I don't know if this has been posted before... but anyway.

Today I went out to start my 8. I haven't started it since Wednesday and it's been around -20C to -25C here for the past 3 days. Last night it dipped close to -30C.

It started right up ( :) ), and then tried to idle. However it then began a cycle of throttling the idle from between 1500 and 2500rpms. I was alarmed at first but then realized it sounded like it knew what it was doing since the revving was very regular. It did this for about 5 minutes, and sometimes sounded like it would try to do a straight idle... then change it's mind and do the revving again. Finally it stopped... I guess it figured it was warm enough to idle at one rpm.

Has anyone else experienced this? My first thought is: cool! But could something possibly got "frozen" stuck?

I took it out for a drive and it was fine.

I get it occassionaly. It's called surging. Temps here are not even close to that, but it'll be below freezing when I start her up tomorrow.

Mine does that at any cool temperature, sometimes peaks at 2300 revs!
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doc

The "8" is so "revable" that even the computer wants to get in on the reving! :)

Mine idles that way in the morning and it barely gets down to 40 here. I read somewhere it's designed to do that.

I also see this type of initial idling at all temperatures, maybe with more up-down cycles the colder it is.

Mine barely starts, but that is because it is -45 F for the last few days. So she hasn't been driven in the last week. And when I did start it, it was at like 2500rpm.

Maybe a little off topic, but my 93 Miata does the same thing when it gets below about 35. Different engine type, but same phenomenon.

Mine also idled jumping between 1500-3000 rpm's this morining. I noticed that when I had the clutch in it idled at a constant 2300 rpm's but when I took my foot off the clutch it jumped up and down. It doesn't seem normal to me so I was going to ask the dealer about it.

Mine goes to like 2800 for like a couple minutes. Reminds me of my civic without an intake manifold gasket. Yeah, -55 last night Ronnie.

Mine does the same thing...no problem.

It's been about -35 in Winnipeg the last few days ...

Luckily, I park indoors in a heated parkade.

However, when I go to work, it sits in extreme cold for 8hrs and starts no problems. The RPM's cycle from 2100 to 1500 until the temp gage starts moving ...

A bigger problem I find is the doors and interior. It seems like the car wasn't built for this cold. I have to slam the doors to close them (or else they bounce open) - and the interior makes weird crackly type noises (almost like the rock hard plastic is cracking) ...

Don't all 8's jump up and down between 1500 and 2500 when you first start it up? Mine's been doing this since the day I bought it, although it's usally closer to 1500-2100. It's been discussed on here before, and the conclusion was that it's perfectly normal. Does it for about 30 seconds to a minute, and then stops. I always wait for it to quit before I take off, or else it tries to literally "take off."

I just went out and started mine tonight, at first it went to 2.5k, and then dropped down to 1.7k, after about 30 seconds, it went to 1.5k. It gradually dropped down to around 1k over the next 5 minutes. The ambient temp display was reading 4*F. The temp is supposed to get down to a slightly brisk -20*F overnight. I'll try it again in the morning, and post if anything anomalous happens.:)
-Doccable

Literatii and others:

I typed up the following before checking out the forum this morning, so please bear with me:

Has any one else had this happen? Last night, leaving work, (where the car sits outside) so far, the coldest start my car has had to experience. (the display on the dash read –3 degrees F, or ~-19 degrees C) The RX8 (6sp) started ok, but as soon as the engine started, it zinged up to about 3300 RPM immediately. It then dropped gradually to about 2000 RPM, then started cycling between 1000 and 2000 RPM; up and down, as though I was blipping the throttle, backfiring every time it dropped down to 1000 RPM. (it wasn’t serious “gun blast” backfiring, but louder than the puffing it sometimes makes during idling – I didn’t see if flames were shooting out of the exhaust, I was just sitting there, too surprised)

This “cycling” went on for about three minutes, then I noticed if I pushed the clutch pedal in, the idle would stabilize a little above 1000 RPM. Finally, after about five minutes the idle settled to normal. I was tempted to shut the engine off immediately, but I knew that wasn’t an option!

