Notices
Series I Trouble Shooting This is the place to learn more about or discuss any issues you're having with your RX-8

Bright red exhaust around the sensor and to the tailpipe

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 12-31-2011, 08:39 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
i0nic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bright red exhaust around the sensor and to the tailpipe

Hi guys,

I started up my car this evening and right away I could tell something was wrong. Idling very rough, and the exhaust sounded very weird.

I could smell something burning, and after a couple minutes, I saw some white smoke. The engine temp was normal, coolant full, didnt notice anything under the hood.

Looked under the car and as it turns out, the exhaust was bright red. I noticed it around the o2 sensor, and then down toward the tailpipe.

I did some googling, and searching on the forum, and my best guess is that the catalytic converter is responsible.

Just wanted to hear some opinions from other owners. This is the first issue I've had with the car after owning it for almost 2 years.

Thanks for any info you can give me.
Old 12-31-2011, 08:59 PM
  #2  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,721
Received 2,009 Likes on 1,638 Posts
it is always better to post in an existing thread than to start a new one

Old 12-31-2011, 09:29 PM
  #3  
Registered
 
40w8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 523
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
You've got the #1 engine killing condition going on.

The 8 has weak coils that eventually fail, and allow unburned gas to overheat the cat.

Replace all 4 coils and plugs, and cross your fingers the cat isn't fried.

I like the BHR ign coil upgrade.
Old 12-31-2011, 09:30 PM
  #4  
Time for boost...
iTrader: (24)
 
RX8Soldier's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 5,414
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 14 Posts
^most likely already fried, hence the glowing...
Old 01-01-2012, 12:55 AM
  #5  
Registered User
 
FastFreddy61's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Eastern Europe
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
^^^ Correct.
Old 01-01-2012, 10:21 PM
  #6  
I HATE SPEEDBUMPS!
 
monchie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 8,549
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Originally Posted by i0nic
Hi guys,

I started up my car this evening and right away I could tell something was wrong. Idling very rough, and the exhaust sounded very weird.

I could smell something burning, and after a couple minutes, I saw some white smoke. The engine temp was normal, coolant full, didnt notice anything under the hood.

Looked under the car and as it turns out, the exhaust was bright red. I noticed it around the o2 sensor, and then down toward the tailpipe.

I did some googling, and searching on the forum, and my best guess is that the catalytic converter is responsible.

Just wanted to hear some opinions from other owners. This is the first issue I've had with the car after owning it for almost 2 years.

Thanks for any info you can give me.

Info about your car? i.e...year, mileage, mods, etc.

Anyway, you still may have warranty on your catalytic converter.
Old 01-04-2012, 07:06 AM
  #7  
Registered
 
br0wm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
im having the exact problem right now?
does anyone know exactly how long the cat is under warranty and how much a new one would run me?
Old 01-04-2012, 08:03 AM
  #8  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
RIWWP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 0
Received 240 Likes on 110 Posts
New cat is approximately $1,300. Federal warranty is 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. Info easily found through searching.

Driving with a clogged cat will continue to pile cost on top of that due to fried O2 sensors stressing the engine, and eventually set fire to your car. Yes, it's happened several times to members.
Old 01-04-2012, 09:45 AM
  #9  
Registered
 
br0wm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thank you very much
Old 01-05-2012, 06:27 AM
  #10  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
i0nic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
turns out the problem was just plugs/coils. After those two were replaced, I had the cat flow tested and inspected at a muffler shop and it checked out just fine.

One of the coils must have died because the engine was throwing a misfire code.
Old 01-18-2013, 12:48 PM
  #11  
Mr. Örange
 
TANKERG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by TeamRX8
it is always better to post in an existing thread than to start a new one
I've been reading a lot lately about glowing cats, so I looked under my car last night fro the driver's side, and just around the sensor is red. Not the shielding or any other piping. Since this is the first time I have looked and all the other posts I've read, they write it like the entire cat/catback is red. Is my situation normal or is it time to take it in?
Old 01-18-2013, 01:40 PM
  #12  
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Harlan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Bay City Tx
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
No any part of the cat glowing is not normal. The heat shield should not glow, it's a heat shield and there is an air gap. Get it fixed before your engine is next.
Old 01-18-2013, 01:52 PM
  #13  
Mr. Örange
 
TANKERG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Thank you!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Silver_Excalibur
Series I Tech Garage
23
06-06-2019 07:23 PM
BigMikeATL
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
12
05-26-2016 12:31 AM
RXeckless
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
6
08-16-2015 12:51 PM
AussieGray
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
0
07-16-2015 03:58 AM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Bright red exhaust around the sensor and to the tailpipe



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:46 AM.