RX8 pearl red

A pic might help to show the proper sealing of the radiator

04Green

iTrader: (1)

@ Pearl Red

I definitely would. Next time I have the front off, I hope to take several. With it buttoned up, there is not a lot to see.

RX8 pearl red

thanks and waiting

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Hate to say this, do not hold your breath. It could be months. The "fooling with car" list does not have anything under there on it. Basically, if you can see a passage through the support that holds the radiator, put foam in it. One way is to set a trouble light inside from the front, and look for light from the back. I cannot do this because I put heavy wire over all the openings (stupid rock took out my AC, never again).

logalinipoo

If there were a problem with plugs it would be apparent from both muffler tips.

logalinipoo

if you undo the clamp on the back of the airbox and pull the entire box(2-3 minutes at most) the ess becomes super easy to reach.

RX8 pearl red

Hmm, so what do you suggest, The Mechanic says that he ran all the diagnostics , all O2 sensors are working, all Coils are giving excellent current but 2 plugs are not giving proper response. He showed me this on a screen.

Now in my opinion, it could be if i clean ess and change plugs then this minor issue can be solved.. whats your take on this?

Also somebody tell me how to check CAT if it is glowing red. Should i check it at optimal temps at night time and if yes then where should i have to look?

EpikYummeh

There are ways to check for glowing cats but these methods also open the possibility of engine damage, so I won't recommend them. If your cat is plugged and you put the engine under load and at high RPMs, the exhaust can't flow freely enough the catalyst which causes excess heat, which is what makes the cat glow. At this point, it's likely at least some engine damage has occurred, which is why it's vital to drive easy on a car whose cat you presume to be plugged.

... or you can inspect it right away and not baby the car if you don't have to.

The best way to check cat health is to disconnect the cat end of the midpipe (the back end I believe?) from the muffler and visually inspect the catalyst by shining light on it. If the catalyst (looks like honeycomb) is plugged up, you need to replace it; otherwise the cat is healthy and the issue lies somewhere else.

Aston177

Got you covered i sealed up the gaps around the radiator with foam and then covered it with black tape to make it less obvious. The shop I got the foam from didn't have black even with all that, there's still air coming from the sides. I feel it when I put my hand in. I'm gonna try sealing up a bit more.

Aston177

Make sure you cover up all the gaps to force as much air as possible through the radiator. The more you seal up, the cooler your car will be

04Green

iTrader: (1)

To visually inspect the cat, you disconnect it at the FRONT, where it attaches to the exhaust manifold. You can look in at that time. 3 bolts hold it.

Make sure it does not fall, it is a tad heavy, and it could crack the media if you let it hit the ground. There are pictures posted on this forum.

Another example of a plugged cat is very warm center console, especially in traffic.

RX8 pearl red

Hmm, center console do feel warm even on speed and traffic. As there are no emission laws, i am thinking of just gutting the cat and enjoy the dense and a little loud sound of the exhaust.Gutting may make my car gain few HP and few more mpgs. That will solve the issue i guess. WWhen gutting the CAT, should both O2 sensors still have to attach or i have to take the rear O2 off?

As far as foaming radiator is concerned, i covered it from above and right side, but my shield under the radiator is broken so can not cover it properly, thinking of custom make a plastic sheet then foam the radiator from below

RX8 pearl red

thanks Aston177

Aston177

I have a gutted cat and my center console is still warm. One can't say it's blocked just because the center console is warm

Relax, just because it's warm, doesn't mean the cat is blocked. But yes, gutting your cat will give you a bit more horsepower. I'm not sure if it'll give you more MPGs. I honestly don't know about that. I'm sure someone else here can clarify that I kept both sensors on, mainly because having them unplugged didn't mask the check engine light I had from a bad oxygen sensor. Having the sensor unplugged will also expose the connectors to water when it's raining or when you're washing the car. I'm not sure if it'll be a problem, but I kept it plugged, just to be on the safe side.

Aston177

This just might be your problem. The under tray has to be on to direct air into the radiator. Without that, you could overheat. Get a new under tray or fix the one you have ASAP.

Don't thank me. Thank 04Green He's the one who told ME to do it :P

Aston177

While we're on the subject, how did you seal the top bit of the radiator? I'm having trouble reaching the top. Maybe post a picture?

RX8 pearl red

Sure , will post pic soon, there is a gap between upper radiator layer and the front body where the hood connects into bumper.. if you remove the air intake and the shield below it, Also remove the coolant reservoir bottle, you will see the gap..just fill it with the same stuff you filled the rest of it

RX8 pearl red

Also, i can't get a new under tray here in my country, so i will make a new one with good Plastic material. So if any guy out there can help me with the dimensions like length and width and also the side mounts dimensions, then it would be really helpful for me to make one

EpikYummeh

Gutted cats sound wonderful. If you ever have to reinstall a cat, you'll be sad. I was when I had to install one. Stupid emission laws.

Aston177

Thanks You mean the air filter box and the tray beneath it? Inside the engine bay? I thought you did it from the outside, which is what I was trying to do. I'll give that a shot.

I can measure it for you. But wouldn't it be easier to just patch up the under tray you have? What's wrong with it? Broken or is not there at all? Why not look for a slightly used under tray on eBay?

RX8 pearl red

Yeah, i did that foaming from out side and beneath as well as my under tray was not there.lols

I ordered a new under tray with side uplifts as well already and when i get that one, i will seal the radiator from sides properly because side lifts of that under tray will help me to cover the sides better

RX8 pearl red

Yeah, i hope so, i will remove the CAT and listen to the sound.. if it is dense and a little loud then i will not replace the cat but if that sound is too loud for my sensitive ears then cleaning or replacing is stil an option

Aston177

Update?

Did you start monitoring your temps?

RX8 pearl red

Temps are normal. I bought Cooling fan kit from rx8 performance and the fans blow at full speed at 180f not 207f( factory settings) so temps are no issue

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Fantastic on the temps.

If you have the ability to control the set points, I would suggest 185 for low (when the thermostat opens), and maybe 195 for high.

Although, you will likely have AC on all the time, and that gets you high speed.

But, all in all, a cool RX8 is a happy RX8, and you seem to have a cool RX8.