Gomez

A good mate of mine (who works at a large dealership) told me he has had a few RX-8's in recently that have had the SSV stuck open. The code P2070 (SSV stuck open) is usually recorded, which illuminates the MIL/CEL. The main reported symptom of this problem is a significant loss of power.

The apparent cause of the problem is a large accumulation of carbon in the valve. The only RX-8's he has seen with this problem at this point are automatics.......

What is the SSV, you ask? Kudos to Mr M for the following explanation....he has saved me the hassle of delving into the books!

Cheers,
Gomez.

avg8

Well I think I may the first GT to have this problem...I think, went to the dealership yesterday coz of a CEL, code P2070 came up. According to Mazda Canada, the new part has not yet been "in print" as yet..so I will be one of the first ones getting it...! Hope everything goes well. Was your friend able to fix the auto 8s???

samyv2

So is there about to be a TBS on this issue or a recall? You mention new part and I'm wondering if it will apply to everyone.

avg8

Have no idea, will be speaking to the dealership tommorrrow....will try and find out

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

I had that problem last fall... mine was actually corroded to hell though instead of carbon build up. I had no power loss but got the CEL.


It sucks if it fails and not under warranty. You have to pull the intake manifold off to replace the valve - and in order to get the intake manifold off you have to pull the engine out... pricey!!

NEWireless

Ditto

fixed under warranty

loco4rx8

Just wanted to add to this thread because my CEL came on last night while driving home. Took the car in this morning and found out it was this P2070 code. They performed a fuel injector service and got the valve unstuck - $281 total. I was relieved because they told me if that didn't work, they'd have to replace the intake manifold.

My car is an '04 manual transmission with 71,300 miles on it. I redline it just about every day. I was pretty surprised this happened. The tech mentioned that it could've come from bad gas. Don't know how probable that is, but I've been using predominantly Exxon 93 octane the whole time I've had the car, only occasionally dipping down to 89 octane.

Incidentally, I noticed no symptoms from this stuck valve. The car seemed normal to me when I drove it in to the dealer this morning. Can anyone tell me what kind of damage could've been done if I'd continued to drive it with the SSV stuck open?

Thanks.

NoMore8

I had the same code repeatedly from June until Dec, '06 on my '04 6MT. Mazda finally said intake manifold had to be replaced after replacing plugs and a sensor at my expense. Cost is just over $2K for the part and another $1K to install because they have to drop the engine to do it. Since I've been fighting this problem since I was in the high 50K miles, I appealed to Mazda and they covered under warranty. Had to wait almost a month for dealer to get the part and took them a week to put it in. My car would run fine on good days, but many days stumbled and sometimes even stalled after coming off the highway. One time I couldn't get it restarted until it sat at the top of the ramp for about 10 minutes. I suspect valve would get stuck open. Dealer showed me my old intake and it was all carboned up. He said I should use better gas. This sounds like Mazda's pat answer. I always burned premium and never bought off brand gas. New part looked just like the old part, so I doubt the problem's fixed permanently. This and the 3mpg reduction in gas mileage after the recall reflash were the last straw. I loved the car when everything was good, but the problems were becoming too frequent for me and I traded my 8 in last Sunday.

mysql101

I guess carbon buildup in the engine is pretty bad, but the SSV being stuck open is not so bad. The interceptor-x (at least for turbo) defaults to opening the SSV at 500 rpm and keeps it open from that point on...

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

Just raising an old thread.

I've experienced some troubles lately. I have an '04 Manual GT with 49k miles. I've noticed that right around 5.5k RPMs my car occasionally hiccups. The power cuts out for a split second and then all is normal. It doesn't matter if i have the pedal to the floor or just creeping through 2nd gear getting on the freeway it's done this in many different driving conditions but always at the same RPM. Some times it's more violent than others, some times it's just a slight lull in power.

This morning a get a CEL. And the symptoms were worse than normal. Turns out it's P2070.

I did the Mazda Zoom Cleaner at the end of summer but i'm not sure if that would get up to the SSV. Is there any way i can take care of this myself without a huge hassel?

