Stalling and what fixed my 8
12-31-2015, 10:45 AM
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Stalling and what fixed my 8
I'll start by introducing myself as I am new here as well as a proud new rx8 owner. I am excited to be a part of a group of people enthusiastic about these cars. I'll start from the beginning.
I recently purchased a mechanic special rx8 from a Mazda dealership. I bought the car with a little knowledge of rotary engines and the history behind maintenance and upkeep. I had planned on purchasing a car that needed an overhaul or new engine all together.
I trailered the car home and the first order of business was to perform a compression test. I had some glint of hope after the compression test came back within tolerable parameters.
So I relaced coils, wires, and plugs and sure enough the engine fires right up. After driving the car I could tell it seemed low on power and would stall and die when I let it idle. It was throwing codes p0661 and p0259 if I remember correctly.
This lead me to take a further look into the ssv controls. I first did a vacuum test to see if the vacuum was good and there were no leaks. After passing this test the next step I took was tearing the plastic intake part and throttle body off to inspect the ssv diaphragm. A vacuum revealed it to open and close properly so I traced the line to the corresponding solenoid. I removed the selenoid and put a vacuum on it and used a 9v battery to test if it was tripping.
Nothing happened. This lead me to assume the selenoid was bad. 2 days and $52 later a new selenoid confirmed that was indeed the problem. Now it will idle like it should.
That was my experience with the issue and what corrected the problem. I hope this may provide some insight for someone with a similar problem.
I recently purchased a mechanic special rx8 from a Mazda dealership. I bought the car with a little knowledge of rotary engines and the history behind maintenance and upkeep. I had planned on purchasing a car that needed an overhaul or new engine all together.
I trailered the car home and the first order of business was to perform a compression test. I had some glint of hope after the compression test came back within tolerable parameters.
So I relaced coils, wires, and plugs and sure enough the engine fires right up. After driving the car I could tell it seemed low on power and would stall and die when I let it idle. It was throwing codes p0661 and p0259 if I remember correctly.
This lead me to take a further look into the ssv controls. I first did a vacuum test to see if the vacuum was good and there were no leaks. After passing this test the next step I took was tearing the plastic intake part and throttle body off to inspect the ssv diaphragm. A vacuum revealed it to open and close properly so I traced the line to the corresponding solenoid. I removed the selenoid and put a vacuum on it and used a 9v battery to test if it was tripping.
Nothing happened. This lead me to assume the selenoid was bad. 2 days and $52 later a new selenoid confirmed that was indeed the problem. Now it will idle like it should.
That was my experience with the issue and what corrected the problem. I hope this may provide some insight for someone with a similar problem.
12-31-2015, 10:58 AM
#2
Stalling and what fixed my 8
Welcome to the club!
Sounds like you have a good grasp of things. Be sure to read the new and potential owners thread to familiarize yourself with some of the little quirks inherent in the renesis.
What year/ model did you go with? Any plans for it (buying a "mechanic special" hints at a good project in mind
) ?
Sounds like you have a good grasp of things. Be sure to read the new and potential owners thread to familiarize yourself with some of the little quirks inherent in the renesis.
What year/ model did you go with? Any plans for it (buying a "mechanic special" hints at a good project in mind
) ?
12-31-2015, 11:02 AM
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Welcome, and kudos for actually reading and troubleshooting. My buddy flips RX-8's and he has bought a few (for under $2,000.00) from people that were told by mechanics that they had a blown engine only to find out it was an easy fix.
12-31-2015, 11:41 AM
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Don't have much money in the car but it's had some abuse in its life. Going to get the skirts stripped and painted and take it back to its former glory.
12-31-2015, 12:59 PM
#5
I highly recommend selling this car and just purchasing a manual. The cost and headache is not worth it. Just look up forum member "BigBadChris". He toyed with the ideas you're toying with now and actually went through. But the majority of members and him will agree that it would have been easier to do it right the first time...
12-31-2015, 02:23 PM
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This quote gives me a bad feeling...
I highly recommend selling this car and just purchasing a manual. The cost and headache is not worth it. Just look up forum member "BigBadChris". He toyed with the ideas you're toying with now and actually went through. But the majority of members and him will agree that it would have been easier to do it right the first time...
I highly recommend selling this car and just purchasing a manual. The cost and headache is not worth it. Just look up forum member "BigBadChris". He toyed with the ideas you're toying with now and actually went through. But the majority of members and him will agree that it would have been easier to do it right the first time...
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