So my 2004 Titanium Grey RX8 with 48,000 miles is again at the dealership. This is the 3rd time in 6 months that this has happened. I never had issues with flooding as I am the original owner. The tech tells me that I need to drive the car "harder". I am not a conservative driver by any means and my DMV record will back that. My question is does the orginal RX8 engine become more susceptible to flooding with age? Thanks for any help in advance gents.

 

You need updated starter, new coils and plugs and battery.

Best bet is to buy the Access Port from MM.

 

You need to see if your PCM has all the current flashes. There was a flash out that combated the flood issue. I have an '04, and I flooded once and only once back in early '05. Once I got the flash and new starter never had the problem again.

 

Make sure u have all new flashes and upgraded starter....when u say u drive hard do u take it up to redline very often or just cruise above the speed limit(I do not condone doing this becuase it is unlawful).....this engine needs to b redlined to keep the carbon from building up on the rotors but i don't see how carbon would cause it to flood.....

Flooding is injecting too much gas and soaking the plugs so they will not spark...

 

where can u buy the upgraded starter?

 

^http://finishlineperformance.com/sto...cat=338&page=1

 

It will flood easier if the motor is getting weak as well....

I would get them to do a compression test and see if the engine has good compression....
Other than that...starter, battery, coils...all the usual need to be checked

 

^yeah a compression test is also a good idea

 

Sounds like you might need a new engine. The curse of 04s. Good luck!

 

^How does flooding the car sound like he needs a new engine? Only a compression check will tell that. Go learn the car and come back with some real insight...

 

Got my RX8 back today and it turns out it was carbon buildup that caused my flood. I guess I will have to beep more frequently to keep my baby clean! Thanks again fellas.

 

A Beep a day, keeps the techie away!

 

and you know it was carbon build up how?MT or AT? - your OP doesn't say

 

That's what the tech told me. I have been going to Orange Mazda since I bought the car and they have always been straight with me. I have a 6 speed manual.

 

Flooded mine out again on friday. I had a final to get to also. No prob though. I was able to get it running within 30 min. I smelled like exhaust afterward but it was a hella lot better than waiting for a tow and then paying at the dealership.

 

A lean fuel mix is a symptom on the replace the engine list but I imagine the mechanic would do everything possible to replace the motor since its a nice amount of $$$$ for the dealer to do the job. He could have good compression and have a lean mix still. I forget exactly what the test is, a vacuum for the baro or whatever....its sunday I am blanking. I have seen compressions in the 8/9's and a lean fuel for bad engines before, if it happens again see if they can do a vacuum check of it or something. I just see the engine when it comes in with the paperwork so I dont know exactly what tests are ran though, hopefully this gives you an idea.

 

^ man it is nice to have someone around here that is in the middle of everything happening in our industry!

 

Love the look of your 8! The two-tone really looks sharp!

 

love the look of your 8! The two-tone really looks sharp!

 

Flooding is not due to the way you drive the car. It dont matter if you drive at the speed limit or drive the car hard. Its about warming up your car and driving it cold. Then you turn it off and bingo! you just flooded it. You have to let it warm up before you move it a short distance.

 

OKAY.. let me just say this.

Last night it was 24f here in NYC (water temp at startup was 40f) . Turned my car on. Car was turned off 1 minute later. Don't ask why. My car turned back on with a 1 1/2 second crank.

The end.










PS: i stalled.

 

It's not a guarantee it's going to flood just a possibility and with all the new flashes that mazda has been giving us they are supposed to basically take care of the flooding problem

 

You stalled? So, you went to drive the car without warming it up? Nice...

 

Well all I did was try to start it to go to work and it cranked but didn't turn...

 

I don't sit in the car wasting loads of fuel waiting for the needle to come up to midway. No one should be doing that anyway considering how incredibly inefficient the rotary is at cold temperatures. I turned my car on and wait for the idle to drop below 1,500 and I'm off. Of course I don't take it over 3,500 till its completely warmed up.

I stalled in reverse backing out of my space at work.. yes yes fail.