RK

iTrader: (1)

Define 'Huge'...

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/rpm-dropping-%3D-engine-stalling-162200/

Instructions in there on how to clean out oil gunk in the SSV. Also you should either install a catch can or reroute your oil overflow tubing so it is going to the maint. ports past the SSV rather than into your throttle body in front of the intake manifold.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

look up some TSBs.

its the SSV's spring and some other stuff

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

So this is my definition of HUGE




I was not hoping to have to get that involved. I just spent the last 3 days fixing a faulty fuel system in my buddy's Honda Accord. I'm about sick of oil, gas and dirt at this point We fixed it though

I figure i would start with doing the Mazda Zoom cleaner procedure again, Seafoam in the tank, change the oil (just because it's due) and a nice long rev-happy drive. I think i may order a catch can tonight too. I always thought those were turbo only mods but never really knew what they did. They sound like a good idea though -- i plan on having my car for a long time and it seems like a good longevity mod.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

^Who is that crazy man with the long screwdriver... oh wait!
In all seriousness, I only went that far because I followed the oil trail there.
After taking off his intake accordion tube and seeing oil, I just worked my way back until I reached the SSV.
It was then that I noticed the valve was stuck closed.

You can do the same thing. Stick your finger through the throttle body valve and see/feel for oil residue.
If your finger is clean, then there is no reason to go any further.
You can hook up a vacuum pump to the SSV actuator (which you can see my pump in the pic above) and actuate the valve and see if it moves.
If the valve moves, then try swapping out the SSV solenoid with another (like the VFAD).

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

The last day and a half i've been driving like a bat out of hell getting a lot of high rev driving in. This morning = no CEL

So it can't be stuck that bad right?

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

Ha, I love it that my car and Jon's handy work is now the definition of "Stuck SSV"

Jantzen: I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but you didn't do anything to fix the valve from sticking, so it'll probably happen again. And knowing anything about our cars, it'll happen at the worst possible time.

Honestly, pulling the top of the intake off isn't "that" bad (get sockets with a wobble adapter and don't drop any bolts)

From there, you can spray in some deep creep or other cleaner/solvent and work the valve loose.
Jon figured all of this out for me, so he would be your go to guy for further questions about this.

My point is that something causes the valve to stick... and whatever it was is still in your intake - the odds of it just "blowing out" under hard driving are slim.

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

Fair enough. I have a completely free Saturday with my cars name on it anyway

I'll give it a shot. I've never heard of deep creep but i'm guessing i can find it at my local automotive shop?

Thanks for the help guys!

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

"Deep Creep" is a seafoam brand multipurpose engine cleaner. I picked up mine at autozone for like $5.00

If there is oil in there, your next mod would be a catch can.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Really his code could mean something else other than a physically stuck SSV valve.
It could be the SSV actuator or the solenoid.
That's why I mentioned to remove the intake accordion tube and feel inside the throttle body.
If you don't feel/see oil inside, then its less likely that the valve itself is stuck and something is just preventing it from opening.

04RX8man

thread revival?

takahashi j

iTrader: (2)

seafoam thru brake vacuum?

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

Found the Deep Creep at Autozone. I have a feeling i'm going to find oil in the intake according and/or somewhere in the intake manifold. I did overfill the oil last week but only by a little and I figured since i was going to change my oil this weekend i'd be ok. Apparently not.

I've got a catch can from Fluid Motorsports on the way. Even if i don't find oil i figured it's a good maintenance mod.

I will report back my findings after tomorrow's fun

RK

iTrader: (1)

GL Jantzen.

It's an issue with a 2004. It's not like those go away. Revivals at least mean people have been searching.

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

I started tonight. But before it got too involved i decided i needed a Starbucks and all productivity went to ****. I've confirmed that there is no oil in the accordion tube and no oil in the throttle body though.

Is there a good DIY on the manifold removal? I bet i could figure it out but i just don't want 56 surprises along the way.

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

/\ here is your diy