briangre

Hi all,

I'm about to go surfing through the forums, but I wanted to get this out first.. let me state up front that I am *not* a mechanic. I used to work on an old 351 cleveland, but that has nothing to do with today's cars..

I have an 04 RX-8... right after it hit 60k miles (out of warranty) I'm told that the secondary intake needed cleaning because I didn't drive it hard enough. I won't argue that, because I did baby it most of the time; I wasn't aware of the driving needs.

So I paid the 2k to get it "fixed".. now less than 30k miles later and much harder driving (including a damn speeding ticket -- first one in 20 years) I'm sensing some of the same symptoms:
1. CEL (have not verified the code yet)
2. hesitation at highway acceleration
3. and today I heard the rattle under the hood during the hesitation

I guess I'm curious whether this could happen again so soon and if it is because I'm still driving it too easy.. or if this is a failure on the dealership of not fixing it properly to begin with..

the other issue I seem to have is that they've replaced O2 sensors at least 4 times so far.. is it common for these to go bad?

thanks for any advice here... I really do love my RX-8 and have since day one, but if I can't rely on it, then I won't be able to keep it..

Brian

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

2K for the SSV valve fix is highway robbery

4 O2 sensors seems very extreme

Best advice...do some research and start working on it yourself...or find a good rotary mechanic and buy a lot of coffee and doughnuts

briangre

thanks for the reply, Dannobre..

so I took it by an Advance Auto today and they said they can't get the code for some reason.. that it's either a soft code or something is wrong with the data port they connect to..

Is this a situation where I'll have to at least take it in and pay the $80 for Mazda to then tell me what they think is wrong?

zoom44

it has to be a CAN compliant reader not just obdii. if there is a light its not a "soft" code

1,2 and 3 could also be symptoms of bad plugs and/or coils. those could lead to incomplete combustion which could lead to more carbon which could lead to stuck ssv.


you dont have to break the speed limit to drive it hard. revving to 9k in first or 2nd does the same job as to 9k in 3rd or 4th.

Razz1

Try another auto parts store to read the code.
90k on stock coils?

Replace them with BHR coils.

teknics

i always assumed 1st and 2nd provided more load and so was actually better, am i off? I dont know why ive just always thought that a nice rip in 1st is better, could very well be wrong tho.

kevin.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

1. Get a reader that support OBD II + CAN BUS. ITs really hard to tell, it could be serious engine code, or as stupid as gas cap code.

2. it could be your motor mount (since you never mention anything about it), it could be worn clutch, it could be engine, too many could be, get CEL check first

3. rattle under the hood? it could be your motor mount. open your hood, parking brake, Floor your car. see if you can locate the source.

If I were you, I will try to do some "basic" maintenance first. replace coils, plugs and spark plug wires first. Its not hard, trust me, u need some basic mechanic tools and a spark plug socket. Also, read some of these stuff see if anything applies to your situation :

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...9-08-1929a.pdf (This sound like your "2K to fix" problem, Im with dannobre on this one, I think you got ripped)

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-09-2062.pdf

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...4-08-1924g.pdf

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...5-08-1948a.pdf

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...13-08-1925.pdf

Dont forget, your engine has 100K /8 yrs warranty.

briangre

thanks, everyone for all the responses, I really appreciate it.. I was actually unaware that the warranty had been increased... does that cover the carbon issue if that is what it is?

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

It doesnt matter, as long as your engine fails the test, it will be covered.

otherwise, you will pay for diagnostic fee (which is probably an hour of labor time)

but your 2K problem shouldn't be part of the engine warranty, cuz its SSV, nothing to do with engine (I know it sound ridiculous, but thats what it is)

zoom44

no your probably right. more load= better

teknics

well it's nice to know i haven't simply been assuming something wrongly all these years lol. Always nice to have a chance to clear up ideas.

damn sometimes i enjoy this forum, nice way to bounce ideas and whatnot. I guess thats why sometimes i get all "theoretical" on **** lol, think-tanks seem to bring that to the surface.

kevin.

briangre

hi all... I just got off the phone with my local Mazda service dept and they are telling me the extended 8 yr/100k warranty doesn't cover this problem... that it was only for the blown engine issue they were having..

briangre

ok... looks like it's P2096... I found a couple of threads on here about this and cleaning the MAF and IAT are the first places to start... (wish me luck)...

I guess what chaps me is that with all the O2 sensors they've replaced it makes me wonder if the dealership just did this first and sent me away...after warranty it's a quick $400 for them.. just insane what they charge for this stuff..