I need a little advice
08-14-2011, 04:23 AM
#1
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I need a little advice
ok, so first off i've had my 8 for a while now and i have corrected a few problems but i still have a few issues and i have researched and tried several things.
The biggest problem I am having is horrible idle. I have replaced coils, wires and plugs, the plugs i had to take to the dealership because whoever had the car before me somehow put the plugs in crooked and almost cost me a motor, but they were able to get them in correctly. The MAF sensor screw holes were stripped out but i was able to fix that easily with slightly bigger screws, and i have cleaned the MAF. I did a seafoam flush to get rid of some carbon build up. But after all of this i still have a low idle problem, and now i'm worried that if i take the plugs out to check them that i wont be able to get them back in correctly, because i dont know how bad the threading is. If it isnt this i would normally change the fuel filter but the 8's is inside the fuel pump, I also smell fuel frequently but i dont see any leaks, so i dont know if I am just running really rich or if there is another problem.
I have what i think is a throw out bearing that is going out, rattles until i engage the clutch, and i hear it inside the car through the shifter all the time. I have heard that most cars you can lubricate the throw out bearing and it will corret the issue, does anyone have any insight on this problem?
And the last thing i can think of at the moment, which i dont know if it just is the this way with the 8 is that my passenger floor board in particular along with the all the metal parts of the passenger seat, and my shifter/console area get really hot, i'm kind of leaning towards a clogged cat, which could explain a lot of problems I am having, but i figured i would see what you guys think first.
Also when i took it to the dealership they told me that the auxilliary fan was not working, but due to getting out of the military and moving and now working a lot and lack of money i havent really been able to take it back it, however i have not overheated the car and usually never even get close. Also the dealership told me that the compression was fair, which i do plan on getting another compression test soon, just to see what it looks like now.
I would appreciate any help that anyone can offer, I do expect a little flaming because I am still new to rotories and to this forum, but i would rather take it and get the right help than go do the wrong thing. Thank you for your time
The biggest problem I am having is horrible idle. I have replaced coils, wires and plugs, the plugs i had to take to the dealership because whoever had the car before me somehow put the plugs in crooked and almost cost me a motor, but they were able to get them in correctly. The MAF sensor screw holes were stripped out but i was able to fix that easily with slightly bigger screws, and i have cleaned the MAF. I did a seafoam flush to get rid of some carbon build up. But after all of this i still have a low idle problem, and now i'm worried that if i take the plugs out to check them that i wont be able to get them back in correctly, because i dont know how bad the threading is. If it isnt this i would normally change the fuel filter but the 8's is inside the fuel pump, I also smell fuel frequently but i dont see any leaks, so i dont know if I am just running really rich or if there is another problem.
I have what i think is a throw out bearing that is going out, rattles until i engage the clutch, and i hear it inside the car through the shifter all the time. I have heard that most cars you can lubricate the throw out bearing and it will corret the issue, does anyone have any insight on this problem?
And the last thing i can think of at the moment, which i dont know if it just is the this way with the 8 is that my passenger floor board in particular along with the all the metal parts of the passenger seat, and my shifter/console area get really hot, i'm kind of leaning towards a clogged cat, which could explain a lot of problems I am having, but i figured i would see what you guys think first.
Also when i took it to the dealership they told me that the auxilliary fan was not working, but due to getting out of the military and moving and now working a lot and lack of money i havent really been able to take it back it, however i have not overheated the car and usually never even get close. Also the dealership told me that the compression was fair, which i do plan on getting another compression test soon, just to see what it looks like now.
I would appreciate any help that anyone can offer, I do expect a little flaming because I am still new to rotories and to this forum, but i would rather take it and get the right help than go do the wrong thing. Thank you for your time
08-14-2011, 06:30 AM
#2
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Random thoughts.......no particular order.
1.) Spin fan by hand and see if turning freely.
2.) Then verify whether or not it comes on when it's supposed to.
3.) Next time driving(and since issues) watch temp very closely, but when you get home, look underneath and see if CAT is glowing. If so...........obviously that's not good, but it is covered for 80kmiles/8 years.
4.) Low idle....at this point I would leave plugs alone, but check your motor mounts as this can cause the issue, but also I would clean the ESS and see if that helps. Searching for this will give you the location and you can just wipe it down.
5.) The temp gauge is really a dummy gauge, so by the time it tells you that you are overheating, it's too damn late, so be very, very careful with that.
6.) Throw out bearing..............not sure.
7.) At this stage I would say "no" to the fuel filter.
8.) What the hell......make sure that all your plug wires are correctly seated on both ends.
9.) MAF.................make sure even though larger screws, look at the O-ring and make sure it's sealed good.
10.) I assume no CEL?
Links to good stuff to read.
New and Potential Owner’s, Start Here:
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
Congratulations, you got an 8:
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/congratulations-you-got-8-a-202548/
New Owner FAQ’s:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.ph...&highlight=FAQ
FAQ’s:
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx-8-faq-please-read-before-posting-959/
Above all, please don’t make threads on subjects that have been covered a thousand times, use the search function on this site, or click this link that might work better for you -----> Search rx8club via Google I set this up to go to ESS searches, click it.