What worries me most was the high RPM start; I won’t even rev the engine above 3100 RPM until the temperature gauge shows normal operating temperature! The RPM cycling seems to be caused by the electronic throttle sensing the drag caused by the very cold transmission lube, and for now, I’ll consider it a fluke. Why it would cycle, I don’t know.

I’ve never had any CELs appear so far, and none last night either. The car seems fine this morning; it revved to about 2500 RPM this morning when I started it, and it quickly stabilized, but the temperature display showed +10 degrees F, so I’ll have to see what happens next time the temperature drops again.

KKM -- I don't think 2000-3100rpm is really that high for a rotary engine; even when cold.

jimsabo - yeah I noticed the door-shutting problem as well. It's a bit annoying but just requires a good slam. Repeated slamming might cause problems.. (?). Dunno.

Bigger problem is the emergency brake. It's very sensitive to cold weather (like most).

If you're warming your 8 up in cold weather (meaning it's in neutral) you might want to throw a block of wood under the back tire if it's sitting on an incline. My 8 rolled down the driveway to my neighbor's place yesterday. Bet he thought Santa brought him a late present ;)

Despite great efforts to keep it clean, my car has been so covered with salt lately, if it rolled into the neighbors yard he probably wouldn't see it.

I know what you mean about that damn emergency brake handle. Did they use a cheap rubber band for a return spring or something? I haven't noticed the brakes dragging though.

That is the excess gas in the rotars burning off. It takes longer to burn off in colder weather. My MT does it sometimes when its chilly.

Its the oil circulating from the oil pan. It takes times for the oil to come up and since its cooler the oil is more condense. Engine works harder since there is less oil, after a few revs oil is back in to the main stream. I hope this helps

I also noticed that the e-brake sticks and when I tried to put mine down yesterday the plastic piece inside snapped. It was quite loud so I thought that something serious had happened. I was taking my car to the dealer anyway and they are going to replace the e-brake handle under warranty. I am not sure if they had the -20f temps in mind with this car.

You sound like a Winnipegger. -30C YIKES! Yes mine does exactly the cycling/surging thing yours does. Guess its supposed to be that way.

I also heard a loud "snapping" noise when releasing my e-brake after it sat outside for 8hrs (in the cold) ...

What plastic piece inside snaps? My e-brake still seams to work ...

-35 to -40 F gah you all need to move to warmer temps. 40degrees above freezing is still too cold for me.

I have the same problem with my e-brake snapping only the brake won't go down all the way and the light stays on!

Originally posted by Smack
-35 to -40 F gah you all need to move to warmer temps. 40degrees above freezing is still too cold for me. Agreed :D The week before last I was driving around with the windows down. Gotta love Texas.

I thought i was the only one with this problem. I was driving my car last night and it was around 5 degrees. At first my e-brake wouldnt go all the way down and i had to hit down to get it down finally. Then when driving my car it felt like it had a flat tire and felt like the road was bumpy. I think i was in my garage for about 10-15 min trying to warm that thing up. I guess it wasnt meant for the cold. Is this normal or should i go to my dealer see whats wrong?

this must be the way the rotary works in the cold..my 2nd gen 7 does the exact same thing on cold mornings...i'd say it's normal for a rotary engine car

Looks like a Mazda thing. Someone mentioned their Miata does the same thing and the no the FC does it (with confirmation from rx8ntexas). I don't know about the FD, but it wouldn't surprise me if it did.

If it really bothers anyone than, than do what KKMmaniac said and just hold in the clutch.

I just got my RX8 about 2 weeks ago. I have noticed when I first start up in the morning and its cold, around 6000 rpm it feels like it want's to stall out. I am goiny to take it back to the dealer next week to see whats going on.

Originally posted by scott1
I just got my RX8 about 2 weeks ago. I have noticed when I first start up in the morning and its cold, around 6000 rpm it feels like it want's to stall out. I am goiny to take it back to the dealer next week to see whats going on.

