Hi

I've had my RX8 (2004) for about 3 years now, have had the occasional problems with it, but this is a new one ! Been about a week, the car feels really sluggish usually in First or Second gear, it feels like its not getting enough gas/fuel and seems like its going to stall, even though I am putting my foot all the way down on the gas.

I thought it may have been the tyres and filled up with air, but that's not it. Any ideas? Main signs are it really feels like its going to stall even with a lot of gas..bit jerky too.. its seems to have lost its "umph" a little.

Thanks guys

Emma

 

Start with Plugs, Coils, and Wires.
How long since any of these have been done?
How many miles do you have on the car?
Any starting issues?
After a long drive, can you look underneath and see anything glowing red?



We need more data to try and narrow it down, because right now....it could be any number of things. It's best to start with the easiest and work toward the more expensive.....unless you tell us something that helps out to zero in on it.

 

I had it all fully serviced around November last year so coming up to a year. Its done approx 72,000 miles. Its not automatic, its manual, (think you call it stick shift in America??) .. and that's where the problem seems to be, in 1st and 2nd gear it really struggles, like its about to cut out completely even with enough gas and its really sluggish takes it time to pick up speed. No starting issues apart from this the rest works / drives absolutely fine. No glowing red underneath (that sounds scary)

 

Try to define fully serviced. Do you have a copy of the work order that shows what all they did?

 

Starting to be a pattern here...

Check the obvious...
Plugs, coils, wires, catalyst and maybe fuel pump...

 

I guess Mazda check all the coils, wires, catalysts etc when they do a full service (costs enough) ... I wouldn't know where to start looking !! I will be taking it to Mazda, but just wanted to try to get an idea what I may be in for, but sorry.. my description is a bit vague.. :-(

 

A "full service" at Mazda usually won't include coils, plug wires nor catalysts. The user community has noticed the weakness in the standard coils.
If you've never changed your coils then you're due. And your Catalyst will suffer badly with tired coils
Try to get to a local meet to find some people to help you 'cus the dealer will typically over charge you by a large margin.
There are DIY threads here to help!

 

Thanks DarkBrew, I will definitely look into the coils. x

 

a compression check would be a good idea as well

 

how does it start when warm?
Anyway you have to keep in mind that a bad catalyzer doesn't necessarily glow, actually it rarely does.
I would check the catalytic converter, the plugs and the coils. plugs should be changed every 20\25000 miles during normal use, coils don't last much and that's why there are some upgrades available.
I would also do a compression test if possible, running a lot of time with crappy coils and plugs leads to increased carbon build up.

 

Something tells me that if they actually replaced plugs or coils you would have noticed the bill price and slugged somebody. Before you start investing in coils check your plugs and make sure they aren't fouled or just plain ole dirty, unless you have never replaced your coils as they are past due to fail. After that personally I would be checking for a glowing cat and then inspecting the fuel pump sock and replacing the fuel pump if needed. No matter what...have some serious amounts of cash set aside as none of the said parts are cheap.