get feedback before I take it in and/or what else could be making that sound. Also when the car is off its making a more distinct crackling-popping sound which just furthers my thought its the cat.


Thanks all

FungsterRacing

iTrader: (4)

So your O2 sensor is MIA? That's probably the reason for the sound you are hearing. The CAT internally will get hot, but as far as I know it should not be glowing.

The best thing to do is take the CAT off and visually inspect it. It is known for the front housing to shed into pieces and clog the rear housing inside. Essentially it means your exhaust right now could be expelling through the O2 sensor hole.

I recommend getting that CAT off immediately and inspecting it. If it is bad (could very well be), either gut it or get a BHR midpipe (top of the line quality)

smokatoke

The sensor is there but I could see through a slight gap into the cat. I took it to the dealer first thing this morning and they swapped it out and I am on the way to pick it up

Going autoX next weekend so very glad this came up now!! And I was planning on tranny flush this weekend at home so even better that its fixed already.

Thanks for the feedback!

FungsterRacing

iTrader: (4)

Did you get it replaced via warranty? Glad to hear it all worked out!

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hello,
To be clear, your cat WAS glowing red, and the dealership replaced it?

Was the reason it was glowing discussed?
If not, you may have a misfire issue that may damage your new cat as well.

( I bought an 04 from a dealership. 4 days after, the CEL popped up, misfire code. It seems cynical to wonder, but did dealer clear CEL in order to sell the car, then hope to profit from repairs?)

My cat was bad. Dealership said they would replace it for $1400. Never discussed reason for it going bad. I had experience in this area and I passed on the replacement as I knew their was more to it than that. With help from members of this Forum, I was able to troubleshoot it and discovered I had a bad coil and plug, causing the misfire, which caused the bad cat.

Be sure you have determined the reason for the cat failing. I'm fairly certain they don't fail without a reason.

smokatoke

I picked it up after hours so i didnt get to ask any questions. They replaced it for free with zreo hassle. Galpin Mazda in Valencia was always treated me awesome. When i first bought the car two years ago i took it there and they did a bumper to bumper check, replaced the engine mounts and adjusted the aftermarket exhaust i have because it wasnt seated properly, all free of charge.

I just replaced the plugs, wires and coils a year ago so hopefully thats not the issue. I have never thrown a CEL even when i could hear the cat sizzling during this incident. The tech did mention on a voicemail after i dropped it off that 'they tested it for hours before it finally failed'... Not sure what testing they performed but if it took several tests as implied maybe it was just borderline starting to have issues and they swapped it out?

Car is running great now, especially after i put in Redline tranny fluid yesterday. Racing next weekend and i picked up a GoPro at Costco that i cant wait to put to use! Video to follow

black_butterfly580

Dear Guys,

First of all I wish to say that I loved my car. I have a 2004 Mazda RX-8 6-speed. I worked hard for it...5 years until I finally got it for $8,000 on a street deal. I got a loan from my bank and now owe still $4,000. Everything was good until last year. I've definitely been to hell and back with this freaking car. Last July the car died and since I'm a single mom of 2 kids didn't have the money to buy a new engine 'till this tax season. Thinking that after 8 months of not driving my baby and finally having the money to put it back on the road made me really excited. I just replaced the engine which was a pain in the neck since I had it done with a mechanic. Everything was wrong with starting this car. 1st the battery died so we jumped started it (or at least tried) but it didn't start. Then we checked the spark plugs and one was broken so we take it back and crank the car with jumping cables since the battery was dead after trying to crank it for 2 or more times. Then it was a huge amount of oil and smoke being burned but after a while it calmed down and it was running fine for 2 days. Then out of the blue my car was smelling like burned plastic, it was shaking like crazy, the check engine light was blinking and it was loosing rpm's. I stop in AutoZone and have it tested for the check engine light that was blinking and it had 6 misfires. One said "too lean to bank 1", another one said something about the catalyst converter, etc. I get home to my brother mechanic who has an RX-7 (which are better than this junk) and it turns out that the engine harness burned. I buy a new one and the car is shaking uncontrollably like before when the other harness burned. Now once again my car smelled like burned plastic. They tell me is the computer since we jumped started the car so much but the place that is selling me the computer only has a computer for a 2005 Rx-8. Could it be the computer? Are the 2004 & 2005 computers compatibles? I call the dealer and they ask for both cars VIN numbers. How the F%^& am I going to have a VIN number from a used parts place? I just need to know if they're compatible. Can someone help? What is wrong with this car? I really just want to sell it but I still owe $4,000 on it plus invested $2,300 on a new engine. What or how can I fix it to get rid of it?

Cliffjumper126

I can't help you, but if you want help, then you need to start a new thread in the "trouble shooting" section of the site instead of just posting here where no one will see it