So I went out to the movies today and on the way home my car started shacking and then the check engine light came on. It wouldn't let me accelerate and then eventually just died. I had to pull over stop for a few minutes and turn it back home like 4 times before I finally made it home. Also there was this smell of like oil burning. I have a 04 rx8 with 69k miles. Just bought it 6 months ago.

From what I have read on the forums it is 1 of 3 things.
A) Your coils are shot (30,000 mile life on them)
B) Your plugs are shot (30,000 mile life on them, can fail if your coils do)
C) Your cat is shot (life depends on how often the above fail, them failing accelerates it, although even if they are perfect it might not last to the 80k warranty)

Any suggestions?

 

could be your engine is shot too.

 

Just a ray of sunshine


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Good luck with your engine!

Pull the plugs and check them... Post pictures if you can

You still have your engine warranty

 

Get the code read, but you're most likely on the right track!
Don't over look the plug wires.
There's info on how to check the coils at http://www.finishlineperformance.com...16-07-1793.pdf

 

I think its a good thing, cuz new engine = awesome

 

first all, find a ecu scanner and check code

 

I went and got it scanned today and it was P0301-

Definition,
Cylinder 1 misfire condition detected
Probable cause
Lean Air/Fuel Ratio
Weak ignition System
Engine mechanical condition
Vacuum leak affecting one cylinder

Also after I finally made it over to Autozone to get the scanner, I couldn't get my car started back up. So now I have two options. Either A. Pull and replace the spark plugs and hope thats the problem or B. Tow it the Dealership and have them check it out.

 

You don't know the history of the car so start with plugs, coils and wires. It's about an hour project with a buddy. The dealer will charge you $600 or more.

 

If its a misfire id get it to a dealer asap. Get it started if possible and then head straight to a dealer.

 

this happened to me...this exact same thing...i bought coils wires and plugs...problem solved runs better than ever..have you also been noticing a hiccup at idle? i did prior to mine messing up...find parts cheap on this forum...bought mine from mazmart

 

I can't get it started so I am getting it towed back to my house in about 45 minutes. I figure I can at least change the spark plugs and see if that gets me anywhere tomorrow and see if that gets me anywhere. That might cut the price on what the dealership would charge me.

 

Yes i did Xander, when it would be idling it would just feel like it was going to die for a second and then go back to normal. Also what do you guys think about buying "used" parts from Mazmart?

 

well i have only dealt with them once...my coils were used..no problems...also my stuff got shipped pretty quickly...it didnt take me long to do the work....also..once everything was done i needed a new cat.which was under warranty...it will throw a code if its shot i would think

 

Well my car actually started right as the tow guy got there and I was able to drive it home. But when I got out of my car I looked under and the Cat was glowing bright red. So I guess I have to take it in and get it fixed. I don't have a warranty on the car so any idea how much this going to cost me? Also any reason why this happened, was I not driving it hard enough or even driving it too hard? Any information would help.

 

I think CAT is under warranty up to 8 years/80,000 miles so you still cover then!

 

Are you sure? that would be awesome!

 

So I took it to the shop and they said it was the coils, replaced them ($351 + 109 for finding out + 20 oil change Total bill was $480.00). The car felt amazing driving home. But when I got home I still looked under and the cat still had a glowing red look to it around the o2 sensor...

They said they checked the cat and said it passed all tests. Any ideas?

 

air filter dirty?
might be the plugs.
usually hot cat means unburnt fuel

 

when it was misfiring and you were trying to start it unburned fuel got pushed into the CAT where it burned up causing the cat to glow red. this will eventually cause your cat to plug and fail. quite often the check done at the dealership is to see if there is a cat code stored. quite often there isn't one even thought the cat has already failed. eventually after banging your head against the wall for months a smart tech will pull the cat down and pieces will fall out- then they will order your new cat.

 

^.............+1. It may eventually throw a code, but it sounds like it's on it's way out.
Like Zoom says, you need to have it unbolted and see if the honeycomb is still intact or in pieces.
Also, it is under warranty 8 years/80k miles, the dealer should do it for free.