Ok so I got my rx8 yesterday I know it has engine problems and before anyone says use the search button I'm gonna but for now I'm gonna try and post my story here from now till it's running good lol.
Ok so if anyone read my post in gen disc I stated I picked the car up it ran very rough and stalled nightmare got it started with a bump start. Still felt rough then it was dying and I floored it and nothing happened for a few sec them Wooof it cleared its lungs so to speak. So where am I now
Engine light is on all the time and flashes when I drive hard I'm aware that's a misfire problem. So I connected my code reader and this is what I have
P0300 random multiple misfire
P0118 coolant temp circuit high
P0171 system too lean bank 1
P2270 02 sens signal stuck lean bank 1 sens2
P2096 post catalyst fuel trim system too lean bank 1
P2270 as above only listed twice
So I'm now gonna research these codes
The car has covered 103 thousand miles I have hot start probes as in it won't start hot lol
I'm gonna get an uprated starter from a breaker 100 quid
And as I have no history with it I'm going to change coils leads and plugs for the hotter upgraded ones. I know that engine will need rebuilt so I would need these parts anyway. A little bit at a time. If anyone want to help with the codes I'm more than happy for a post but please don't post saying use the search button as I have every intention on doing this.
I'll keep everyone updated cheers

 

have the cat physically inspected and probably change the front O2 sensor

 

Thanks for that in the trunk (boot)there is an old sensor so 1 has been changed I'll get the part number and see what one it was also 4 old plugs there but no coils or leads lol. well that gets me worried the old box for the sensor has 4 wire universal on it so I'm thinking this is not a specific part. Any suggestions cheers

 

Ok so today I removed air filter and it's boggin so will get new one ordered.
Checked coils and there not white on the back but there is a shade difference and I sheared 1 of the bolts that holds it down.
The leads literally fall of the plugs and Im being serious.
The plug at the cat is melted slightly suggesting cat is choked so I'm gonna clean that Tuesday or so.
The starter is defo not the updated one it sounds very sluggish.
So im gonna order all parts and get them fitted ASAP. The car when cold started in about 3-5 sec so I'm thinking it's not as bad as first thought but we shall see

 

3-5 sec when cold is ugly.
At 100k miles I would also change the fuel pump. They're cheap.
Oh and don't forget the engine lol!
I wouldn't drive the car until is completely rebuilt and ready to go. Changing one failing part at a time is only worth it when the general conditions are good. In this case i'd just spend a couple of weeks taking the engine off, ordering another one and then install everything at a single time.

 

Sounds like new coils, plugs, wires and cat are in your future. I would try those first and see how she does. Next would be a compression test to check the engine status.

 

I concur with not driving too much until sorted out a little bit more. If battery died, then it could be trying to learn, while other stuff is hosed and the computer is having a bad time of it. Error codes are all for lean, with one high temp, all of those point to running lean and hot. Fuel pump is a good idea (from above), also maybe a can of the local injector cleaner in the tank. I like Sea Foam down here, but have no idea what is in your area. A lean engine is not a happy engine. I would worry that part first. Oh, and look/listen for a vacuum leak. The computer will try like heck to compensate, then will tell you it cannot with an error code. I know, I engineered a nice one and had to be told where I screwed up with my "improvement".

I have no idea if the plugged cat would make it run lean. Someone else will have to chime in there. Anyone?

Once it sorts out and will idle and run, check out the $100 thread below. It is a lot of easy stuff that really helped me on an older one. I do no think any of them will help your first issue though.

Good luck.

 

Wow thanks for the input guys. I'm not gonna be driving much in it anyway I have a wee Honda jazz and a van to get me about. I got this car as a challenge for myself as no mechanics here will touch them... I'm gonna do a compression test when I find my tester I was gonna change parts to see if starting improved as it will defo need them anyway. Also3-5seconds with a crappy starter is that ugly I thought it wasn't bad lol shows what I know. Well 348 pounds on coils plugs and leads. And 100 on a starter great fun. I'm thinking this car must have been looked after as it's made it too 103thou so here's hoping I can rescue her and get her back to prime

 

Oh I meant to ask could this 4 wire universal lambda sensor be causing any problems. I'm never keen on universal parts that cost 19.99 which is a fifth of a decent one. Surely there is more than the plug for a difference. Cheers guys

 

ok so i got a new starter plugs coils and leads todays mission shall be
1 remove cat
2 change starter
3 plugs coils leads
while i got plugs out im gonna comp test it just with and anolouge gauge to give me a rough idea of how bad it really is
anyone used these 4 wire universal lamda sensors??? cheers guys will update tonight

 

right just updating this got cat off and gutted it fitted old lambda sensor. couldnt find lock nut so was unable to change plugs but got new coils and leads fitted and starter and what a difference now when hot takes about 3 secs to start so thats a plus. new CEL code has poped up and its p0037 so need to research that now. and i forgot to fit gasket when i refitted cat so it blowing oot its **** lol. well thanks for the help so far everyone

 

Neat thread.
Sub'd to following the "epic journey"

Good luck!