So I swapped the battery, and the clutch, car started and then just died, now it cranks but wont start.

HELP!

Did you check if it's flooded?

If it just started then died that would be a likely bet

Never happened before, how do I check. I dont wanna pull the plugs yet. Hoping its not flooded.

You pretty much gotta pull the plugs to be sure. If they're wet, you're flooded.

You can try some random deflooding procedures from the DIY forum but I'm pretty skeptical about those. Best way is to pull the plugs, crank until the fuel spews out, dry the plugs and put them back in. If the plugs are fouled, consider new plugs.

try and get some buddies to bump start it....

I'm out for that... still can't breathe properly.

Well I pushed the clutch in and the accelerator and the exhaust just POPPED! LOUD! but still no start

DOes jump starting hurt the clutch?

And the problem with that is, if it doesnt start, I gotta push it back up the driveway.

what happened when it died? Weird why it would just die on you.

I'm sure caused the flooding. Do the Mazda deflooding, doesn't work pull the fuel relay. Least you have a strong battery now :) Did you get the red?

ya I have the red, cranks like a mofo, but i dont know if maybe bad gas killed it, i topped up with fresh gas on top of the gas that had stablizer in it

DOes jump starting hurt the clutch?

And the problem with that is, if it doesnt start, I gotta push it back up the driveway.

Shouldn't hurt the clutch.

As Thumper said, pull the fuel relay to make sure no more fuel gets injected in there when you are deflooding.

ya I have the red, cranks like a mofo, but i dont know if maybe bad gas killed it, i topped up with fresh gas on top of the gas that had stablizer in it

Ya love how it cranks it :) If you did that to your gas should be fine. Get it deflooded, do the relay, crank it, let it sit for awhile, do it again, let sit, etc...then finally try to start it after a few hours of sitting and cranking, getting the gas out. That's what I would do anyhow, then pull the plugs if still not going.

what do i do with the fuel relay?

do i pull it out put in back in and crank

or pull it out and then crank and try to get it started

Pull the fuse...will stop the gas going to the engine...leave it out and crank. Let the car sit, then do it again and again. Then put it back in and try starting it.

You pull the fuel relay to ensure that you aren't adding more fuel to an already flooded engine as you crank it.

It really is easier to push start it tho' (will take more than the length of a typical driveway however). It doesn't hurt the clutch as you aren't going very fast when you effectively drop it.

First attempt no go, will try agaim in a bit, this is BS

Just a note: pulling the relay stops new fuel from going into the engine but it won't remove the fuel that's already in there. So, you still need to get that fuel out.

Some people have reported success by pulling the relay, crank 7-8 times, put the relay back in, crank 7-8 times, repeat 3-4 times. Personally, I have my doubts as to how reliably this would work as you still need to send the fuel somewhere. Easiest way is out the spark plug holes!

I would recommend you check your plugs anyways because flooding has been known to foul the plugs, so either way, you should take your plugs out. Might as well just do it all in one shot.

First attempt no go, will try agaim in a bit, this is BS

As Wulf mentions below...sometimes you have to do it a few times. Personally tho, I would pull the relay crank...leave it for 5 minutes, relay still out crank again, and repeat. Basically getting all the fuel out, do that 5 or more times, then put it back in and crank as per norm. Just my thought.

Just a note: pulling the relay stops new fuel from going into the engine but it won't remove the fuel that's already in there. So, you still need to get that fuel out.

Some people have reported success by pulling the relay, crank 7-8 times, put the relay back in, crank 7-8 times, repeat 3-4 times. Personally, I have my doubts as to how reliably this would work as you still need to send the fuel somewhere. Easiest way is out the spark plug holes!

I would recommend you check your plugs anyways because flooding has been known to foul the plugs, so either way, you should take your plugs out. Might as well just do it all in one shot.

