jamesf

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys,

as you might have checked from my other thread, i bought a used 2005 rx8 touring. 80k miles on it. When i originally asked a mazda dealer to look at it, they told me not to bother with having a compression test done, because it would cost much more than $100, and they could tell without doing it whether or not the engine was bad. I dont know, I told them what you recommended, but they did not seem so into doing it. On the writeup, they said as far as the starting issue goes, the dealer should start by replacing the spark plugs. They did.

It works a bit better now, but still sometimes it takes quite a while to start up. I dont mind so much that it takes a bit, but more or less im concerned as to whether or not its a problem, because I'm still new with this car. Its a 2005, and I'm sure the engine warranty is probably running out soon. I heard sometimes this issue could be caused by compression. Regardless, this is a video that I shot of me just on a warm start.

This is actually the best start ive probably seen so far. It only took a couple seconds, but previous to this start, I had to crank for like 6 seconds about (made the same noise though).

So my question is, is this normal?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Eq4l...ature=youtu.be

Also another question. If I stand behind the car and listen to the exhaust, maybe once every 10 seconds, it kinda sounds like the exhaust skips a beat, kind of like a hiccup. I hear it in both pipes. Is that normal?

LAST QUESTION I SWARE:
So reading about the whole compression issue with the engine, can this affect the acceleration/pull of the car? I dont redline the car often (once a day like every one has instructed), but when I do, I start rolling in first gear, and then I floor it. Until 5000 rpms i have not a lot of torque which people said is normal, but once I get above there, I get the pull, but it is not completely smooth/conformed. Keeping my foot down far, I feel a big pull, then a quick break in torque, big pull. Now I know that this is really knit picking here, and it probably isnt as dramatic as I'm making it out to seem, but none the less, I need to know if these things are normal.

thanks for bearing with me guys

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

tl;dr

Check/replace:
plugs and coils
Starter
Cat converter

Compression could be an issue, but know the status of the above mentioned, before spending big $$

SEG

I am having a similar issue and have been searching through the forum the past few days (before I spend $200 just to have the dealer look...).

I also have a 2005, AT, 72K miles. Very, very difficult to warm start, and once warm the idle is very "sputter-y" and the car gets a shaking type feeling when accelerating from a stop light (only lasts for the first 1,000RPMs, then goes away).

Just replaced the battery a few days ago. About a month ago, got a CEL for a coil causing a misfire and had the place I bought it from check. I am not certain what they did, but he said to let him know if the CEL came back on. I am guessing they probably just reset it and left the coil in there.

My engine is still in warranty according to Mazda.

Good luck, jamesf.

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

also, if the thing to check first is the plugs/coils/starters, can you point me in the right direction of where to buy them? I see at maztricks there are sets of the ignition wires but there are different sized 8mm 10mm, and there are a bunch of different types of starters too that I see as well. Ugh, this is so frustrating because the used car dealer said theyd fix the car up for me, yet it still has issues. and they wont go replacing these things because the car is not "broken". How crappy, dont buy from a non-certified dealer. what a mistake i made.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

if you wish to go oem, visit advanced auto parts and purchase from them. Or visit mazmart dot com (an awesome vendor of these forums).

Or, if you wish to upgrade, visit blackhaloracing dot com http://blackhaloracing.com/?page_id=...&product_id=19

Search around here, and you will find no better product/service than from the guys at BHR!

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

well I guess first things first. Ill try replacing the starter since mine sounds like the slow one. Hopefully that will help? would you recommend that first? (The dealer already replaced the plugs).

I tried searching for a starter for sale but could only find one thats in europe made my mitsubishi. Is this the 1 I should be buying? The 1 from mazmart is sold out.

Im just wondering if I should just save that money though and go get a compression test...

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

I would test your coils first https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-testing-all-rx-8-coils-gm-ls2-yukon-coils-sparkplug-wires-222641/
It's usually recommended to change plugs and coils at the same time.

Where are you located? Someone local could maybe offer you assistance.

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

Im in upstate NY

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

try pm'ing forum member nycgps. I believe he rents out a rotary compression tester for a small fee. Possibly offer assistance?

Johnvx1k

iTrader: (3)

I'm sure you have the less powerful starter but if you really want to check just jack up the driver side and look for the starter. If it says N3H1 then you have the less powerful one. You need N3H1A

I have a 2005 and I got a starter off a 2006 from www.car-part.com. Just look on there and give various places a call. I have had no problems with mine and it was only $70.

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

Well let me ask you this then. I will invest the $$ to buy a set of coils from advanced auto tomorrow and go from there once I figure out how to install them.

But, based on what you saw in my short video there. Could you conclude that the startup in that video is a normal startup, but just has the old/slower starter? Or is it abnormal to your ears.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

Read up on compression loss symptoms, if it will make you feel better. The best we can go by to diagnose is what you tell us.

However, I would put money on it being ignition related.

jamesf

iTrader: (1)

Well, I called a different mazda dealer today, and they as well said that theyd do the compression test, but that they didnt recommend it. I really dont get these dealers lol.

Anyways, I initially tried looking for an upgraded starter to buy. Autozone has 1 for $150 dollars that I want but apparently the manufacturer isnt making it anymore. I add it to my cart and no luck. The only other 1s I can find are $300+. If any one can link me to an upgraded starter that will fit my 05 manual, id appreciate it. Ill keep looking though.

For the time being, I will go to advanced auto, and buy some new ignition coils to put in there. theyre pretty cheap like $30/each there. That will be fine for me because its cheap and will help eliminate possibilities on the starting issue. The Ford dealer replaced the plugs though (they said), so I'm wondering if they put in new coils as well... hopefully it will say on the writeup... I hope they even put in the right sparkplugs... geez.

But I mean, I deffinitely hear the difference how my starter is slower. And Im 100% sure its the original slow one. But even still, even though its the slower one, it should be catching faster right? So I will start with the ignition coils, and work my way to the starter. Ill check the status of my engine warranty and pray to god it at least lasts long enough for me to bring it to mazda and for it to fail and get a new 1 (or not fail and be super strong, lets hope).

Thanks for the advice guys! I am new and I am learning a ton from you all! So keep the info comin!

stx0174

can i replace my 05 starter with an 09 starter?..will they be any different in size or so?...

Johnvx1k

iTrader: (3)

scroll up and look at my post for a possible place to buy a starter. Before I upgraded my starter it took 6 - 8 seconds sometimes to start. I am not saying it is 100% the starter but if you buy one from where I said its only like 50 - 80 bucks. Why not give it a try?