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Bringing the car in - very big power loss

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Old 03-28-2006, 12:03 PM
  #26  
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So it's mostly high RPM, from a stop you can accellerate ok without feeling like the 80 y/o 1 mile away is going to hit you when you pull out into the street??? Sounds like cat to me too.. I've not had a clogged cat on the 8 but I have on other vehicles..

If it is, you should be able to look at it at night and see a bright red glow...

Bad coils just feels like you need to rev to 3+ k to get a good start.. in the upper ranges it's not bad.. unless you somehow have more than 2 bad coils maybe..
Old 03-28-2006, 12:03 PM
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well i got mine back today....

loose trailing plug wire on second rotor..... runs like a dream.....
cant believe it was that simple....

beers
Old 03-28-2006, 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Ice Cold RX8
That's what I thought. I was willing to bet my life that it was my cat that went out. If that were the case, combined with my Greddy exhaust, five foot flames are very likely. However, the tech said that it was a bad coil. They replaced it and it ran great, but it seems like its starting to screw up again. I believe it was the random misfire code, I'll check and see. I'm going to ask the dealer to take the cat off and inspect it before I belive that theres nothing wrong with it. What else would cause flames, AND sparks to shoot out my exhaust? I'm sure I scared the s**t out of some people on the interstate that day

I have NEVER seen a cat-equipped RX8 Shoot BIG flames. I've seen some w/o mufflers or baffled mufflers shoot a flame, however.
Old 03-28-2006, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by guy321
So it's mostly high RPM, from a stop you can accellerate ok without feeling like the 80 y/o 1 mile away is going to hit you when you pull out into the street??? Sounds like cat to me too.. I've not had a clogged cat on the 8 but I have on other vehicles..

If it is, you should be able to look at it at night and see a bright red glow...
The car does feel okay - or the same - below about 4000 rpms now.
I did hear some strange 'rattling' sound one day - got under the car and tried to shake things around, but nothing caused the sound. To me, the sound was that of parts of a cat rolling around inside a pipe. As I couldn't replicate the sound - and the sound eventually stopped, I didn't give it much notice.

I'll try to get under the car after my drive home from work today. Thanks!



Originally Posted by swoope
well i got mine back today....

loose trailing plug wire on second rotor..... runs like a dream.....
cant believe it was that simple....

beers
Brother I REALLY hope my car's issues are that simple. Would mean the world to me.
Old 03-28-2006, 12:24 PM
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so far this issue has been solved in a couple of ways....

new cat
new fuel pump
new motor
new intake manafold
new coils
the hardest fix to find was new fuel pump wiring harness...

these are the ones i have read about...

beers
Old 03-28-2006, 12:26 PM
  #31  
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The rattling could be the cat.. HOwever, You mentioned also that you have an after market exhaust? My borla used to rattle when the car heated up. It was nice and tight when cold but the mounts became slightly loose when heated causing the exhaust to rattle against the heat shield.

Originally Posted by dmp
The car does feel okay - or the same - below about 4000 rpms now.
I did hear some strange 'rattling' sound one day - got under the car and tried to shake things around, but nothing caused the sound. To me, the sound was that of parts of a cat rolling around inside a pipe. As I couldn't replicate the sound - and the sound eventually stopped, I didn't give it much notice.

I'll try to get under the car after my drive home from work today. Thanks!





Brother I REALLY hope my car's issues are that simple. Would mean the world to me.
Old 03-28-2006, 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by guy321
The rattling could be the cat.. HOwever, You mentioned also that you have an after market exhaust? My borla used to rattle when the car heated up. It was nice and tight when cold but the mounts became slightly loose when heated causing the exhaust to rattle against the heat shield.

Indeed - I checked that I hope. When I first heard the rattling, the car was warm-ish...having been running about 10 minutes. I got under teh car and used a broom handle to try to shake the exhaust as well as the cat. Couldn't find the source of the sound. But I'll check again.

Thanks.
Old 03-29-2006, 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by dmp
This thursday i'm bringing the car in to the dealer. Frankly, the high-end power is GONE. When I go WOT about about 5K it feels like the car is yanking ALL the timing....and as if the car were pushing through hurricane-force winds. I suspecting it's either the cat, or coils. btw, economy has dropped from usual 17mpg, to about 12.

