New owner - needs help with SSV issue

[Snidepumpkin3]

Hi

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I'm new to this forum and it's very different to the cupra forum I was used to before....

Anyway, I have a issue with my 2004 rx8 ( 231 ) when it gets warm I suffer a lack of power from around 4k to 7k ( ish ) and then it goes back to normal when restarted and cold.. after talking to a rotary specialist, they suspect it to be the SSV/valve solenoid.

What I need help with, is what is the correct part to buy, and how easy is it to replace ? Luckily I work in the motor trade and understand cars and can do stuff myself + have people that are far better than me as mechanics to help, but I still feel so uneducated with the rotary side of motoring

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

[ChrisHolmes]

The solenoid is at the back underneath the upper inlet manifold fitted as part of a bank of three solenoids and is a pig to get at even when you know what you are feeling for.
Just follow the vacuum line from the SSV actuator.
If you join as a member then you will get access to the whole technical database and FAQs, manuals etc. As a new member you will probably be advised of the quick links to the information you are seeking.

[Shagrington]

Hi and Snidepumpkin3. Sorry, I'm not one of the many we have here who will be able to answer your question.

[Snidepumpkin3]

Yeah, I've seen some videos of how to get to it, and it doesn't look too pleasant, the issue I'm having is sorting the correct part to replace it with, any heads up in the right direction would be great, cheers !

[New Duke]

Mazda will want £100 plus VAT for a new one.

This is what you want:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-RX8-RX ... 635-2958-0

It's a pig of a job. Good luck.

[350matt]

to be honest before you replace the solenoid I'd just swap it for the upper one
as the SSV is the middle solenoid ( white plug) and the upper blue plug item is for the exhaust secondary air valve which is barely used
they are completly interchangable
and remove the upper plastic inlet manifold as one item to do it, then its easy
just go easy on levering up the plastic clip that holds the solenoid to the manifod, as they tend to snap easily

[Snidepumpkin3]

Cheers guys, will let you know how it goes once its done !

[Steve.82]

I found both the bottom ones failed on mine, VDI as well. No wonder it was gutless up top. Fitted some cheap knockoff K5T49090’s. They look the same. Coil resistance is 35ohms vs the 40ohms of the one that does still work. Now can’t test as found a dirty great crack in the rear disc, but if they work ok they’re £14 new…

[Steve.82]

There were reports of alternative solenoids "working" but triggering a CEL as the circuit test is sensitive to the resistance.

Sent from my Samsung using Tapatalk

[Steve.82]

There were reports of alternative solenoids "working" but triggering a CEL as the circuit test is sensitive to the resistance.

Sent from my Samsung using Tapatalk

Been ok on startup and shuffling around, but not enough revs to activate either. Maybe it monitors current when they’re active? Will see what they do…

[Phil Bate]

It measures the voltage drop both when they are on and off, fingers crossed!

[Steve.82]

One tank in, numerous heat cycles, no CEL

[Snidepumpkin3]

Forgot to update...

After getting the car on a ramp at work and looking at it, decided to get a rotary specialist in Chelsfield to do it for me, car is running great now finally, Using more fuel than ever now !!

On a separate note, I've owned much faster cars than the this before, and driven other faster cars aswell, but the rx8 has given me more enjoyment than all of them. Really enjoying old school driving again

[hachiroku]

Glad you got it sorted.
Was it just the one solenoid that had gone?
Fortunately the only bit on these cars that is different to most others is the engine, the ancillaries etc are all much of a muchness, so unless you have an internal engine issue then they're not too difficult to work on
And also fortunately, the engine is probably the best thing about the car , I was out in mine yesterday, and the smoothness of it and the 9,000rpm redline always makes me smile, despite not being the most powerful of cars.

[Snidepumpkin3]

I'm not one for messing around and labour wise is the same for one or two, so they did both... for the sake of 100 quid, would of rathered it done over getting it back in again.

Yeah after having a cupra 280/300 for 6 odd years with DSG, I am loving manual normally aspirated high rpm driving again. Its a lot slower and higher maintenance but so much more enjoyable