Ya wulf, but cranking it while out is suppose to get the full out and pushes it into the exhaust which ends up getting caught in the cat :( It's so much better if you don't have to pull the plugs what a pain and I have to agree with Pros that, that would be the last resort.

I'd rather spend 30 minutes (worst case) to pull the plugs than to dump fuel in my cat. Especially if I am going to have to check the plugs for fouling anyways.

But to each his own.

Good point!! However, just remember he doesn't have one :) lol

If I need new plugs. BS, well cranked again no go, gotta head out to work now, gonna try tonight, if not pull the plus tomorrow morning.

Ya my cat is already fuked, so no worries there.

Good point!! However, just remember he doesn't have one :) lol

Hah didn't know that. I guess there's no problem there then!

I would still want to check my plugs though. I'm pretty anal about keeping the car running at it's peak.

shitty! if it's cranking it's gotta be flooded :(

Ya my cat is already fuked, so no worries there.

dude... remember... you helped bump mine :p

jay, you shouldnt just assume its flooded. you need to know if its flooded before you waste your time and abuse your starter trying to deflood. honestly, pull one spark plug out and you'll know if its flooded. what if the fuel pump took a shit over the winter? or the IGN1 or ING2 fuse popped (i fixed a no start rx8 with this problem about a month ago. the heatshield on his cat fell down and sliced open some wires on the rear o2. those wires touched together and popped the IGN1 or ING2 fuse and it wouldnt start because the injectors werent working)? or maybe the imobilizer system is Fd. trying to deflood when you dont know is just guessing and a waste of time IMO. good luck man and if you need any help, it looks like ill be off tomorrow afternoon.

i rather it have flooded, then have to replace a fuel pump, good advice greg, will check spark plug, when i get home tonight

but after the last time I cranked I smelt a fuel around teh 8, so I think its flooded.

well of course you'd rather it be flooded than need something expensive like that. im just saying you dont want to be cranking the living daylights out of your starter for days on end with the assumption its flooded when it could be something else. good luck, and like i said if you need a hand im almost certain i have the afternoon off tomorrow i can drive out and help you if need be, just PM me if thats the case.

Both times I've flooded mine after taking it out of storage, I've got it going by hooking up a jumper vehicle and cranking the car for 6-8 second intervals with my foot floored on the accelerator for about 8 times consecutively, on the 8th try lift partway through the crank and it comes to life
If it doesn't start dont continue to crank with your foot off the accelerator, resume the foot floored(dry cranks), for another 8 times until you have success and it starts.
After its running dont release the clutch or give it gas, as it will liekly stall, just let it warm up and let the smokeshow begin

Thx for the input guys, tommorrow is supposed to be really warm, gonna wake up early and pull the plugs to see if it is flooded. Will keep you posted, thx for the offer greg, but I sadly have work in the afternoon.

i got the wheel off, plug wires off, f'in plugs are stuck, gotta go pick up a socket set.

Get a good long breaker bar... you'll thank yourself for it.

do i have to get off all the plugs? i got the leadings ones off. After I get them off, do i just crank the engine, with the plugs removed? and put the plugs back in and then start it up?

Use some anti-seize on the threads, this time.

It's a fine line between 'they're stiff' and 'they're seized solid'

Yes, just the leading out should be okay......

S

so i got three plugs, out, one trailiing left, so can I leave that in there.

So do I just rehook the battery, crank to dispel the gas in the engine, i assume i want the plug wire unconnected to the spark plug that lefts in there

^ yep that's right.

How do your plugs look?

could look better.lol

Might not be a bad idea to swap em then ;)

so how many times shoudl i crank? i cranked three intervals, around 5 sec

Once fuel stops spewing out, you can stop.

thx

i just got white smoke coming out it now, i plugged the plugs back in and wires, reconnected battery, still no go,

WTF

so is there more fuel in the engine?

How bad were those plugs really?

