Hey, been a reader for awhile and as I'm a fan of the search function I haven't found much reason to post, as my name suggests I have drive a nordic green 04 that is a manual.

On topic though:

Issue:
Obnoxious loud knocking, pace of the knock increases with engine RPM. If I sustain above ~6k RPM for more than about 10 seconds the car stalls when I decelerate and is flooded, not horribly bad but enough it has to sit for an hour or so before I can start it again. No CEL. I've uploaded a video, although the noise isn't captured as well as in person.

Circumstantial stuff:
New plugs, coils, wires and redtop 35 (OEM coils, NGK Plugs and wires). I've double checked all plugs coils and wires, all plugs are in the correct location (lead/trailing) and torqued to spec, all plug wires are secure and matched to the correct coil and plug. I've double checked the intake for vacuum leaks and despite being overkill added clamps.

Things left to check/do:
Clean MAF
Check cat (haven't noticed it glowing but i'll pull it off this weekend and see what it looks like inside)
Clean spark plug threads (maybe the threads are gummed up giving premature torque reading and we're hearing the spark plugs?)

I'm running out of ideas, anyone have a suggestion?


VIDEO:

 

my rx8 just started doing this same thing today and i have no clue what it is...

 

Not sure what it is, but it sounds like an engine rebuild is in your future. That noise can't possibly be ok.

 

Sounds very similar to this ticking SSV. I'll see if this works tonight and post back.

 

Huh, that makes sense, then it would be leaning out at high rpm and then flooding when the fuel the secondaries have been dumping in makes it down the intake. Hope you're right, please tell us how it goes!

The fact that it changed frequency with rpm was what had me worried.

 

Same, only had the car about 9 weeks and I'm glad it's just a weekend play toy. also glad I was smart enough to get the extended warranty (only had 44k miles when I got it, now 46k). I just wish it'd throw a CEL lol.

It could be SSV but I'm not convinced yet as I don't feel a drop in the power band at all and it's closer to 6-7k rpm that stalls the car rather than 3500 (which i would suspect if it were stuck I'd see the issue @ lower rpm). The SSV was more of a task than I was willing to make last night. No drop in power also leads me to believe it's not the cat. I'll get to the SSV and cat on sat when I can round up some help, I'll do a seafoam tonight and see if there's any change.

I did notice last night the the ngk blues (wires) i put on are all showing about 1/8th an inch of the porcelain on the plugs I double checked the part number from the box and it's right. I went back dug the old plugs and wires out of the trash and saw that there was no gap. I'll pull a plug and wire out tonight and see if it's actually possible to get the boot to cover all the porcelain or if that is actually the way it's supposed to be. Anyone else with ngk blues notice this? I'll try swapping the old OEM wires back on, I figure it can't hurt.

 

So... SSV was good. ESS, MAF, IAT cleaned, cat checked and it's fine.

Decided to check the oil.... Metal flakes in the OIL from the dipstick.

Needless to say it's back at the dealer. Found out it's also a replacement motor with 15k on it. First one was swaped @ 31k.

 

Ouch

 

Upon initial inspection from the mechanic, he stated that it may be a spun bearing.

I should hear back a full report in the next day or so. I'll keep this thread updated for the actual issue, cost and if the extended warranty will actually cover it.

If anyone else has run into this issue I'd love to pointed to their thread.