IF they tell me they're going to have to replace the engine, I'll absolutely look to trade the car in asap. There's no way I want an engine with miles which doesn't match the rest of the car.

Considering G35 or STI.
Same problems, I used a bottle of Chevron Techron (upto 20 gal bottle,run's about 9 bucks at Autozone) and added it to 1/2 tank two times and it has solved my problem. My car has 36k. I am assuming that the car is building up a lot of carbon deposits. Mine was a pre-owned and apparently they drove it at low RPM's most of the time. Try this, I hope it helps. See my thread posted 3/29.
Good luck!
Old 03-29-2006, 04:17 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by erjjet
Same problems, I used a bottle of Chevron Techron (upto 20 gal bottle,run's about 9 bucks at Autozone) and added it to 1/2 tank two times and it has solved my problem. My car has 36k. I am assuming that the car is building up a lot of carbon deposits. Mine was a pre-owned and apparently they drove it at low RPM's most of the time. Try this, I hope it helps. See my thread posted 3/29.
Good luck!
Thanks Erjjet.


I only use Chevron Gas, and I typically hit WOT 5-10 times per day.
Old 03-29-2006, 09:52 PM
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wot will not do it you have to get it up in the 7.5k to redline range to get the carbon gone...

beers
Old 03-29-2006, 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by swoope
wot will not do it you have to get it up in the 7.5k to redline range to get the carbon gone...

beers

Okay - WOT to Redline several times per day...that's what I meant. I drive this car like I rode my old 636 - all the power is up high, so that's where I live
Old 03-29-2006, 11:59 PM
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You know I'm having an on going problem which sounds like the same problem your having. I thought it was the clutch but I installed a new one and a new flywheel. After that my clutch pedal bracket was broken so the clutch wasn't totally disengaging which caused some chatter. Mazda fixed the clutch pedal under warranty. I thought the problem was resolved until I got on the car a bit and heard, what I can describe best, as a electric crackling sound coming from the engine and a major loss of power after about 5k rpm.

I brought the car back to Mazda for the same issue and finally had the service manager take a ride with me. I had the gas pedal on the floor in second gear and the car was dragging really bad through the rpms after 5k. He told me that the sound and the loss of power was due to faulty motor mounts (bs).

They are replacing the mounts on Monday, but that isn't going to solve the issue. Also I forgot to say that they replaced the solinoid valve in the intake because it was stuck closed, that did help but didn't solve the loss of power and noise coming from the engine.

I had three different rotary mechanics (not from Mazda) look at the car and they all went for rides with me. All three told me the car was pinging and detonating at the wrong time. When I approached Mazda with the findings I was told that there were no internal issues with the engine.

I'm still fighting with Mazda to resolve the issue. I don't know if they are just blowing me off because the warranty is up in 5k miles or what. I wish they would just really look into the issue but it doesn't seem as though I'm getting anywhere.

On a side note the service manager has no credibility in my book. The reason I say this is because when I told him the issue was mostly after 5k he said that the redline was 6k on the RX8 and actually argued with me about it until a Mazda tech had to let him know what the redline really was, (kinda scary).

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I love the car and really want it back to normal opperating conditions.
Old 03-30-2006, 06:39 AM
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If the problem is not resolved on Monday, call Mazda North American Operations (800-222-5500) to calmly register a complaint about the dealer not fixing the problem and to get on the record with this problem before the warranty runs out. Keep detailed records of all your trips to the dealer, the results of those trips and also your phone conversations with the dealer and MNAO in case future legal action is necessary.
Old 03-30-2006, 12:37 PM
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I called MNAO because the service manager was telling me that he had a headache and couldn't take a ride with me. MNAO called him and made him go. I just got back from a Rotary shop and the engine has become worse. It is shaking more than it did when I first reported the issue, and now it's leaking oil from the catch under the throttle body. My radiator warning light is coming on and off, the airbag light is flashing on and off sometimes and so is the check engine light. The sound coming from the engine is louder than ever, it sounds like scrap metal being grinded up in a blender... but Mazda sees no issue. Oh well the thing will blow and maybe then Mazda will admit there is an internal issue. I just want my car back the way it was!
Old 03-30-2006, 12:57 PM
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Good lord, Devious - I'm sorry about your car's troubles. I hope and pray mine has an easy fix.
Old 03-30-2006, 05:49 PM
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FUUUUUUUUUUCK