I promise that this is normal on a rotary....i've owned 2 Rx-7's and now the 8 and they have all done this...i don't know the cause though but i don't think its a bad thing...only takes about 3 min. of driving before it warms up enough not to do this

Originally posted by 93rdcurrent
I also noticed that the e-brake sticks and when I tried to put mine down yesterday the plastic piece inside snapped. It was quite loud so I thought that something serious had happened. I was taking my car to the dealer anyway and they are going to replace the e-brake handle under warranty. I am not sure if they had the -20f temps in mind with this car.
Yup, mine did this too. Still works, but it tends to pop up a bit, making the light on the dash light up.
Annoying.

I too have had the 2100/1500 rev cycle on warm up when it was really cold last week.

Seems to do no harm, but sure chews gas.

I found the reason the door was reluctant to close is that the aluminum sill plate sticker is popping up at the centre when cold, and it rubs the bottom of the door.
Almost knocks it off.

Originally posted by scott1
I just got my RX8 about 2 weeks ago. I have noticed when I first start up in the morning and its cold, around 6000 rpm it feels like it want's to stall out. I am goiny to take it back to the dealer next week to see whats going on.
Do you mean the rev limiter? When the engine is cold the rev limiter kicks in at 6000 rpm, not 9000. This is to protect the engine - you really shouldn't rev cold engines too hard or you can seriously damage them (that goes for pistons as well as rotaries). Personally, I try to keep it below 4000 rpm until the temperature is in the centre of the dial.

It was -20C yesterday, my 8 had not been used for 12 days and it started right up, cycled up and down a bit but bothing else, it sounded great !!

I've got a different starting problem to describe. Maybe needs a new thread but I will start here.

Lately my car has been harder and harder to start. When I first got it in the summer it would start almost instantly. As things cooled off I expected to take a little longer to start because that is normal. Now its taking almost 5 seconds on the starter for it to fire. As for temperatures I'm in South Carolina and we are only getting down to the middle thirties at night and our days have been in the fifties. Most of my drives are to and from work which is 20 minutes with at least 10 at highway speeds so I am not worried about flooding. Also this does not happen all the time. Usually if the car has sat for a few hours. The worst is drive to work and let the car sit for 8 hours then start it to come home. Turn the key and wait several seconds for the engine to fire up. After it starts everything is fine.

Anybody got any ideas?

im ight have the same problem :( if it is a problem...first rotary engine...i'm afraid to even ask the b/f...don't wanna hear the "i told u so" anyways..i live in florida..and yeah while everyone is freezing in snow..i'm in 60 deg. weather...anyways..this morning..i went to start the car..and it seemed like it took forever..like it wasn't gonna start...finally it did...then i drove to work..went out for lunch hours later..and again...it seemed to take forever...hearing that sound just worried me :( especially a car with just 1000 miles on it.. should i be worried?

I think that both of you should take the cars in to the dealers and let them diagnose it. Most of us in the really cold weather are not experiencing that problem. There have been a couple of times that mine seemed to hesitate for about an extra second to start but nothing that took 5 seconds. And again think of the cold conditions we have had here. I put a new battery in my wifes Audi 2 months ago and it didn't start one day. Too cold...

Originally posted by LiquidChick
...first rotary engine...i'm afraid to even ask the b/f...don't wanna hear the "i told u so" anyways
Is Ike your b/f? :)
Seriously, I'd take it in before it WON"T start. Sux being stuck, and some have had delays with roadside assist.

Originally posted by Speed-ER doc
Is Ike your b/f? :)
Seriously, I'd take it in before it WON"T start. Sux being stuck, and some have had delays with roadside assist.

lol no..it's funny u mentioned ike...cuz when i see him post...i think of my bf..and his best friend...who has a wrx..and always rags on me....it sux that i can't ask him things like this...cuz he knows alot abt cars..gets frustrating to hear it all the time....