Either more fuel or dead plugs..

what the hell is the white smoke coming out of the engine, i dont wanna crank too much and kill my engine

how do u tell if you have too much fuel still in there? does it spray out as a liquid, or fumes?

lol, tried calling greg at work, hes working on a car, greg need help

Spews out liquid as it's not ignited. Did you pull the fuel relay while cranking?

Show us the plugs if you can.

uploading pics now

Pics, I believe my leading are new, below ar epics of both trailing and one leading

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/prospectjtaz/IMG_6151.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/prospectjtaz/IMG_6152.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/prospectjtaz/IMG_6153.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/prospectjtaz/IMG_6154.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/prospectjtaz/IMG_6155.jpg

Gonna upload macro shots

lol fix your focus :)

from the looks of the ones in the background they look black

Macro Shots

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/prospectjtaz/IMG_6157.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/prospectjtaz/IMG_6158.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/prospectjtaz/IMG_6159.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/prospectjtaz/IMG_6160.jpg

Those look pretty sketchy to me... is that rust on the bottom of the 2 right ones? The first one is looking pretty black.

If these were in my car I would probably change them.

Why in God's name are your plugs so hidieously looking?! Holy crap!! My plugs have never looked like that!!
Change those plugs! How many km's are on those things?! Good God!

I'll change them after the car starts, still fuel in the car, fook

I'm telling you, pull the plugs, pull the fuel relay. Hold the throttle to the floor as you try and crank all the crap out of the engine.

Only do this for 8-10 seconds at a time. When all smoke stops, and you see no more little drips or any spitting at you......do it twice more.

Then.......make sure the plugs are good and dry(we used compressed air). Reinstall the plugs, not the fuel relay.

Crank the car(with no throttle) and if/when it catches, plugs the fuel relay in really quick. It's best to have two people for this part. One to start the car and one to put the relay back in.

Sorry man teachin today, no access to comp.

What Mazurfer said, and replace those plugs they look brutal!! It may not run with those plugs.

Ouch this hurts.... was your car is storage all winter??? now i'm getting nervouse about mine!!!

I'm gonna try what Mazurfer said, I left it for today, battery needs recharging and figured the starter could take a breAk. Gonna go at it tonight if possible, or tomorrow morning.

jay, just got home now. i hung around work and played with my car wheni figured there was no chance i'd be able to get out to help you because you were at work. anyways, im posting this because my cell phones completely dead and i lost my charger. I can come out tonight if you want. id rather avoid rush hour though. I have the old plugs out of my car that are at least dry and never flooded so i can bring those if you want. let me know ASAP because ill have to run back to work to get the stuff before 430pm. and if there are any tools or anything.

P.S. when you call me at work just ask to speak to me. they thought you were an angry customer or something thats why they said i was busy. lol. I wont get in trouble for personal calls, so just say that its personal and there wont be a problem. haha

Maybe we could do an install meet tonight sounds good greg, when do you wanna come out over here? Anyone else wanna come?

Maybe we could do an install meet tonight sounds good greg, when do you wanna come out over here? Anyone else wanna come?

ya man thats good. i just dont wanna have to sit in rush hour traffic. us small town guelph guys cant handle that. lol. So what do you want me to bring and when do you think is the earliest i could leave and avoid alot of traffic? Also, need your address to plug into google maps.

whats up with your spark plugs? looks like you have 4 trailings in there....

Yeah, his plugs really do look fuk'd

I need a battery charger to recharge my battery, I guess bring extra plugs in case. I have antiseize, if you have extentions for a socket wrench bring that. Or a breaker bar. I have a spark plug socket. Anything you think we need. I don't get off work till 8, 7:30. Is that too late?

