I am brand new to this forum thing and need help. Got a 2004 RX-8, one of the first, with very few problems until recently. I've been to so many different dealerships for so many problems only for them to tell me that nothing is wrong with the car. All the major recalls were done and it was found that I need no engine replacement. I recently had the mazdaspeed bumper installed and the car ran great for about a week. Then one morning, it all of a sudden makes a low pitched growling noise when I accelerate. Almost sounds like I have an aftermarket intake. It feels more sluggish and I have to be in a lower gear or two to make it up the same hill I take going home everyday. There was also slight studdering and poor throttle response. I get 1.5 MPG less than the previous week. Couldn't figure out the problem so I took it to the dealership and they told me nothing was wrong with the car except the engine mounts needed to be replaced. I am out of the original warranty but still have the extended powertrain warranty so that was covered. The only thing that seems different now is the studdering isn't there anymore.

So I still get bad mileage, bad throttle response, and have problems with power. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am gonna try going to a different dealership and see what happens, but if there is something I can check beforehand I want to try it first.

Help, please!

 

Clogged CAt Converter

 

How do I go about cleaning the clog? Just take it off and check it?

 

Nope. Sounds like you still have your original CAT and its dying.

Is there any CELs ? (Check Engine Light) Cuz if its Clogged cat most likely you will get a *Air System Problem* kind of CEL(like me)

Go to a dealership tell them that you have HUGE lost of power, and suggest them to check the CAT. Also check the Ignition Coil Packs (all 4)

Its easy for them to check since all they have to do is to lift your cat, take a few bolts down and *look*.

 

trollariffic..

beers

 

There was no check engine light and the dealership claims nothing is wrong with the car. They didn't even want to send out a factory rep to look at it. I know the last factory rep stated a bunch of things was normal on the car and I then found bulletins that stated some of the stuff should have been replaced. So I don't know how much a factory rep would help. At least then I can send Mazda a nasty letter letting them know that their reps don't know what they are doing. But I drive this car everyday and who would no better than me that something is definitely wrong with the vehicle. I also forgot to state that the car only drives funny at lower RPMs, but still it never had this problem. It just all of a sudden started happening literally in one day. So it wasn't gradual. I have heard from friends to try out the Cerritos dealership and see if they are better at finding out problems. I guess I will have to wait to see what they can find out.

 

Have you checked your plugs and wires. If your plugs are dirty that can affect your performance. If your wires are starting to degrade you would see stuttering at light throttle but it would then firm up at full throttle.

 

I will try everything you guys mention. Just want the car to run the way it was before. Just want to re-state that the car is making a funny growling noise also. It never did that before when it ran normal.