05 6MT original owner with 52,000 miles, replaced all coils and wires at 40K.

6 months ago started new job 6 miles from house, dramatically decreasing my chances to run the car hard. Before that 6 years of running hard at 40 miles a day.

Now noticing a half second drop in power at 4500 rpm and another drop at 6500-7000 rpm. I have been running the car hard to try and clear the issue which I assume is sticking SSV. So far (2 days worth) it hasnt helped. Sometimes there is no loss of power, but most of the time (80%) there is.

Also, last weeks -10 farenheit here in pittsburgh didnt sit with the 8 too well, had hard start then car ran up to 4,000 rpm for 5 seconds or so before settling down.

No CEL's.

Any advice apprereciated.

 

I noticed the same thing on my 2004 6MT. I have 56k miles on it and have the same weather in Akron as you would in Pittsburgh.

I haven't noticed it when it is warmer (but it may still be there). Does yours still do it with warmer temperatures? Something else I noticed is that below 30*F my car struggles to get to / stay at operating temperature. I have a replacement thermostat ready to go in, as I suspect that is a cause.

Given these two observations I thought they could be linked (engine running rich because it isn't quite at temperature), but that's just my theory. Admittedly I haven't done much searching on here though, as I don't notice it often.

Does your car get to temp and stay there in this cold weather?

 

My 8 maintains temp pretty well. Only variance in full operating temp I see is when its very hot out (>90) and I'm running it 90+

Its been a bit warmer here yesterday and the issue didnt seem any better. I will keep pushing it hard to see if it improves.

 

Reach into your engine bay and check that your SSV moves freely.

 

definitely check that first, if it doesn't move freely then all you have to do is clean the ssv. That is not an easy task though. On the other hand do you hear a loud clatter, almost as if its marbles in a can at higher revs? if so then it's your ssv no actuating properly. My ssv moves freely but because its loose in my intake it causes it to Clatter at higher revs which in turn causes it to not work properly. I can feel when it does its job as apposed to not working right, HUGE difference!

here is the link to the DIY ssv cleaning
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...-video-184663/

 

If I had an SSV problem, wouldnt it throw a CEL? I'm getting half second loss in power at 4500 rpm and again at 6,000-7,000. Once those valves open the power is strong, its just ragged at those RPM levels.

 

I have this problem,power is poor from 4000rpm to 6500rpm but when it hits 6500rpm there is a burst of power.Being giving it spirted runs and flicking the ssv with my hand and after a bit of time it came free,but a light never came on.Must look into getting it cleaned before it happens again.

 

no, if the ssv is not functioning properly would not throw a CEL. I have done a lot of reading about the ssv problems people have been having. None of the forums I have read has anyone reported a CEL with the ssv.

 

The power band you guys are talking about is also where the 2nd set of injectors come on. This could also be fuel pressure related.

Its also possible to inspect the SSV by removing the plastic upper intake. You should be able to move it freely by hand and with a flash light, inspect how blacked up it is. From there, you can get some carb cleaner on it, but there really isn't a good way to remove all the crud other than sending it through the engine to be burnt off.

Or just buck up and remove it to clean it properly.

 

my ssv does move freely, I tested the vacuum as well. All I did today was pull the ssv's vacuum line from the box under the UIM and use my mouth to make it actuate, and it moved flawlessly. The only problem I have with mine is the loud clatter my ssv makes when the engine is at normal operating temp. When its time for the ssv to actuate it can't cause it has put itself in a BIND to where it wont work right. I know for a fact that this is happening.

 

For what it's worth when I had to clean my SSV i thought it wasn't a big deal cause I could move it by hand and actuate it. I gave me a hell of time literally had to create a pulley system out of rope and wheels to get the ****** out because I couldn't get it to unstick the thing was covered in hard carbon and oil junk. Also I did have a intermittent CEL, pretty sure it was P2070 which ever one it was literally stated SSV stuck closed. I also had issues with loosing power after long drives and at high Rpms. My fuel pump was the problem and had been slowly dieing. This is all what I came across and am not saying it's what you have just food for thought.

 

When you got it clean and put back in, did you notice a difference in performance at high revs?? My fuel pump is brand new, only has 8k miles, what I might do is pull what I can of the ssv out with out removing the thermostat and water pump. Then just seeing how gunky it is from there.

 

Update-Since my last post car has run basically the same with intermittent power loss at 4500 rpm and again in upper rpms. However, since the outside air temp has warmed up above 40, the problem is gone. I notice no power loss all the way to 8000 rpms for the last week. If anyone has any thoughts let me know.

THanks

 

This is what you can do to rule out the ssv, just get a long screwdriver of some sort and just move the ssv with it. Usually what I do is come in from the top and behind the strut bar and I can push on the ssv actuator or you can just have a friend rev your car to red line and watch yourself to see if it actuates freely. If so then you shouldn't have any problems with the ssv, and the problem lies elsewhere.