1.) Spin fan by hand and see if turning freely.
2.) Then verify whether or not it comes on when it's supposed to.
3.) Next time driving(and since issues) watch temp very closely, but when you get home, look underneath and see if CAT is glowing. If so...........obviously that's not good, but it is covered for 80kmiles/8 years.
4.) Low idle....at this point I would leave plugs alone, but check your motor mounts as this can cause the issue, but also I would clean the ESS and see if that helps. Searching for this will give you the location and you can just wipe it down.
5.) The temp gauge is really a dummy gauge, so by the time it tells you that you are overheating, it's too damn late, so be very, very careful with that.
6.) Throw out bearing..............not sure.
7.) At this stage I would say "no" to the fuel filter.
8.) What the hell......make sure that all your plug wires are correctly seated on both ends.
9.) MAF.................make sure even though larger screws, look at the O-ring and make sure it's sealed good.
10.) I assume no CEL?
Links to good stuff to read.
New and Potential Owner’s, Start Here:
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
Congratulations, you got an 8:
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/congratulations-you-got-8-a-202548/
New Owner FAQ’s:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.ph...&highlight=FAQ
FAQ’s:
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx-8-faq-please-read-before-posting-959/
Above all, please don’t make threads on subjects that have been covered a thousand times, use the search function on this site, or click this link that might work better for you -----> Search rx8club via Google I set this up to go to ESS searches, click it.
08-14-2011, 08:31 AM
#3
It's always a good idea to give more information about your car when looking for troubleshooting help. What year? How many miles? How long have you owned it? Have these issues been prevalent since you got the car, or are they a recent change?
As usual, Mazurfer's advice is all sound. Here's some more to chew on...
Throw out bearing... No, you can not lubricate it. It contacts the pressure plate, which contacts the clutch disc, which contacts the flywheel. Having grease flying around inside the bellhousing is definitely not a good idea. A noisy throw out bearing with the clutch disengaged is pretty typical, so you'd have to have someone very familiar with them to determine if yours is typical or not.
Along the same lines, a very warm console/floorboard is common too. But is yours atypical? Checking the cat is your first thing to look at.
Neither a dirty fuel filter nor a clogged cat is likely to cause an idle issue. Consider that both of those would cause a restriction in their respective systems, you would see an issue when the demand for high flow (either fuel or exhaust) is needed. Idle needs a minimal flow of both, so they really aren't going be a factor there. Do you have any issues with power at high rpm?
If you do have a rich condition, that would cause your cat to overwork, and could also cause a poor idle. You may be on to something here.
As usual, Mazurfer's advice is all sound. Here's some more to chew on...
Throw out bearing... No, you can not lubricate it. It contacts the pressure plate, which contacts the clutch disc, which contacts the flywheel. Having grease flying around inside the bellhousing is definitely not a good idea. A noisy throw out bearing with the clutch disengaged is pretty typical, so you'd have to have someone very familiar with them to determine if yours is typical or not.
Along the same lines, a very warm console/floorboard is common too. But is yours atypical? Checking the cat is your first thing to look at.
Neither a dirty fuel filter nor a clogged cat is likely to cause an idle issue. Consider that both of those would cause a restriction in their respective systems, you would see an issue when the demand for high flow (either fuel or exhaust) is needed. Idle needs a minimal flow of both, so they really aren't going be a factor there. Do you have any issues with power at high rpm?
If you do have a rich condition, that would cause your cat to overwork, and could also cause a poor idle. You may be on to something here.
08-14-2011, 03:54 PM
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The cat isn't glowing it wad at one point to to misfire causing me to run rich which I was able to correct. The o-ring on the maf is in good shape. It is a 2004 with 89k miles. Ive had the 8 for about 9 months and I don't recall it idling badly nor getting so hot. I think I answered all the questions. I think im gonna replace the whole clutch because labor is the same and I don't wanna mess with the clutch myself and then replace exhaust with midpipe and cat back. If I still have problems after that, a compression test and probably the bhr ignition then I will be back to the drawing board
08-14-2011, 06:28 PM
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You might wanna get the compression test first. Just a thought.............would hate to see you spend all that money and then find out you need a new motor. If you have oil receipts the warranty is 100k miles or 8 years. They will most likely get you to buy coils and new plugs before the test.
08-15-2011, 06:34 AM
#7
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Okay........just making sure you weren't dumping cash for nothing.
Clean that ESS..........you can just wipe it down. That's an easy one to do.
Clean that ESS..........you can just wipe it down. That's an easy one to do.
Last edited by Mazurfer; 08-15-2011 at 06:36 AM.
08-16-2011, 03:22 AM
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Ok so I took the ESS off and wiped all the dirt and gunk off of it and put it back on and still the same. So I decided to listen to my exhaust I do have quite a few faint pops then a couple louder ones in between. I think I might be misfiring. Is it possible that a bad motor mount could have anything to do with it?
08-18-2011, 02:33 AM
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I did clean the maf, but I will clean it again just in case because I have removed it and the the air box and hoses. What all could a bad motor mount cause?
Last edited by littleace09; 08-18-2011 at 02:57 AM.
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