I need a battery charger to recharge my battery, I guess bring extra plugs in case. I have antiseize, if you have extentions for a socket wrench bring that. Or a breaker bar. I have a spark plug socket. Anything you think we need. I don't get off work till 8, 7:30. Is that too late?

thats fine, so ill leave hear about 730. pm me your address. i'll have to see if i can dig up a battery charger. Im going now to get the tools and stuff. if you need me for something my cell phone is 519-803-8884, but i wont have it on me for a while (needs to charge now that i found the charger). so leave a message or pm me with whatever.

jay, just got home now. i hung around work and played with my car wheni figured there was no chance i'd be able to get out to help you because you were at work. anyways, im posting this because my cell phones completely dead and i lost my charger. I can come out tonight if you want. id rather avoid rush hour though. I have the old plugs out of my car that are at least dry and never flooded so i can bring those if you want. let me know ASAP because ill have to run back to work to get the stuff before 430pm. and if there are any tools or anything.

P.S. when you call me at work just ask to speak to me. they thought you were an angry customer or something thats why they said i was busy. lol. I wont get in trouble for personal calls, so just say that its personal and there wont be a problem. haha

Haven't read below yet, so it may be running by now, but old DRY plugs would really help the situation. If not, at least clean yours up carefully with some steel wool or sand paper, but make sure they are clean when putting them back in! Those plugs he showed above look pretty rough!!!!!!

Good luck guys, get it dry, get the plugs dry, pull that relay and hold the throttle all the way down, crank in bursts until nothing comes out of the plug holes. Don't forget to wipe out the plug holes.....get that crap dry.
Once the plugs are back in, have someone stand at the front of the car with relay in hand(in the right orientation) and have someone else crank the car(with no gas). Once it fires(if it fires), get that relay back in there kinda quickly. Modulate the throttle and don't let it stall. Throw the wheel back on, lower it off the jack stand, and take it for a good hard drive......once it's warmed up!
Don't be real surprised if you have to repeat the procedure. I had to do the whole thing twice on the car I was helping with.
Good luck.........Long way to drive from Florida or I'd be there! :)

Either that or pull start it! 18mph.....2nd gear.....pop.....once going, go to neutral real quick and don't let it stall!

Good luck guys, get it dry, get the plugs dry, pull that relay and hold the throttle all the way down, crank in bursts until nothing comes out of the plug holes. Don't forget to wipe out the plug holes.....get that crap dry.
Once the plugs are back in, have someone stand at the front of the car with relay in hand(in the right orientation) and have someone else crank the car(with no gas). Once it fires(if it fires), get that relay back in there kinda quickly. Modulate the throttle and don't let it stall. Throw the wheel back on, lower it off the jack stand, and take it for a good hard drive......once it's warmed up!
Good luck.........Long way to drive from Florida or I'd be there! :)

dont worry man. ive been involved in many a deflood in my short time as apprentice at a mazda dealer. the only thing is i dont have a battery charger/booster...that would be really handy. well, the best bet is actually a good tow vehicle, but we'll get it started tonight jay, dont worry.

Hey prospectjtaz,

If you guys need a hand let me know, i just popped the battery back in my 8 and am going to fire her up and go for a spin. I can swing by wherever you are and help out if need be.

If you guys can get compressed air, inject air into the intake manifold(there is a hose right at the top when u take the engine cover off), the "un-metered" air helps with deflooding.

Thanks to Greg, Mark and Chris coming out to help me out. We got it up and running!!!

I got held back a bit, but the guys were there when I got there. Cranking over two days killed the battery, or the fact I accidentally left the trunk open.

Went to Walmart to get a new battery and a charger.

Kept cranking with plugs out, tons of gas, didnt understand why. We made a silly mistake, I pulled the Fuel fuse and not the fuel pump relay. Cranked with that out.

Put greg's plugs in and cranked. Many tries to get it caught, it caught, went to 3000 and died.

Then Marky Mark, the Magic man, got in, he cranked while Greg waiting with the fuel pump relay. First try, it caught, and relay went back in. kept it running, playing with throttle to even it out.

Then it just went whomp, ECU refigured itself out. Rough idle, went around for a few victory laps. All is well now.

