Rx8 running sluggish..PLEASE HELP!!
 

So my Rx8 Is running funny and I'm fearing the worst but hoping for the best! 2 weeks ago I installed a full TurboXs exhaust. It was running good. Until a few days ago it started to sound kind of boggy and raspy at take off and up to about 4k RPMs. Then it seems to open up and go but still sounds kind of raspy. My CE light is on, but its been on since installing the catless midpipe. I'm going to check for possible exhaust leak tomorrow but I highly doubt that's it. I had this same kind of problem about 4k miles ago and i replaced the spark plugs and that fixed it..until now. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance

Get the codes pulled off the Malfuction Indicator Lamp (your CE light) and report back. Also full details on your ride (year, tranny, miles, maint, any other aftermarket items, etc is always helpful too.

I didn't get a chance to get the codes today, stuck at work. But it is an 05 manual with 54,000 miles. I bought it a year ago with 48,000ish miles. Not sure what the previous owner did as far as maintenance goes but since I bought it i've changed all fluids as well as stayed up on top of changing and topping off. I replaced the spark plugs MAYBE 4,000 miles ago if that. Only aftermarket part is the TurboXs exhaust and midpipe (installed bout 500 miles ago) rest is stock. Car ran good and sounded fine. Tried to get it to shoot flames like YouTube (wanted to be "cool" ya know :lol2:) but would only puff smoke. Not usre if this has anything to do with it but. It sounds raspy and fuzzy at take off and now all through the RPM's not smoooooth like normal and is really hesitant to go at take off and low RPM's. HOPEFULLY I get time to go to the shop tomorrow and get this thing plugged in to see what it says but until then..

Update...CE light shut off today... but still acting like its running on molasses :dunno:

Gotta bump this thread....Car was running better but then decided to crap out and fails to start. Just cranks. Tried using the flooding method to see if that was it, but doesn't start. Gotta motorcycle to drive but NEED to get the 8 back up to speed before Friday so any help is really appreciated!

Get the cel read. Even if the cel goes off it is still stored in memory unless you regularly disconnect your battery. Chances are the cel will only be about the rear o2 sensor or a p0420 since you have no cat, which wont help diagnose it but you might get lucky.

When was the last time you replaced your ignition coils or wires?

CE light came back as o2 sensor from midpipe.. I haven't replaced the coils or wires since I've had it and I'm unsure if the owner before me did. I bought at 48,00 miles and car now has 53,000 so for all I know they haven't been replaced. How do I test? Pull plus to see if they're fowled? Check fuel pressure? And how much would I be out to buy these?

Wow, that is exactly what is happening to mine right now.

Does it start fine when it's already warm, but when you go to start it in the morning or something it feels like it just has no juice?

I'm not sure whats going on but I figured I would try a tune up first and go from there.

I just spent about $250-300 doing coils and plugs and still will not start so just be aware, just because it often is coils that is a pretty significant expenditure to NOT sort out a problem. If you have alternative transport you might want to take a little extra time to really find the problem - if you can.

Anyhow good luck.

Your problem is compounded by the fact that you don't have the right tools to test with, nor the knowledge to use the tools even if you had them at hand.

Your car was flooded, as you said in your thread.
Chances are your entire engine is low on compression from the lack of oil film in the combustion chambers, hence it can't fire up. But, you need to perform all the tests I just mentioned in your thread, or pay someone to do them for you.

Complaining about having to spend money in another thread because the advice didn't help you in yours isn't helping them, either.

BC.

BC I wasn't complaining I was observing. I was just urging caution. There are a lot of threads here that say coils and plugs and everything will be all right. That is true in many cases but in many cases, or so my reading of various threads here tells me, in many cases it is not. I was just urging caution.

Anyway please let us not hijack this thread for this discussion. I was just trying to offer a cautious cautionary note.

Steve

Alright sorry its taken awhile to reply....I can bring some closure to this thread since it was in fact the coils. I bought a set for 130 bucks that have a lifetime warranty on them. Took 20 easy minutes to change and vola! Fired right up and runs like a champ! Hopefully this will be the last needed fix for the summer :evil_laug Big thanks to everyone that helped on this!

Well don't I feel like a dummy!:bowdown: