Hi guys, I normally dont post threads but I just had a major issue with my 8, I was hoping to get some input. I was driving my car today and noticed loss of power when I was under 2500rpm, it was driving ok as long as I kept it over 3000rpm.
Just a little later, I was down shifting from 5th to 4th, and lost significant amount of power, then the check engine light came on, the engine regained power again, then it would lose it for a little bit, back and fourth.
I stopped by my work for about 2 hours, then took the vehicle straight to the dealership which is about 10 minute drive from where I was, the car idled horribly,
felt like it was running on half the hp and by the time my car got to the dealer, it was smoking under the hood.
Unfortunately the service was already closed so I had to leave the car there.
Have anyone experienced anything like this with your 8? if so how was it resolved? any input would be appreciated!!!

 

Sounds like you might begetting a new Engine.

 

See: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...14-08-1924.pdf

Print out this service bulletin and take it with you to the shop. You should also ask for the MSP16 procedure which includes a PCM update.

 

smoking under the engine....???/ Did you check your coolant levels?....

For what you are describing, it doesn't sound good.....keep us posted...

 

Thanks for the info guys, they said it was bad coils and spark plug wires, they also did the recall MSP16, cost me $425 but I guess it could have been lots worse!

 

Great call by the way on the MSP16 recall Go48! that was the first thing the service manager brought up when I talked to him!

 

I guess your car is out of warranty?

 

would bad coils and wires throw out smoke?

 

a bridged plug in one rotor could make the engine run like hell I'm sure, I just hope your problem went away completely, between new plugs and a seafoam treatment... Should help you out bigtime so long as the seals are intact.

 

Yeah, I am way past my warranty, my 04 has lil over 66500 miles right now

 

Coils shouldnt make ur car smoke.

Unless there is a serious leak.

Most likely ur coolant overheated.

but meh, if it works now. its fine.

 

Gentlemen,

Thanks for all the posting and let me share my experience. I have a 2004 Velocity Red GT MT with a little over 67k miles. Today at 92 F weather I was on the interstate when I felt my car choke. The loss of power was insane, at low RPM the car sounded like a bad Civic.
I would downshift to get power to avoid been ran over by trucks and the engine light would come on, than off, than blink, than off. Once I got off the interstate I noticed some smoke and a strange smell inside my car. I couldn't tell what it was, but the smoke seemed to be coming from behind the dip stick under the body (probably enginer). The temperature gauge was at normal levels thru this entire ordeal. I stayed there for 10 mins waiting for the smoke to go away, got back into my car and attempted to drive home since it was only 5 miles away. At first the car was choking, but then out of nowhere performed like a champ. Got home turned the car off inside the garage, waited 30 mins and turned the car on again. with the garage door closed I noticed a strong smell of gasoline that burnt my eyes.

I have done all the recall, including what it seems to be the MSP 16. The car had spark plugs replace around 17 K on a recall.

It sounds like the same issue, but I would appreciate a bit more information.

 

Might be clogged catalytic converter.

 

could also be your oil filter was not screwed on properly and is leaking. Did you recently get your oil changed?

 

Pull the codes associated with the CEL. That may lead you in the right direction. You need an OBDII, CANbus-compatible scanner to do that. Sounds like the car went into limp mode due to some sort of malfuntion the ECU picked up. Smoke in that area is a bit strange. Are you sure it was smoke vs. steam?

BTW, in case you are not aware, the temp & oil pressure gauges in this car are essentially idiot gauges. The ECU looks at those numbers and as long as they are in an "acceptible" range, as defined by Mazda, the needles don't move. And the ranges are quite large. So you could have conceivably had an overheating problem and it might not show up in the idiot gauges.

 

Once again, thanks for all the input. Go48 I am positive it was smoke, it was black and it wasn't burning my hand. It had a weird smell that at first I thought was plastic but wasn't so sure. I am actually almost due for an oil change so no, oil wasn't replaced recently and I haven't seen any leaks on my garage floor. Also, thanks for the info on the gauges.

I was inclined to think my air box was plugged, or catalytic converter was bad, or even ignition system was failing, but intrigues me that after all the ordeal I was able to drive it for 5 miles without a single hitch. Could it be a bad ECU (PCM)?

Should I take the car to Mazda so they can plug it in at $88.00 or is there another place such as Autozone, Advance Auto, that will do the same reading for less or for free?

 

Go to AutoZone or any major auto parts store, they will check your code for free. If you would post your location, there might be fellow RX-8 Club members that would come to your aid.

 

As far as your warranty goes, Mazda has recently extended the warranty on core engine components to 8 years/100K miles. So if the problem is an internal engine failure, Mazda should make it good with a new core engine.

 

Go48, is such information available anywhere on the web? It would be nice to show up there with all my ducks in a roll. Bastage I am in Mooresville, NC (Charlotte area). Any help is much appreciated.

 

Yeah it's stickied at the top of this section of the forum.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/8-years-100-000-mi-extended-warranty-147287/

 

mmmm . . . . ducks in a roll.

 

I had the opportunity to lift the car this morning and found the reason for the black smoke. electrical tape melted and some were stuck to the catalytic converter. It also melted the plastic clip that holds a sensor that goes inside the catalytic converter. I am starting to suspect the catalytic converter or something on my exhaust system is bad.
I guess I could mention that about 2 months ago I had my clutch replaced and I know from the pictures that all the under mount including the exhaust system were taken out and put back together. what are the odds something got damaged then?
after trying to start the car this morning I had a huge back up on the exhaust and sounded like fire works.

 

I had similar problems with mine a lil while back with 62k miles. Particles started comin out the pipe then it wouldnt run. the mazda dealership looked at it. I ended up with a new motor, exhaust, ecu upgraded to 09. Im a very happy rotorist!I just bought the car too, and this happened like two weeks later. Oh yeah it didnt cost me nothing

 

I finally took the car to Mazda and after plugging into the diagnostics machine they are saying all I have is a bad Oxygen Sensor. It seems like the connector got hit a rock or something, broke off and layed on top of the exhaust pipe which melted the connector. Mazda wants $850 to fix it which sounds crazy to me. I have found O2 sensors online for as little as $28.00. Would anyone recommend a non OEM part?

Thanks for the support and if anyone lives around Mooresville, NC and is interested in looking at the car please let me know.

 

no.

beers