Hey all,

Long time forum frequenter, first time post.
Ok firstly, i'll just say that my rx8 is currently sitting at West End Mazda service centre (Blacktown). I had it towed straight there this morning.
They'll give me a call on Monday morning to tell me what's wrong and how much it's going to cost, but I guess I'd just like to know if anyone has experienced a similar problem.
Where to start... '03 build. Manual. Bought 2nd hand. Had the car for well over a year now with zero problems. The car was running beautifully.
80k Service. Drop it into WEM on 10/01/08.
Informed that there was an outstanding recall notice on the car. Invoice says: "Hard to start recall - Spark Plug Leading x 2"
I've never had one problem starting this car. I knew all precautions thanks to the forum anyways... 2 free spark plugs...I'm happy with that.
To the point. I'm leaving Mosman this morning. Start the car, let it warm as per usual (sry planet). Driving down Military Rd, I lose power. CEL starts to flash. The car splutters and sounds horrible. On the verge of stalling.
I manage to get her down a back street, pull over and let the car idle and carry on for a bit.
After about 5 minutes of me going wtf? The CEL goes out and I regain all power. Smooth idle and throttle response.
Confused but happy, I continue on my journey down to the Eastern Distributor.
Hit the M5. Cruising nicely. Same thing happens again. Took the King Georges Rd off ramp. I pulled over near the traffic lights and started to get a little more worried; reoccurring problem. But again...5 minutes later, CEL goes out and I regain all power.
Get back onto the M5, get just past Moorebank Ave...and yep...happens once more.
CEL isn't flashing anymore, but just staying on.
I pull over, turned the ignition off and arranged a tow truck. Trip to Narooma canceled.

Any theories welcome (even those related to poor workmanship during servicing )

 

Yeah sounds like Revolvers Coil problem.

 

Yep sounds like a case of the old ignition coil problem .

https://www.rx8club.com/australia-new-zealand-forum-37/burnt-ignition-coils-130927/


Cheers
Michael

 

Sorry to hear that.

Lucky we are sort of people unlilke the American that "you will need a new motor" talk. We are far more sophisticated.

I love you guys!

Sometimes stop reading what the stupid American talked about it good for you. For once they fucked up my share. Stop borrowing (/end of rant)

 

I had the same dramas with our Mazda 2 recently. It was running perfect - took it to Mazda for its 50K service...got 2 ks up the road, and it happened...warning lights started flashing, engine cutting in and out, and then a total break down in peak hour traffic.

Needless to say I wasn't very happy. It had to be towed back to them and the bottom line is the mechanic f%#*d up.

It seems very coincidental your problem started soon after they serviced it...I'd be asking for a thorough examination FOC.

See what comes out of it before pushing it any further with them...

 

Yes, coils according to the symptoms.

Funny it happened after service

I'd be right up them about that. With another car (another make), as I started it up in the dealer service forecourt after a service, all the lights came on like a Xmas. Turned out some ******** had reversed the polarity or something on cables that affected the ECU. New ECU required. Their problem!

 

Sad that the combined IQ of the serviceman in the dealership is declining.

You are not saying about your Polo there Timbo?

 

No, not the Polo...but I wouldn't be surprised by anything the Canberra VW dealer does

 

That was very bad!

 

My suspension was going hay wire this morning too...

 

It was a good thing I had a solid axle holding the whole thing together...

 

I gotta say, I dont reckon it could have been as bad as Kall's. Her springs on 3 corners had movement inside the spring perch. One of them had nearly 30mm of movement. On this same strut the locking collar was on so tight I cannot imagine they could have vibrated loose and back together that tight. It took 2 of us to get them loose and I have bruises on my palms

 

1 loose plug wire / wires
2 loose plug / not tight
3 coil / coils
4 fuel pump

the cel will likely answer the ?

 

A bit late but I can confirm that sounds almost identical to my experience, even down to getting power back and no warning light only to see (and hear) it go to **** again. Most frustrating. Luckily I had my personal helpline to assist with remote diagnosis.

This all lead to new coils, two new plugs and plug leads at stealership prices - over $1K (because I couldn't wait for parts to arrive nor go through the hassle of having it towed from Artarmon Mazda just because I think they're robbers).

BTW, they rang me a day or so after the work was done to say they would follow up with Mazda Australia about a refund (or something). Nothing heard since - what a shock.

You've all been warned (repeatedly) - get your plugs, coils (and leads) from O/S for a quarter/third of MA's price and stick 'em on your garage shelf until (as is increasingly apparent) the inevitable occurs...

 

...at what mileage point did this occur Dave...?

 

Bit under 40K.

 

Heys

Thanks for the input guys.

Update: 4 new Ignition Coils required. Quote from West End Mazda - $187 each! What a joke. Seriously. Told the mechanic to piece my car back together and i'll pick it up tomorrow.
It's probably not the best idea, but I plan on trying to limp the car home tomorrow night (only about 7 km's).
Taking the path of ordering the coils from the US. A complete set delivered for $AU165 (trying to arrange international express; will cost a heap but still a far better option).
Have some friends that are mechanically inclined (im not...lol!) so hopefully they wont mind helping me out with installation.

Cheers again for the info

 

It's very easy to install, so yeah, just get your friends to install it for them. Just don't get the ignition lead re-attached the wrong way.

 

Revolver's organ bank to the rescue!

I have a spare set of coils. If you need to get your car back on the road earlier, on your undertaking to replace my set when your order arrives, you may collect them from me this week if you like.

PM me if interested and we'll organise it.

 

Revolver! - Champion

PM sent.

If only I read this post before ordering the parts global express! :P nvm!

 

I've responded to your PM.