Previous owner problems…

[Andy____]

Car failed on emissions badly, something like 50x allowable. (See photos).
https://photos.app.goo.gl/UiZC5bMn1ci7L216A

There’s some photos above.
The plugs are in the position they are on the car. (ie top left plug is top left, etc).

2 plugs are in the wrong positions.

#1. Is there any reason / upgrade that would mean you would swap the plug positions (I assume not). I have not checked wire routing, but the top 2 plug leads had green and blue bands on them.

What damage has been done ?

New coils and plugs, or just put them in the correct cylinder.
I’m pretty sure my cats f*%led as the exhaust rattles.

Any ideas appreciated, I’ve got 10 days to fix and retest it before I have to pay again.
It’s an 2005 uk 5 speed (193 I think it’s called?)

To try and clear emissions the garage had me drive hard for a few minutes. Redline in every gear. No engine knocking etc.

Thanks for any help!!!

[qwakers]

New cat from Ryan rotary performance or Mazda rotary parts, new plugs leads and coils, also from either the above and see where you are with that. It does sound like the cat is toast and the primary cause of that is a faulty ignition system.

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi Andy & to the RX-8OC

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[Andy____]

I’m not really in a situation to be able to spend much more right now. Misses is already not happy that I bought it.
The plugs look ok, the leads were all around 2.4K ohms, I’m checking the coils tomorrow, I’m suspecting the front o2 sensor, it’s too rich all the time.
Found this, thought I’d post it.
Someone repost and host it, it needs to be google-able.

Rx8 coil test.pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-XBVFH ... p=drivesdk

[warpc0il]

That document is already included in our vast technical library, available to all RX8OC Members.
viewforum.php?f=58

[Andy____]

I get this when I click your link;

You do not have the required permissions to view or read topics within this forum.

I can’t afford to pay to join the club.
I can’t afford new parts, until it’s necessary.
Basic info like this should be available to owners who google it.

[GreySilver Beast]

It costs £31* to join the OC, https://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/members ... Select.php
which is less than half a tank of fuel, or one spark plug.

If you really can't afford that then you definitely bought the wrong car.

While this may sound harsh it's a reality that even a good one is a money-pit, and it doesn't sound like you have a particularity good one.

*£26 pa to renew

[Cscameron]

My 192 failed emissions at what looks like similar levels to you a couple of months ago. She needed a bit of everything done all at once and as I was on a budget and wasn’t prepared to scrimp on the more important parts (discs, pads, suspension, plugs) I went for a £150 fleabay special cat. Probably not the most popular or best option but I bought it just to get her through knowing it probably won’t last long and I am going to replace/decat in the not to distant future anyway

As for coils and plugs fingers crossed for you they’re ok but it’s really not worth the risk IMO. Might be worth asking if anyone’s got a decent used/unrequired set gathering dust they could sell you to save you a few pennies. Much safer to ask the lovely people (trying to butter them up just in case it helps ) on this forum than to risk buying cheap and cheerful online

As warpc0il suggest the best thing to do for a Rex is sort membership on her. Best decision I made - after buying her of course!

[Ollie]

Basic info like this should be available to owners who google it.

It probably is about on the US forums. But they have a lot less access to things than we do so their official Mazda stuff tends to be sparse and random alot of the times.

Access to that information is given to us by Mazda due to warpc0il once working for Ford. Its a privilege that we have access to the entire wealth of knowledge and is a huge benefit of joining the club.

As has been said, RX8s are a money pit even a good one... Fuel cost and tax can and does actually make the difference between people keeping it or moving it along.

Although you can't currently afford parts, you can purchase a Japspeed or similar £200~ hiflow cat that will pass an MOT. But if the rest of the ignition system isn't up to scartch then this could just be solving one thing and not the entire issue.

[HarSc]

It really is a tough call, as the ignition system to an RX-8 is a place not to skimp as it will not be kind to your engine, or your cat, as you have likely found. It's expensive too - but it's a sports car and comes with the territory of running one.

If you go OEM Rev C coils or RRP MK3, NGK sparks and magnecor leads, you'd be looking at ~300 for coils, 80-100 for plugs and ~70 for leads, and getting a hi-flow cat is probably just over 200 as said. These are the parts that most will run, as they are quality and will work (as long as bought from reputable suppliers) for a long time to come.

As Warpc0il has said, it's not a car to take lightly, as it does need maintenance and care - and buy cheap buy twice has never been more true than with parts for an RX-8. The cost of entry to buy the car is so low (generally), but it doesn't mean they're kind to the wallet to run and this is well known - they are often money-pits. Tax, fuel, and general maintenance items as time goes on are not insignificant. There may be someone who has spares that can help you out, as suggested by Cscameron, but it's something to keep eyes open with for future

Hope you can get it sorted