To all you RX8 lovers...

I have an RX8 Kuro edition 2007 model with 37k on the clock. I have always serviced the car at my local Mazda dealer. This years service incorporated replacement of all 4 spark plugs.

Since the service I have been experiencing a number of issues...

- NSF wheel smoking and red hot when driving 60MPH+ (i replaced the caliper and discs thinking the caliper was seizing)
- Heat coming from front wheels
- feels like there is a brake on one of the wheels (can no longer coast as nuch)
- choking when starting up (revving)
- difficulty starting motor from cold and hot
- when moving between lower gears the car judders
- when in traffic driving in 1st or 2nd gear the car judders
- no longer a smooth drive / performance
- steering feels heavy and veers towards the left
- engine cuts out easily

I love the car but as you an see im experiencing a number of issues with it which is affecting the cars performance and is no longer fun to drive. Any advice you have will be greatly appreciated before i have to take it to Mazda and spend a fortune. They have already informed me it will cost GBP 106 for diagnosis and GBP 100 for a compression test - all before any work is carried out on it!

Thanks,
KC

 

Did this all start immediately after the service?

Sounds like a number of issues

Are you sure they put the plug wires on the correct plug? Correct plugs?

Check the front wheel bearings....

 

thanks for your message. Some of these issues were there prior to the service.

Given it was Mazda themselves that carried out the service, i would expect them to have used the right parts and installed them correctly.

i rang an independent rx8 specialist earlier and he advised that t was possible the coil packs that need replacing, usually every 35k. When I rang Mazda to verify this, they confirmed Mazda do not incorporate the replacement of coil packs as part of the standard service history. They also mentioned a guy had brought his car in today and is spending GBP 1500 on new coil packs and catalytic converter.

Im trying to get an idea of what could be causing my car to perform this way...

 

I would replace the coils and wires if they are Original. They are a known weakpoint and check the wire routing when you do..

That could eaaily cause rhe low power and driveability issues. It could also be compression.

The heat from the front wheel hub area could be a bearing. ..or brake related. It is easy to tell which it is if you jack it up and back the brake pads off a bit...and turn the wheel.

The CAT can also be an issue if the car has been misfiring for a while...ie the intermittent flashing CEL

If you cant do this yourself you need to find someone that you can trust...if it isn't the dealer find a good rotary guy and build a relationship

I would suggest reading the stickies in the troubleshooting and new member areas. They have a lot of good info

 

thanks for the advice.

The specialist guy also mentioned CAT. Can you elaborate a little more on what that is please?

He reckons he can replace the 4x coils supplied and fitted for GBP 100. Is that reasonable? It seems odd given that the parts come up to GBP 340 else where.

 

CAT, is a shorter term for Catalytic Converter. A catalytic converter is a device that Uses a catalyst to convert 3 harmful gases to not harmful gases.

Hydrocarbons-Turns to Carbon Dioxide and water
Carbon monoxide -Turns to Carbon Dioxide
Nitrogen oxides -Turns to nitrogen and Oxygen

Old and faulty ignition leaves unburt fuel flow into the CAT and degrade that catalyst. The catalyst breaks down and clogs the rest of the CAT. This in turn pushes more heat, Exhaust gas and pressure back to the engine, which in turn Kills your Renny.


Hope that helps.

Travis.

 

thats great - thanks for your help