"Hey Darin - Our Mazda Tech line said to CEASE providing warranty inspection because of the aftermarket Intake and Exhaust"


They Focker was telling me because of the RB stuff on my car, "mazda can Void the warranty"

Last edited by dmp; 04-07-2006 at 03:40 PM.
Old 03-30-2006, 08:37 PM
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Not sure if I'm correct on this, but a dealer can only void the part which has been replaced with an aftermarket part, and can only void the warranty on the entire engine if proven that the aftermarket part was the cause of the issue.
Old 03-30-2006, 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by dmp
FUUUUUUUUUUCK


"Hey Darin - Our Mazda Tech line said to CEASE providing warranty inspection because of the aftermarket Intake and Exhaust"


They Focker was telling me because of the RB stuff on my car, "mazda can Void the warranty"
I see a variation of this on almost every car related message board, parts of the warranty being disputed for intake/exhaust. Not to be insensitive, but why take the chance? Why not wait until a car is out of warranty before modding the high $$$ areas like intake/exhaust?
Old 03-30-2006, 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by devious12
Not sure if I'm correct on this, but a dealer can only void the part which has been replaced with an aftermarket part, and can only void the warranty on the entire engine if proven that the aftermarket part was the cause of the issue.

Right - He claimed the 'oil' from the K&N may have caused the MAF to go bad.



He says mazda is within their rights to void all warranty work if there is a part which MAY HAVE or COULD POSSIBLY HAVE Caused something else to fail, whether they prove it or not.

Magnussen-moss...my ***.
Old 03-30-2006, 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by NomadicRiley
I see a variation of this on almost every car related message board, parts of the warranty being disputed for intake/exhaust. Not to be insensitive, but why take the chance? Why not wait until a car is out of warranty before modding the high $$$ areas like intake/exhaust?

because those are NOT high-dollar areas...they are non-moving parts. Exhaust are just metal. hot gasses pass through them. They don't 'cause' failures.

Intakes are plastic - air passes through them. They don't cause things like what my car is experiencing
Old 03-31-2006, 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by dmp
FUUUUUUUUUUCK


"Hey Darin - Our Mazda Tech line said to CEASE providing warranty inspection because of the aftermarket Intake and Exhaust"


They Focker was telling me because of the RB stuff on my car, "mazda can Void the warranty"
That’s F$&^ed up!!! Racing Beat works closely w/ Mazda USA. Didn’t MP3 Protégé come w/ RB Exhaust? I bet the tech doesn’t know how to fix your problem and trying to blame it on RB stuff…
Old 03-31-2006, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by e46328
That’s F$&^ed up!!! Racing Beat works closely w/ Mazda USA. Didn’t MP3 Protégé come w/ RB Exhaust? I bet the tech doesn’t know how to fix your problem and trying to blame it on RB stuff…

That's exactly right. RB and Mazda have worked together in the past. I found another dealer - 40? miles away who said they'd have no problem diagnosing the problem for me if I bring the car in; aftermarket parts and all.

Still waiting - the Stealership the car is at is supposed to call me today with a decision from the "regional Mazda Rep" on if Mazda will pay for the warranty diagnosis/repairs.

Last edited by dmp; 04-07-2006 at 03:40 PM.
Old 03-31-2006, 11:44 AM
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Darin...they are idiots...take the car somewhere else.

Kevin has had good luck with his dealership in Oly...not that far away

Are you around this PM...I'm coming through
Old 03-31-2006, 12:15 PM
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Hey Dan! Still waiting to see what Milam tells me. called Oly - they said they'd at LEAST diagnose the problem.

Yup - I'll be around; you know I'm in Tacoma-proper now, right? a couple miles from I5, near the Dome.
Old 03-31-2006, 07:44 PM
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I wish I could do that. Other dealerships are refusing to look at the car since one dealer is already trying to address the issue, even though they aren't. Well I guess we will see what happens on Monday, I'll keep you updated but I'm sure you all know the answer I'm going to get... "nothing is wrong with the car or 87 octane cause the issues your having and we are not covering it." Not to be pessimistic but look at Mazda's track record with this problems!


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