so i've been noticing that my engine was making a loud knocking noise from the engine. So i took it to the dealer and they diagnosed it a loose shutter valve. they said that if i keep driving on it, it can break off and get sucked in to the engine and kill the engine. if that happens then mazda wont cover it. Does anyone know if this sounds correct. i'm confused because ive checked the forums for this issue but no one else has it.

 

The SSV is known to cause chattering noises.
If you hold the arm that connects the actuator to the valve, the noise will go away.
This part of the assembly is outside of the intake manifold and there is no way that it'll break off and end up inside the engine.
Additionally, there is nothing inside the intake manifold with the SSV that can come off and go into the engine.

Now... without troubleshooting this there is no way to be certain what the issue really is.
It could be the solenoid cycling the valve, it could be a pinhole in the actuator, or something loose where the valve connects to the actuator (the arm is held on by a tiny e-clip).

So while its good to get this fixed, I wouldn't worry about pieces falling into the engine.

 

oh thank you. they told me not to drive it cuz it can fall off anytime. They told me it has happened in a couple of the mazdaspeed proteges they've worked on. They said even though its a different engine it can break off and mess up the engine.

also does this affect the performance of the car. Ever since this started happening my car doesnt accelerate fast like it used too.

 

Well... a Protege doesn't have a Rotary engine now does it
But if you actually saw the valve and how its mounted inside the manifold, you'll know that there is no way that it can just fall down the runners.
Its a pretty big cylinder taking up most of the manifold's width.

This can cause problems while accelerating since the valve may not be opening.
Like if the actuator had a pinhole and couldn't build vacuum (which is what opens the valve), you'll notice power lose above 4200rpm.
Again... this is something that should be troubleshot to narrow down what is really causing this.
Also, any vacuum leak in the intake can cause this to occur since the valves rely on vacuum to open (or close with the VFAD).

 

thanks for the help. the dealership never tells me crap when i ask. Is this inside the intake manifold? just wondering since my extended warranty covers it if its inside the intake manifold.

 

no... this is all outside the manifold.
BUT... if they agree the SSV assembly is bad, they may count it as being inside the manifold.
The actual valve is inside, but the potential problems are all outside (just don't tell them that).
And if they do replace the SSV it'll come with a new valve and actuator so that should take care of most of the possibilities.
I say if they are going to replace it under extended warrant... let them do it.

 

Is the SSV actually covered under extended warranty?? How exactly can it be considered outside or inside the manifold? I'm waiting to hear back on Tuesday if the warranty covers it but the suspense is killing me. This is all i really know about what is covered: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/8-years-100-000-mi-extended-warranty-147287/

 

I'm out of warranty and over 100k and I'm still having my dealer check with Mazda for me since all that crap was replaced once before already, including intake and engine. (they actually suggested that they check for me) For the updated SSV and associated parts I think the quote was $745 just for the parts so it will be over 1k with labor and there is no freakin' way I'm paying that much and I can't afford it anyway. They already ordered the parts for me but didn't make me pay upfront so if I find out Mazda won't do anything I'll just tell them to send back their damn parts and forget it.

 

$745 should be the cost of the part and labor

 

745 for parts only ?

that's more than enough for parts & labor.

I do it for u for 700 bux

 

I have this same problem plus coils and clean the intake runner here is the exact note from the dealer "checked and found the shutter valve needs replaced and intake runner cleaned, all 4 ignition coils need replaced, and the intake needs to be removed for farther diagnostics on control valve. After after inspection of control valve more repairs will be expected for valve replacement or power supply repairs
Gave estimate to replaced shutter valve repairs, coil replacement and removal of intake and control valve inspection of $1365.59 owner declined." I am a freshmen in college and I have absolutely no way of paying even close to that fml please give me some other options

 

send me a message with the part number. i have a friend selling a shudder valve for a rx8 brand new unopened, purchased from dealer. if the parts match they will sell and ship it to you for cheaper than mazda will sell it to you

 

I don't have the part number they didn't put it on the paper

 

try and go back and ask for it, they should give you a printout of the part and price quote for it.

 

Update: turns out that i took my car in last year and he noticed this was sticking so he ordered the part while it was still under warranty but never called me when the part was in and the cel never came back on etc so i thought nothing of it and a month later the heater **** broke so when i called him to make a appointment for that i asked him if he ever got the other part in and if so can he just kill two birds with one stone but he said that i never made a appointment so he shipped it back. and when i requested him to order it again he said that if the cel never came back on i have nothing to worry about stupidly i said ok. and now im in way over my head and hes saying its my fault he didnt put the part on. (end rant) Do i have any ground to get my shutter valve replaced under warranty?

 

Anyone? i see why people start new threads all the time bc no one reads older threads

 

Oh.. people read the older threads... its just once they are done reading the comments they and go on to another thread.
Seriously... we have no control over what Mazda does... you need to deal with them.
Talk to the service manager... if that doesn't work, go up the ladder to the next guy.
If by the end they all tell you "no"... then you aren't going to get it done under warranty.
THEN if they won't cover it under warranty, there are threads on how to clean the SSV so you don't have to mess with the dealer (unless you want to).

If it sounds like I'm a little irritated... its because I am.
There are so many threads where people ask, "Is this covered under warranty?" or "How much will the dealer charge for...?"
Then they get mad or post "ANYONE?!" because nobody cared to respond.
When a simple phone call to the dealer would have been quicker and more accurate since the dealer is who they are inquiring about.

ok... my rant is over...

 

Is the ssv knocking noise can be cover under extended warranty? my rx8 is 93K miles. And im having problem lock of power lossing compression and i have extended warranties.. pls help i need some answer..

 

SSV knocking noise, in some people's opinion (including mine), can also be related to low compression engine and failing seals.

I had SSV rattle, I cleaned SSV but it still was present. My engine died ('04 engine), I changed it and since day 1 no more rattle. Same SSV, same actuator, nothing changed. And I'm not the only one.

I think that sometimes SSV rattling may be a first clue of a low compression engine.