ONCE AGAIN SO MUCH THANKS TO Thumper, Rev, and Rotarygreg.

For you flooding needs in the GTA, contact Marky Mark, the one turn deflooder.

Thanks again GREG, round on me or dinner or whatever, heck we'll go cow tipping if you like.

LMFAO!! Greg's da man, he did all the hard stuff. Glad she is alive for another season :)

haha, dont mention it at all man. part of the local rotary brotherhood y'know. good thing we had the secret weapon there (mark). friggin guy...swooping in, grabbin all the glory. :lol::lol: he probably knew the hole time he had the touch, just figured he'd make us work a bit. lol.

Well Jay I for one am shocked that you would let your baby fall into such a state of disrepair! Old spark plugs, dead battery! OH MY! (lololololol):)

i thought flooding 8's were a thing of the past. i thought all the owners of 8's specially guys that have had them as long as you jay knew how to prevent/deflood in their sleep

Nice team effort guys!
Railton

Good job guys!!!!!! :)

haha, dont mention it at all man. part of the local rotary brotherhood y'know. good thing we had the secret weapon there (mark). friggin guy...swooping in, grabbin all the glory. :lol::lol: he probably knew the hole time he had the touch, just figured he'd make us work a bit. lol.

haha...it's all about being one with the rotary ;)

i thought flooding 8's were a thing of the past. i thought all the owners of 8's specially guys that have had them as long as you jay knew how to prevent/deflood in their sleep

lol...true, but not much you can do when you start it and it just dies right away on you :(

i thought flooding 8's were a thing of the past. i thought all the owners of 8's specially guys that have had them as long as you jay knew how to prevent/deflood in their sleep

no way nate. the first temp drop we get our lot is full of flooded 8s. every time you hear a tow truck in our back lot, its almost certainly an rx8 thats been flooded. actually at the beggining of this season i was litteraly just saying to one of the techs, "im suprised that we havent seen many rx8 no starts yet" and like clockwork, CAA pulled in with an rx8 in tow. lol. Al, do you guys have many flooded 8s, or are guelph rotary owners just a special breed?

Greg, out of curiosity, how much does dealership charge for deflooding?

Greg, out of curiosity, how much does dealership charge for deflooding?


dont know exactly, never been on that side of the counter. i have an idea based on the labour rate/time we put into them and also we always recommend doing spark plugs after a flood and usually do end up selling it...but it depends. Me and another tech have spent an entire afternoon on an AT once. i could only imagine how much that would cost.

are these all old o4's with out the new starter?
a friend of mine flooded my car a while back while i was on vacation. came home it sputtered when i tired starting it. simple put the accelerator to the floor and turned it over for a good 30seconds till it started sputtering and firing kept it to the floor for another 10seconds. then let the starter cool for another min or so then cranked it over and it started after about 15 seconds of cranking. probably wasn't that flooded but never had a problem since and that was with the old slow starter with the new starters that spin so much faster i cant imagine flooding it.

Nope...pros has the new starter

Dude, I dont have the new starter, I wish I did.

If we go down to the states, I'm setting up a dealer appointment there, the car will be back in the states, and I'm just gonna get them to do all the TSBs if I can.

I want that new starter.

Dude, I dont have the new starter, I wish I did.

If we go down to the states, I'm setting up a dealer appointment there, the car will be back in the states, and I'm just gonna get them to do all the TSBs if I can.

I want that new starter.

thats gonna be pricey man...unless you are still under warranty, but even then they would have to diagnose the problem in their own way, then order the parts if not in stock. remember TSBs are neither recalls nor are they extended warranties on the parts they talk about. they are basically tech tips to save techs time when diagnosing a problem with a given car.

my bad...I thought you said a few times that you got the updated starter or was it just a new starter?

get the updated (high speed) starter...I got it a while ago, makes a HUGE difference in starting, I used to have to crank for a long time for hot starts, this fixed EVERYTHING.