RedBled

I've had my sexy RED RX8 with (renesis type) kit and body "Bra" for a year now... A true head turner where ever I go. I LOVE it!!! (I'll post some pics soon)

Unfortionately there is a problem with it - which I'm going to get sorted out starting tomorrow (Full maintenance planes are the best). I thought I'd post the progress here so that if ever others have the same problem then this could help them out.

So anyway, 5 times already now... I'd be driving along at around 145kms p/h and all of a sudden (almost like the snap of your fingers - without the sound though), my car would loose power. Not only that, but it would STAY lost until the car has fully recuperated - usually the next morning.

It always only happens on long journeys after at least an hour or 2 or driving.
It's not related to the TYPE of petrol (I only use Shell V-Power) (BP is the WORST)
NO engine warning lights come on.
The car is not too hot at the time.

I'm not too technically clued up (I just have great taste ) but to try and explain the loss... The power additions at certain revs you get when driving almost any decent car (on the RX8 there's quite a noticeable one just above 5000rpm), well when the power goes, then these additions dissapear. The same power you have at 1000rpm is what you get all over.

During a power loss if you try and push it too hard you hear a grrrrrrr from the engine.

So on a highway every little uphill on the open road means a lower gear or 3 before you make it over.

0-100kph in ....*cough*cough*24seconds*cough*

Yeah.
Irritating.

I'll post every time I get some more news.

(Shout out to all the others in South Africa with a HP RX8).

VOODOO8

Suggest you try a search on 'power loss' or similar. You will find plenty of other threads on this topic. Here is one example that also just hit this board recently: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/first-cel-now-what-114810/.

As mentioned in the referenced thread, common things to check for are issues with the catalytic converter or the spark plug coil packs.

brillo

I would PM Swoope on this, sounds like his issue with power loss that was a result of the seals not getting proper lubrication.

RedBled

I searched a bit and saw CAT's and COILS but I wasn't convinced because of something the service guy told me. He said CAT's break often because of the low quality of our petrol in this country... then he added that he didn't think it was that, simply because when they do go, they GO. Nothing like the on and off I was experiencing.

The thread you linked to was in fact a big help.
I will go and speak to him tomorrow morning.

dmp

New engine time. That's the primary characteristic my car had justifying it's engine-transplant.

RedBled

Drastic measures - you say. I'll see what the man with the spanner says.

RedBled

Just thought I'd add to the list of symptoms...
The cup holders in the middle of the car get hot enough to fry an egg - even though a heat seal has already been installed. Since the CAT converter sits behind the engine (and kind of close to the cup holders) it might just be the CAT after all.

RedBled

All is done now and it is no different to all the other people who have had this problem before me. The Cat converter gets too hot and then doesn't do what it should, resulting in...
1) A loss of power.
2) A HOT cup of coffee - if kept in the cup holder.
3) An air-con which cannot keep the car cool enough on a long hot drive.

Apparently some sensors which control the amount of oxygen going into the cat were replaced too - "...else the cat would just break again!".