Mazda RX8

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Discussion

hopperty

Original Poster:

14 posts

173 months

Wednesday 5th May 2010
quotequote all
Hi Ive just bought a Mazda RX8 231 ps 2004. Ive managed to flood it at least 4 times since \i bought it on Sat! Ive read some of the comments on PH's and just wanted to verify Ive got it right. To avoid flooding I should rev upto 4k before switching off if im on a brief start stop journey...and if I do flood it I should put the acc peddle to floor as I have a cutoff to the fuel telling the car it has flooded so it wont inject further fuel when I turn key. Have I got it? anyone? I really love this car. I had a Hyundai coupe se b4 this and really loved it. I hope this car will meet my expectations!

Ozone

3,051 posts

193 months

Thursday 6th May 2010
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Yes that pretty much covers it.

Try not turn the engine off before the engine has started to get warm in future, that is what causes the flooding problem. If the engine isn't warm the ecu chucks a whole load of petrol in thinking it's doing a cold start when it doesn't need to. It's only to get the cat warm to meet the Euro IV emmissions.

There was a starter motor uprade to help with the problem. The dealers should have a record if it's been fitted. All the service records are on a database if it has Mazda service history.

If this keeps happening you may find that your cat won't last much longer, it does take a hammering when starting flooded.

Great cars, pop over to www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk to get any other questions answered.

Edited by Ozone on Thursday 6th May 12:06


Edited by Ozone on Thursday 6th May 12:11

Mr Will

13,719 posts

212 months

Thursday 6th May 2010
quotequote all
IIRC (and I've never owned one) the correct procedure is to hold the revs at 4k then turn the ignition off so that the engine will keep spinning for a couple of seconds, ejecting any extra fuel.

But I'm sure an owner will be along shortly to clarify!

superpp

426 posts

204 months

Thursday 6th May 2010
quotequote all
never flooded mine (owned for 3 months now), but when I need to just get it out of the garage onto the drive I use the high rev and off routine.

Sit at 4000 rpm for 5 seconds and turn straight off at the key, seems to let the engine spin ejecting unburnt fuel.

konamonkey

56 posts

179 months

Thursday 6th May 2010
quotequote all
Hi,

I've flooded my 2007 model once since I bought it adn that only happened because I got lazy and didnt warm the engine up before I switched it off after a very short move from my drive to the front of the house. Its a silly problem but you can avoid it if you stop and think for a moment. Enjoy your RX8 BTW smile

Wanstead

171 posts

241 months

Thursday 6th May 2010
quotequote all
After 6 years and two RX-8’s I have never managed to flood the engine. I often have to move the car out of the garage to make some working space, so I have faced the potential flooding scenario regularly, in all weathers during that time.
Early on I took advice from the RX-8 Owners Club members and adopted the following procedure;
Rev to 4500rpm and hold for 10 seconds, lift off and allow to idle until the revs settle down to just under 1500rpm (in cold conditions this can take a couple of minutes). Switch off – job done.

Ry_B

2,256 posts

207 months

Thursday 6th May 2010
quotequote all
I owned mine (the 230 version) for 6 months and never once flooded the engine,

Just make sure you don't turn it off when cold and you shouldn't have any problems!

From memory, I think the later ones had new ECU updates and a starter motor to stop it from flooding, mine was a 55 reg, maybe it had the updates?

hopperty

Original Poster:

14 posts

173 months

Friday 7th May 2010
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Next question! how can I tell if the starter motor is failing. I seem to have a bit of delay before the engine catches, sometimes I think its not going to start! Its not a clean/crisp start. Have I bought a dodgy car?

Ozone

3,051 posts

193 months

Friday 7th May 2010
quotequote all
Is this when hot or cold starting?

hopperty

Original Poster:

14 posts

173 months

Friday 7th May 2010
quotequote all
both...

Wanstead

171 posts

241 months

Friday 7th May 2010
quotequote all
Hopperty
It does sound that you car may have missed out on the starter motor upgrade. I don’t think it was a recall issue, but if anyone complained of starting problems than the starter motor was changed under warranty. It will be on the dealer records, so I’d get it checked out if I were you. Also, if it hasn’t already been done you should replace the coil packs and plug leads, recommended at around the 30k mileage mark. A job I have to do very soon. As Ozone says check out the RX-8 Owners Club forum, all the info is on there.

Cheers
Andy


Edited by Wanstead on Friday 7th May 21:37

Jonny671

29,508 posts

195 months

Friday 7th May 2010
quotequote all
hopperty said:
Next question! how can I tell if the starter motor is failing. I seem to have a bit of delay before the engine catches, sometimes I think its not going to start! Its not a clean/crisp start. Have I bought a dodgy car?
Mazda actually say having the key in the firing position (Cranking) for 15 seconds is acceptable.

Coils/Leads/Plugs should be checked if you get it often.

Cat maybe gone from previous owner but you'd probably notice that more.

Only certain VIN ranges had the change of starter and a modified battery, just a larger one really.

You should hold the revs at 4k for a second or two then turn the key straight off, this will keep the engine spinning, with no fuel injecting, and thus using it up.

Whats the service history like? Mazda Stamps?

Plugs need changing at 37,500/75,000 and so on.. These cost around £140 (Mazda Prices) for the plugs alone so some people/companies skip them.

hopperty

Original Poster:

14 posts

173 months

Friday 7th May 2010
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Hi Wanstead! exact same car as mine! same colour model and year how many miles has yours got? mine has 47K

Wanstead

171 posts

241 months

Friday 7th May 2010
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Ah, sorry I should update my profile. I changed the red one for a black PZ 3 years ago, currently on 24k miles.

hopperty

Original Poster:

14 posts

173 months

Friday 7th May 2010
quotequote all
oh! sorry... i must sound like a real bimbo! thanks for your help im gonna take it to mazda and have it checked. it came with a 3 month warranty so hopefully all will be well. I do like the car just not used to having such a sensitive one!