Possibly Low Compression?
 

I think that my engine has low compression. I'm very new to all of this, so I'd like to list my symtoms and see what you guys think. I've done some research, but nothing I found matches the exact criteria of whats going on with my car.

1.) Everytime I start my car, doesnt matter if its cold or warmed up, it takes a while to start. It has a long crank time. It sounds like it won't start, but it does.

2.) My car feels significantly less powerful than my friends stock rx-8. Both are a 2004, mine has exhaust and intake.

3.) The engine light is on. I already know its the SSV solenoid setting it off. I havent been able to fix it yet, but I will be very soon!

I do plan on taking my car in for a compression test this weekend. But before I did, I figured it can't hurt to get the opinion of some others. Could it be that my SSV solenoid is causing the car to lose power and take longer to start?

My car is a 2004 6MT just under 53,000 miles

Any help or advice you have would be great!

it's hard to say, but it sounds like an old slower starter.

Just because you got exhaust and intake that does not make your car faster.

Why don't you fix this first ? you know it does effect power output right ?

you need to do your own homework.

Long start is typically either low compression, weak battery, or dying starter

Certainly points toward compression, though depending on what intake you have, the intake could be part of your problem. No aftermarket intake will net you more than about ~1hp, and MOST will cause you to lose power. The OEM intake is really very very very good. Plus the SSV noted next is certainly contributing to this.

SSV won't cause a long start, but it certainly causes power loss.



It's possible you have more than 1 issue working together to put you were you are at. I wouldn't expect a single solution will resolve it. Compression, starter, and SSV are all "in the pot" for contributing causes, and depending on which intake you have, that too.

I know that just because my car has exhaust and intake doesnt mean its faster. I was trying to give as much detail as possible. And yes I know a bad SSV (or solenoid) could be causing me to lose power. I am also aware of the older starters. I read the thread on potential new owners. I will be fixing my SSV problem, the reason why I'm taking it in for the compression test is because i know the warranty will be expiring soon, so I want to make sure that it gets checked before it does. I also know that a new engine covered under warranty is not completely free. I'm selling my old car, and will need to know if I should set aside some of the money to pay for this new engine if its needed. The reason why I posted this thread was because I found multiple threads trouble shooting each INDIVIDUAL problem I have, but nothing with all these combined. I know that on cars in general there can be multiple fixes to one problem, but also one fix for multiple problems. I work at a BMW dealership, I took three years of auto tech in high school. Am I trained technician? No. Am I new to rotories? Yes. I've done my homework. Now I'd like to get it checked.

The intake I have is a Mazdaspeed CAI

Thank you for your help

^^^ What they said plus..
When was the last time you changed your spark plugs?

I recently bought the car, but the previous owner said that he changed them in December. Next week I'm changing the oil and I'm going to replace the spark plugs too. Even if they look good, I want to do it just so I can know when exactly whenit was done.

Well, it sounds like you have everything in hand with what needs to be done or checked.

Looks like it. Thank you all for your help!!