Hi to all,

I'm new both to this site and RX8s so please go easy on me!

I've just bought a 2004 231ps & it’s almost instantly developed a running problem. The car has 62k miles with a full set of service stamps in the book. Car came from auction so no idea on what has been replaced or when.

From cold it starts ok & idles well enough. However there is a bit of a rumble from the engine bay - sounds almost like an aftermarket exhaust but I don't think it is.

Then the hotter it gets the worse it gets. The rumble gets louder and the car won't idle. Very lumpy & when I say lumpy I mean undrivable. Car also seems to get hot quite quickly, but reading other posts on here it seems they are designed to do that. I would say that from stone cold, it will idle for 2-3 minutes before it starts to get lumpy & then shortly after it will cut out completely if you are not on the gas.

I have checked the wire connections on plugs & coils etc & everything seems ok. The car had a P0301 code on the MIL, which I cleared and this has not come back. I have also reset the memory doing the 20x pressing of the brake pedal job. The oil pressure needle did its thing so I assume that this reset itself.

I am aware that the obvious response will be to change plugs & coils etc, but before I pony up for that lot (& knowing my luck not solve the problem!) I thought I would see if anyone had any other suggestions as I have basically run out of ideas.

Therefore I open up the floor for ridicule (& hopefully a little sound advice!)

Cheers

 

Hum....

Anyway, have you check your motor mounts?
In the future, stay under 3k rpm (some would say 4k) before the car warms up.

 

RIP Engine

 

I video clip of this "rumbling" sound might help out more.

What are you judging this from and please don't say, "I put my hand out over the engine at its hot".

Have you had a compression test done?
When you give it gas, does the engine sound "rough"?
If you drive it above 7K RPM, do you feel a noticeable power loss or does the CEL flash?

The just resets the NVRAM (eshaft profile).
While its good to reset it, you should first clean the sensor THEN reset it.

Thats because many people on this forum don't take the time to troubleshoot (or lack the ability).
Its always easy for someone to suggest you spend money on random components since its not their money lost.
And its actually gotten worse this year... probably because the cost of an 8 has gone down so we'll see more unexperienced kids around.
You'll read more threads where members say, "buy this, then if that doesn't work buy this, then if that doesn't work buy this..." instead of taking the time to narrow it down with you.

Don't worry about it... most of the time its by individuals who don't know better themselves.

 

Hi Folks,

Bit of an update.

I've pulled the car to bits (a bit!) and have checked coils and HT leads & plugs etc. All seem nearly new and this has been confirmed by a pal of mine who has just changed the coils on his. Tested the resistance on the coil packs & they passed as per the advised limits. The plugs have a heavy black deposit on them - I'm putting that down at this stage to it running like a bag of hammers.

I went to clean the eshaft sensor & found that the front oil seal (behind the main drive pulley) is leaking & as a result the entire area was in a poor state. The sensor was covered in oil & other deposits. I've cleaned it & tested the resistance (passed ok) but have yet to fit it back yet as.....

I can't get in to change the oil seal! I have managed to remove the pulleys from the eshaft, but am struggling to get the big centre nut cracked so I can change the seal. Does anyone have any tips on getting this off? I've tried putting it in gear & this doesnt work. Also taken the starter out to try & clamp the flywheel but this is proving difficult. Does anyone know if the bolt has a normal thread or is it left handed?

Also, would this sensor giving a poor signal not make the car difficult to start as opposed to making it run rough once warmed up?

Any (constructive!) advice well received!

Cheers,

Andy

 

ooohhh dirty eshaft sensor can make your life horrible. ...

I've not changed the front seal however, maybe this might help

http://www.blackhaloracing.com/shopmanual/

I had a quick look but couldn't find anything, maybe you'll have better luck