Guys,

I'm really in a bind here. For the last 4-5 months my 8 has been running like crap. It's got some severe power loss issues. I took it in, and of course, "It's running like a top," until I got it home. I've driven it gently, and hard. The problem is consistently reproduced.

When cold started, it starts up just fine, and without any hesitation. If I let it warm up, and take off it runs great until I get to a stop light. Then the idle falls just below 1k instead of sitting on it. With revving, and acceleration I lose about 60-70% of my power. Warm starts feel like the battery is almost dead, and it takes a few cycles to turn over. Also, it's not stalled once yet; however, the problem is consistent.

I've tried to search, and I can not find a single thread with my same problems. I've cleaned the MAF, IAT, Throttle body, and airbox to throttle body Hose with some noticeable performance boost. I also cleaned the ESS and did the reset today, but the problem is still there. I don't think It's the cat because the exhaust is coming out fine, there's no smell, and the cat isn't glowing after a hard drive.

Edit: When I took it in, Mazda told me that the coils and plugs were showing slight signs of wear, but seemed to be in decent working condition.
Edit: When I step on it during power loss it throws me misfire engine lights. They blink, but they turn off. It's been doing this for a while.
Edit: Car has been flooded, and de-flooded twice since I had the Coils/Plugs changed at Mazda.
Edit: No vacuum leaks.
Edit: Prior to both floods, Mazda had replaced my Battery, Plugs, and Wires, but not the coils.

What am I left with?

 

I managed to get a free wrench hour at my local Mazda since they couldn't find the problem last time, so now I'll use it for a compression check this Monday. I'm really hoping it's not engine failure. I am definitely out of warranty, and definitely broke.

 

compression test first. check the coils second. i used a timing light for mine. the wires can be checked with a voltmeter (if you're poor, rich guys just replace them)

 

Try seafoam first, then compression test.

 

Where can I buy this mythical product? I don't think Mazda is open tomorrow.

Autozone?

 

Timing light? Sounds like a lot of work, haha. I'll probably get around to this after my compression test on Monday. I have a feeling it may be the coils...

 

Hmm misfires and power loss... I'd replace the coils first and compression test second.

 

Any auto parts store should carry it... Even walmart sells it.

I would go with the free compression test then coils if compression comes back ok.

 

Yeah, that was the plan. Thanks a bunch. I wasn't really sure what the hell else I could fix at this point. I'll let you guys know if I need a new engine or not.

oh, I read somewhere that Coil change goes hand in hand with Plug? or Wire change? What all should I be changing together on that deal?

 

I would change them all together.

 

why change parta if its good?

its easy to test coils, do it old skool way, buy a tester for a bux that looks like a spark plug, and search for how to use it online. very easy

but honestly the original coil was complete crap and yes they crap out fast, to now revision C, which we dont havev much info yet, but A and B.has worked well over the years so C should work fine as it came with the last rx8 model aka spirit r and superceeded all prior revision.

 

I had two B's die on me with less than 2k miles

Never tested them (Mazda said they were bad) but the second I put on the bhr's the random hard starts went away.

 

**** luck i say

mazda told u? hmmmmmmmmmmm their test method is just wrong. and i wouldnt be suprised they threw completely good stuff away for no reason...

 

if opening the hood and moving the timing light pickup 4 times is a lot of work, then you should just call a taxi.

checking the coils should take under 10 minutes.

in fact changing the whole ignition system is about a half hour job, its hardly work

 

That's the only kind of luck I have!

 

If your Mazda dealer can't diagnose the problem, go to a different one. It's silly – and often a waste of time and money – to try and diagnose the problem yourself. Unless you're a rotary mechanic with proper equipment.

 

I meant finding the reader, learning how to use it, etc. Not the actual act :P

 

Agreed. I've been told a few times in my life not to go skydiving.

 

lmao!

 

Did the Seafoam. Smoked up the entire block, but no one flipped out haha. Although I got very noticeable performance increases, and it's definitely not as bad now; unfortunately, the problem is still there. If it's not engine failure, i'm thinking it's definitely related to the coils...

TL;DR: I'm at 40-50% power loss when the car gets hot after doing most of the DIY's here, possible compression failure. The only other thing it seems it could be is coils. Haven't checked CAT, or fuel pump. Coils will be checked Monday, because I got paid finally.

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll keep you guys updated soon as I know what's up.

 

C coils are now being sold in Australia J..

But I have not had a look at one yet, I am 99.99999% certain they look identical, will have a C stamped on the side of black coil body, but the INSIDE is where it is at..

 

I can order new ones from Japan, but they cost quite a lot. and MNAO still selling B

 

It's compression loss.

Wanted to thank everyone for the helpful sugguestions, and motivating me to get out and learn how to work on it. I plan to get a new engine soonish.