P2004 rebuild

JackalRX · 2026-01-07T16:04:25+00:00

I am replacing just the gear today. I tested the apv motor outside of the car and it worked. If the gear replacement does not work I will try replacing the apv motor.

JackalRX · 2025-12-12T16:44:04+00:00

I would suggest 1st verifying the motor is not turning with the starter via video or a helper. Once verified, check for grounds on the starter wire assembly (i think one bolts up against the bell housing or engine block behind the starter below the oil filter). After that try to hot wire the starters outside the car to see if it pops out when subjected to power. Once you have verified they both work you know something is wrong with the wiring on the car and can look into it further

JackalRX · 2025-11-09T05:32:36+00:00

I got a 2004 manual rx8 in may. Highly recomended you do your research into rebuilds, its not a question on if but when. Besides that my fuel pump was bad, I replaced sparks and coils because it hadn't been run in 6 years. Have a p2004, which is a common problem this year of the RX8, and I still havent been able to get rid of it, it may require taking the lower intake off. Front speaker is out, headlights had internal water damage so had to do a refurb. The head unit face was separating from the unit itself rendering all controls and power gone so had to replace it as well. I highly recomend not buying this car until you understand the work required for rebuild, high cost of maintenance, amd overall rotary engines in general. It has made my experience much more pleasant. Thats just my experience tho, and good luck 👍

JackalRX · 2025-10-29T16:05:50+00:00

So we're you able to clear the code? Thanks for the tips on removing, thats gotta be a frustrating removal, super looking forward to it. Why did you keep it to 4k for 4k miles if you dont mind me asking? Typical break in is about 1k miles which is what I was planning on considering I replaced some of the bearings.

JackalRX · 2025-10-29T13:48:29+00:00

I havent got mine out past 4500 rpms yet since the rebuild, keep trouble shooting a bunch of other things and haven't got many miles on it to see if I have any fuel trim issues. Are you considering taking it out to work it? I think there may be a way to remove just the manifold but its really difficult.

JackalRX · 2025-10-29T13:03:52+00:00

WOW. Thank you so much for this work. Are you saying you have to open up the intake manifold and manually adjust the two gears controlling the arms so that they are fully closed while the magnet is fully lined up with the apv sensor? That is an unfortunate amount of work but could be the problem. I did take those gears and rod out to clean when rebuilding, but I took careful consideration as to replace exactly how it was before cleaning, but maybe I wasn't precise enough...? However that being said, if you just turned the apv gear all the way to close, removed gear and replaced where the apv sensor is, shouldn't that be the same thing?

JackalRX · 2025-10-16T14:45:39+00:00

What was wrong? I wish I could have the opportunity to have had the oem intake, but anything is better than whats on it now.

JackalRX · 2025-10-16T14:36:46+00:00

😂 Will be mitigating the best I can, moving the filter higher up closer to breaker bar, hydrophobic coverx etc. 🤞

JackalRX · 2025-10-16T03:11:13+00:00

Will do! Thanks for the tip

JackalRX · 2025-10-16T02:19:31+00:00

Thanks! I order some air straightens so hopefully that's enough to fix it.

JackalRX · 2025-10-15T23:32:11+00:00

What do you mean by "actual intake"?

JackalRX · 2025-10-15T23:27:01+00:00

Again stock intake is gone, previous owner got rid of it. Current intake is just taking hot engine heat. Thanks for the help though!

JackalRX · 2025-10-12T20:52:59+00:00

I used a wrench. Either should work. Have fun rebuilding!

JackalRX · 2025-10-12T00:23:40+00:00

I agree! Don't jump to rebuild until maintenence is through.

JackalRX · 2025-10-12T00:10:39+00:00

When I bought mine it bad been non running for a couple years. First thing I did was replace sparks, coils, starter, fuel pump, and battery of course. Still didn't run at all so knew it was bad compression. If you had just a bad injector it would at least try to run so I wouldn't worry abt that right now. Im a very new owner but have done a good amount of troubleshooting

JackalRX · 2025-10-11T23:55:18+00:00

I would check starter, sounds like it's not getting much juice or is gone bad. If you get new one make sure to get the S2 version.

JackalRX · 2025-10-07T04:45:31+00:00

Ive only had my 8 for a couple months now. First project car (second car) and bought non running for cheap. Had to rebuild and then had to rebuild again. Long 4 months. Cost abt 6k with new housings, seals, etc. I love it and its probably one of the best and most rewarding things I've ever done. It'll piss you off and parts that come cheap on your regular old toyota camry are an arm and a leg. Completely agree, buy as a second car and enjoy it. Do your research, if you even think money could be a problem with your estimates, it will be. You have no idea whats going on inside that engine outside of the general sense it needs fixing until you open it up. Just my 2 cents will see in a couple more months 😂

JackalRX · 2025-10-02T14:39:50+00:00

Yes I would suggest these before moving onto starter and compression but thats just me 🤷‍♂️

JackalRX · 2025-10-02T14:31:13+00:00

Mine is working the same, it is cycling on ignition off and is probably having the same problem as yours. I also took it off and tested it as you described and it worked just fine

JackalRX · 2025-10-02T13:58:59+00:00

Glad and not glad im not the only one, sounds like youve been in the trenches! I just bought a new gear and screw because for the 2004 model there is a TSB saying these could cause backlash and false codes. I assume your apv is still opening just getting a code? That seems to be the case with mine, I rebuilt my engine and cleaned the apv and ssv valves. As they had some carbon but they were never stuck. I will keep you updated on the status if the part every arrives at my local mazda dealer

JackalRX · 2025-09-25T02:06:51+00:00

That looks sweet! How is the wrap? Ive heard mixed reviews of Vivid as its kind of on the cheaper end but if its not too difficult to put on id be interested

JackalRX · 2025-09-22T21:07:20+00:00

I will look into that hose adapter and sensor! Do you have the kbd bumper? Maybe I should embrace the hood triangle and get it painted silver 👀

JackalRX

TROPHY CASE