manxman

I'm nearly tearing my hair out with frustration and hope I can get some help trying to solve my issue.

Around 6 months ago I purchased a 2004 RX-8 231PS, I live in the UK, actually on the Isle of Man, and we only have one Mazda authorised dealer.

The car ran fine for a couple of weeks, but then started to get a warning light on my dash along with a loss of power (wouldn't go abouve 5500rpm). I took it to my Mazda dealer and they pulled the code off it, 301 if my memory serves me correctly. They told me that the cat was fried due to a misfire.

So I dug into my savings and purchased a new cat, this one to be precise.

At the same time I replaced the plugs, coils and leads as I didn't want to lose another cat over the same issue.

About a month passed after fitting, no more error codes logged, but I did have the occasional loss of power. I spoke to my dealer and they told me this was probably due to bits of the old cat working through the system.

I hadn't been hitting the high revs for a while as I'd been driving in town, but I went out for a burn and when the engine got to between 4500-5000rpm the power I'd come to expect just wasn't there. Now if I keep my foot buried in the carpet it will eventually make it to 9000rpm in the 3 lower gears, but it doesn't sound right, and it's really lazy.

So I went back to my Mazda dealer, and they tell me that the cat has gone again, and I should replace the cat, coils, plugs and leads. I told them not a chance I was doing that again after only a month and since they hadn't identified the original issue.

So they speak to Mazda HQ and they recommend a compression test, which is done, the results came back in their words "slightly lower then normal". Their recommendation? Buy a new engine, cat, coils and plugs which comes in at arounf £7000 ($10,000). I think that they haven't got a clue whats wrong with it so they're suggesting a throw money at the problem.

So I got on the phone to mazdarotaryparts.com and the guy has been really great trying to help me identify the issue.

He sent me a de-cat pipe to use whilst I identify whats up with the car, so I'm not just burning through cats. So I've replaced the cat with the decat and to me (I'm not an expert) the cat that was supposedly broken looks fine. The mazda dealer actually told me it had a hole in it the size of a golf ball, it looks pretty darn perfect to me.

Anyway fitted the de-cat thinking all my power would be back, but it's not, possibly a slight improvement due to the lack of cat, but still the same symptoms.

I've cleaned the MAF sensor, so that's not the issue, I've got no error codes being thrown by the computer, the mazda dealer said they cou;dn't fix it without any codes.

All I can think now is that there is a problem towards the rear of the exhaust system, I'm considering disconnecting the rear section of my de-cat and taking it for a very short drive just to see if I get the power back, but I'm not even sure that is wise.

My car doesn't show any of the normal low compression symptoms, it always starts quickly from cold or warm and it's never flooded.

I know this is a long post, but if you've managed to get through it I'd really appreciate and help anyone could give? Many Thanks.

manxman

Has anyone ever had a fuel pump failure, if so could they describe the symptoms?

From all the research I've done so far, I'm thinking that this must either be a airflow or fuel issue.

Bladecutter

Did you get the numbers for the compression test?
The words "slightly lower than normal" from a dealer should be taken with a grain of salt, in most instances.

Its possible it could be fuel pump related.
You would need to have access to a fuel pressure tester to find out.
Just about any mechanic should be able to assist you with that.

The next place I would look on the car would be the SSV.
Actually, I would probably clean the ESS, and then reset its profile in the ECU with the 20 brake pedal stomp procedure, and if that didn't do the trick, THEN I would pull out the SSV for a good cleaning.

BC.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

BC recommended exactly what I was about to. So, +1 for his reply.

Can you get the numbers of your compression test, and the RPM's that were used for the test?

manxman

Thanks guys.

Think I'll go for an ESS clean + stomping, fuel pressure test and SSV clean in that order. Hopefully the first one works.

Now just need to find myself a decent local mechanic, I don't have the tools or the ***** to to try this myself.

manxman

As for the compression test I never got the readings, and I don't really want to go back to my dealer because they've done such a poor job so far, and I know we're going to have a heated discussion when they send me their invoice.

I downloaded a copy of the RX-8 troubleshooting guide last night, I had a look at all the things they could have tried to diagnose a fault that wasn't throwing a code, and I know they hadn't tried any of them. They said they couldn't fix it wihout a code, but there are stacks of things they could have looked at.

When you said take what they say with a grain of salt do you mean they may have been exaggerating or not telling me how bad it really was?

flyinglow

Compression test will tell you a lot, especially with the year RX-8 you have. If those come back good, then I would look into seeing if your Aux Ports are functioning correctly as it sounds like they may not be working properly. Depending on if they are working correctly or not, they may be allowing too much or not enough air into the engine at "x" RPM, thus hendering your power. They open up I believe around 5k to 6k to allow more air into the engine, much like a secondary intake on an Integra GSR. Although this usually throws a code if they are not working correctly. Just trying to suggest "possible easy" troubleshooting for now until you come back with more info.

Still look into the SSV also.

Chino_rx3

iTrader: (1)

Don't force the car that can make it a lot worst . I know is frustrating but imagine if you mess up your engine Nd all it was , was a fuel pump or ssv or something simple , low battery power very simple stuff can make it worst if you force it. Good luck .