CEL+smell of gas+backfiring
 

hi im new to the rotary world and i currently got a problem.

i have an 07 rx8 with 47k miles. ever since i first got it it smelled alot like gas at idle. it idles fine and everything. it also backfires at high rpms and when its revving down from high rpms. i just got a check engine light yesterday when i was driving normally on the highway. i have no sweet smell or nothing just unburned gas. havent had a chance to get the code out since i have no scanner. you guys think its the coils or do i have a bigger problem? oh and i checked the coils and they do have white spots underneath them but dont have them tools to accurately check em. help!

1) White spots under the coils mean nothing.
2) Places like Autozone will scan your car for free and tell you what the code is.
3) I have to ask... do you have a mid-pipe? If not, you may have a leak at one of the gaskets in the exhaust system or a hole in the pipe somewhere.

mid pipe?? like a cat? im guessing i do. havent checked. uh, i guess ill go to autozone tomorrow morning

We consider a mid-pipe a pipe that replaces the cat (straight pipe or resonated).
Is the car pretty quiet or is it a little loud?

pretty quite

Then you have a cat.
I would jack up one side (use jack stands) and start the car.
Feel near the exhaust pipes for any leaks (careful because the pipes will get hot, so check quickly).

okay. but would i get a cel for that?

If its leaking near one of the O2 sensors... maybe.
Instead of guessing or assuming, just get the code pulled, post it here, and we can diagnose this further.

ok, will do. thanks:]

ok so the code was p0420. i think it was something about the cat

The cat is covered under warranty for 80K miles.
Take it to the dealer and get it replaced.

+1 on the cat

ok thnaks:] but would that be the cause of the smell and the backfiring?

^...............Yes
Smell more than backfire IMHO, but "yes".