I say ask you BF about it and warn him very clearly : "you bug me again with my wonderful RX-8 and you will not touch me for a month" Might get him off your back... :-)

Originally posted by f1michel
I say ask you BF about it and warn him very clearly : "you bug me again with my wonderful RX-8 and you will not touch me for a month" Might get him off your back... :-)

lol i can't make a threat like that...god knows i can't hold up to that promise..lol

hasn't happened today.no problem..

I have had the same concern about mine. When it gets cold here.....like below 35.....when it first fires up the idle surges about 5-6 times between 2-3k RPM and then stabilizes. I assume it is something that the ECU is doing on purpose to maybe heat up the catalytic converter???

This is my hypothesis because I have a 91 RX-7 convertible also, and in the cold weather the idle does not surge like the 8, but as soon as it is started it jumps up to 3000 RPM and stays there for about 17 seconds and then an air bypass valve opens and drops the idle down to around 2k. This is supposedly normal for it to do that. As it warms up it slowly drops down to normal (750 RPM). I have been told that the ECU runs that 17 second 3k RPM speed to heat the cats up faster. If I tap the accelerator in the 7 right after starting it, it "cancels" out the 17 second cat warmup routing and jumps right down to around 2k.

I have the e-brake issue as well. When I release it, I have to hold the button in and press it down into the fully disengaged setting and let go of the button to make the light go off. Almost like the cable is slow to retract because the lubricant (if there is any) in the cable might be sludged up from the cold temps.

Originally posted by jtdwab
I've got a different starting problem to describe. Maybe needs a new thread but I will start here.

Lately my car has been harder and harder to start. When I first got it in the summer it would start almost instantly. As things cooled off I expected to take a little longer to start because that is normal. Now its taking almost 5 seconds on the starter for it to fire. As for temperatures I'm in South Carolina and we are only getting down to the middle thirties at night and our days have been in the fifties. Most of my drives are to and from work which is 20 minutes with at least 10 at highway speeds so I am not worried about flooding. Also this does not happen all the time. Usually if the car has sat for a few hours. The worst is drive to work and let the car sit for 8 hours then start it to come home. Turn the key and wait several seconds for the engine to fire up. After it starts everything is fine.

Anybody got any ideas?

I've noticed that sometimes my 8 doesn't start right away -- it takes a 4-5 second crank. It's usually after I drive it really hard. Most times it starts right up though.

Try this: if you're driving it moderately hard just before parking it(say >6krpm shifts), let it idle for 60 seconds before you turn off the engine. Also, before starting it, turn the key so the accessories come on and then let it stay there til the seat-belt ding goes off (about 5 seconds). Then crank it. It could be my imagination but these things seems to help.

I rev my engine to 3,500 rpms for 10 seconds and that seems to help.

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Originally posted by jtdwab
I've got a different starting problem to describe. Maybe needs a new thread but I will start here.

Lately my car has been harder and harder to start. When I first got it in the summer it would start almost instantly. As things cooled off I expected to take a little longer to start because that is normal. Now its taking almost 5 seconds on the starter for it to fire. As for temperatures I'm in South Carolina and we are only getting down to the middle thirties at night and our days have been in the fifties. Most of my drives are to and from work which is 20 minutes with at least 10 at highway speeds so I am not worried about flooding. Also this does not happen all the time. Usually if the car has sat for a few hours. The worst is drive to work and let the car sit for 8 hours then start it to come home. Turn the key and wait several seconds for the engine to fire up. After it starts everything is fine.

Anybody got any ideas?
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Just talked to my service rep at the Mazda dealer. He told me that the battery that came with my car is only a 575 cold crank amp battery. He said that this is part of the problem starting it up because there are somany electronics in this car. The Mazda 6 comes with a 600 amp battery and has less electronics. They said they would change it out for free and install a stronger battery. I'll let you know if this really helps.

I need to apologize to you guys, because I thought you must be imagining things. Guess what mine did this morning (and after work when I started it)? Vroom, Vroom, Vrooom. Scared me at first, because I was like "what the hell is this car doing" but then I realize it must have been what you all have been referring to all this time. Not the normal slower cycling between 1500 and 2000rpms it always does. Apologies.