First of all, long time fan, first time member!

I just recently bought a 2004 MT rx8 with 83,000 miles, box stock other than vertical door hinges.

This vehicle had a CEL light on when I bought it (although it idled consistently and didn't stall), but I immediately searched google and rx8club to get answers for all my concerns with anything related to owning a rotary and any issues that might emerge.

so here goes:

approx. 2k miles ago the previous owner replaced coil packs and also had the engine replaced. 2 weeks later we all deploy to iraq only to return in december and I purchased his car in january. at some point between those months he replaced the rear o2 sensor with the bosch o2 sensor. here are the codes and what i did to try to correct them.

1/17/11:
p2270
p0171
--cleaned maf, iat, terminals. looked for vacuum leak and found nothing. tried to reset pcm, but CEL stayed. (i was resetting the ESS and didnt realize it. (FAIL))

1/29/11:
--same codes. 1/3 bottle of seafoam added to 1/2 tank of fuel. (seemed to gain a bit of power and a smoother rev)

also began to question the bundle of o2 sensor wires smothered in electrical tape dangling below the car. purchased another bosch o2 sensor and installed. while battery was disconnected, I held the brakes down for a few minutes. codes gone.

once car was started it idled rough and then smoothed out. no CEL, but a mile down the road it decided the new o2 sensor didn't do the trick. I immediately drove to autozone, had the codes read and got my previous p0171 and a new p2096.

1/31/11:
looked for vacuum leaks, found nothing. cleaned maf, iat. replaced air filter. old one had lots of oil on it. cleaned inside of airbox and intake tube, good bit of oil in there. tightened every clamp on the intake system. cleaned positive battery terminal, was covered in corrosion. while battery was disconnected, brakes were held to clear codes. CEL returned within 1 mile.

Haven't read the codes yet today, but I will soon.
does anyone have any ideas?

I've been bouncing the idea of either the cat taking a dump (although, I thought that would make it run rich) or the fuel pump/filter being clogged/damaged, or even the bosch o2 sensor giving insufficient readings.

I've searched all over but I cant seem to figure out the exact answer to my particular situation, but I'm sure some of you rotary gurus could guide me to a proper answer.

I see a lot about the vacuum hoses that run off the bottom of the intake tube, but mine are attached and seem to hold smoke when I blow smoke in there

once again, thank you for your time and patience. looking forward to more posts!

 

UPDATE:
only tends to do this when it is warmed up. pops once at around 6k. cat doesn't glow, but only examined in the daytime.

contemplating the idea of gutting my cat.

I've searched the boards, but nothing seems like an appropriate answer.

would a clogged cat cause these kids of problems (p2096 target a/f system too lean- right bank)? any ideas?

 

did you replace the Front O2 sensor or the Rear O2 sensor.
I didn't see which .. maybe I missed it.
Did you replace it with a factor oem O2 sensor or an aftermarket.

I think P2096 is Bank 2 not Right Bank -- this is important why? IIRC P2096 is a Rear O2 sensor code.
The rear o2 measure the efficiency of your catalytic.
Gutting your cat will not eliminate this code

 

I replaced the rear o2 sensor with a bosch o2 sensor and while doing so I also broke the front bolt that holds the o2 sensor heat shield. I was thinking, if the bolt goes into the housing could that be a cat leak directly upstream within 1" of the o2 sensor, causing a lean reading?

 

update: ran the codes this morning before work, 2096 no longer present, 0171 currently showing.

After vehicle heats up .idle fluctuates between 800-500 rpm after revs over3k. When revved to 6500, a pop can be heard.

I do remember while the car was off I blew air into a tube that connects to the top of the intake, closest to the front of the car and it whistled. Not sure where the exit is, but maybe a leak there?

 

Also notice the air box is cracked right where it slips into the vfad. Could this affect anything?

 

update: the stealership took about 2 days to diagnose the problem, turns out it was a bad MAF.

they wanted to charge me about $600 to replace so i just picked it up and bought a new one from the zone for 80 and installed in their parking lot in under 3 minutes!

thank you all for your time!