eludinu

sup rotor heads,
I'm new to the rotary world but I've been doing mechanical work for years. Here's the info on the car... 04 rx8 mtx 6sp 136k.

before I get the "search comment" I'll say I have and that's what has gotten me this far.

here's what I've done.
1) plugs and coils
2)clean the ess
3)seafoam
4)switched battery
5)cleaned maf and installed air filter
6)clean tb
7)20 pedal stomp but I'm not sure if my car indicates it with the needle sweep
8)drain and fill coolant

these are in no particular order. I haven't had the compression checked because I can't afford it right this minute.

here's the story of how I got the car and the issues. I purchased the car at auction. It ran out of gas at the door so it was just myself and another guy bidding. The seller counter offered on my final bid because it wasn't at his reserve. I agreed if he put gas in it and give me a hour to drive it. After they put gas in it and started it (took several attempts)I drove it around the lot. Made a few passes before the auction security threatened to throw me out for driving to fast lol. They pulled in front of me and after stopping I slipped of the clutch (oops). Yeah I've owned plenty of manuals just a fluke. Had a hard time getting it started. Owner said I might have flooded it. He got it started after 4/5 attempts. I let it idle for mins while I did the title work. Went to the gas station and put 93 in it because I live a hour away. I left it running during fueling.the owner said to. Drove it up the interstate and gave it hell.

here's what happened that night and since.
up the interstate it would flash a cel at high rpms. I'd grab another gear and keep getting up.felt like it was missing at high rpms
the light would go off so I kept driving assuming a ignition error.
that's why I changed the plugs and coils.
the next morning it smoked on start up. After it warmed up it ran fine. Drove it to the store and it wouldn't start when I came out. It was still on the old plugs and coils at this point. It started after a few attempts.

the next day it was warm I took it out again. Now it was shutting off at idle.old plugs and coils.

finally I received my plugs and coils, installed them and the new air filter. The old filter was soaked in oil.the maf and tube as well. Cleaned it all with cleaner before instal.

it only smokes a little on start up now. It doesn't smell like coolant and the bottle is still full from when I added some.almost forgot it was about a half quart above the full line on oil and I drained it down to then full mark when I seen the air filter had oil on it(the old filter).

the little green sensor had a broken plastic nipple so I fixed that. (vfad?)

so the past few days its been nice so I cleaned the ess and seafoamed it because now it won't idle.it will idle on start up till it gets warm then it will stall.I let it cool and it fires right back up. It has the upgraded starter and a 4 year old "new" cat. I swapped the battery out of my Dakota to eliminate the possibility of a week battery. I can shift it to neutral and keep it running. I can pop the clutch to restart it if it stalls while warm. After everything I've done it still flashes a cel at high rpms under hard acceleration. Besides a compression check is there anything I can do?anyone live near Charles town wv and have the compression tester? I can compensate you for a hour of your time.northern Virginia is like 30 minutes away if anyone is in that area. Mostly I'm looking for advice and a miracle. Can't afford a rebuild right now. I've searched and used several of the diy from this forum. Would a ssv cause stalling at idle issues? Don't want to gut my cat and have a cel till I get it idling and running.help a brother out lol.

TANKERG

Any way you can find out what CEL the car is giving you?

eludinu

with it shutting off at idle its hard to drive in town to AutoZone

eludinu

I put 25/30 miles on it yesterday out back country roads to see if it needed to relearn the fuel trims. It died at a real busy intersection and I had to push it to the side of the road.after about a half hour it cooled down and fired right back up

Lvis

i wouldnt drive it anymore.... get that compression test

eludinu

yeah based on research I've done I'm thinking the same thing. Compression,cat,ssv. What about vacuum leak?

Harlan

iTrader: (3)

Just helped a friend with similar issues. If the car was driven for a long period of time with bad coils or other major issues then the learned parameters of the ecu may be bad. Disconnect the battery and leave it off for 20+min then reconnect. Get rid of all the nasty habits it developed to run with bad coils.

https://www.rx8club.com/trouble-shoo...memory-169443/

After that the car will either be fine after a couple drive cycles or the problem will persist and you will know it's a real problem.

yokohamaboi

iTrader: (1)

Get a oil catch can! that will help with the oil in the intake. i belive the 04 has the fill cap spout oil line routed to the intake. common problem https://www.rx8club.com/do-yourself-...-basic-164463/

ShinkaEvo

iTrader: (3)

Flash cel means misfire, no need to check code.
There's are plenty of thread on that topic.
Good luck.

ShellDude

iTrader: (12)

Spark plug wires and compression check ... Definitely do the battery disconnect + 20 stomp.

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

Take the VIN to a dealer and see if the MSP-16 reflash has been done. It's free and will help with "normal" flooding problems. (Though it's clear you have other problems). Check the cat for clogging - misfires will ruin it no matter how "new" it is.

eludinu

I switched the battery out for the one in my Dakota and did the 20 stomp but the gauge didn't sweep. I've read that some models dont. How would I know if I have one of these models?

eludinu

thanks,yeah I'm going to order one.getting this issue solved first. Not trying to spend anymore until I know for sure if its low compression. I read a lot of post about the catch can.

eludinu

yeah, I've experienced it in plenty of other cars. I buy/sell/fix cars in my spare time.just wanted to list every possible issue I could...well within reason lol.thanks for the reply though

eludinu

thanks,I'll look into that.I called Mazda to check on the work done.no engine replacement. New cat, suspension components,coolant bottle,fuel pump.they made no mention of a flash so that's certainly something I'll have checked.

eludinu

could I switch the wires around and see if it makes a difference? Is there a way to check them other then visually? As for the compression check, funds are a little tight. I know it has to be done. I know you can check it with a regular tester and get a idea based on what I've seen. You just take the needle valve out. I seen the YouTube video. Where do you guys stand on this? I have one of them at the shop. Worth a shot or is it a complete waste of time? Again I appreciate the replies and advice.

eludinu

if I gut the cat I'll throw a cel correct? I'll look into a mid pipe after I get the stalling issue addressed. Just dropped almost 5k on the car and really don't want to have to rebuild it as soon as I buy it.guess I should have researched the rotary problems before I just bought it lol. Oh well live and learn. If it is a bad engine will I be able to recoup most of my funds by selling it the way it is?I realize I'm going to lose a little but I should be able to get 4k right?