Trinads

Any help appreciated. Quick run down: 130k miles on original motor, 6 sp GT. Noticed mild hot start issues for past several years. I'm good about changing fluids, coils/plugs regularly. I know exhaust/cat is bad, but clear from blockage minus a little honey comb rattling in the muffler. Drive it pretty much daily. One day it just wouldn't start. After a couple tries, it managed to start but was barely running, had zero response to gas pedal, sounded like crap to be honest, so I immediately shut the car off. Since then the car won't start anymore.
I had the starter tested, was good. I had the battery tested, and it was bad. I replaced it. The car is trying to start but won't. In addition I also have noticed a very small/slow coolant leak. Haven't located the source yet.
I love this car, I really don't want to get rid of it, but I don't want to dump thousands and thousands into it either.
I live in Yuba city, about 45 mintes north of Sacramento. Any chance there's a reliable mechanic around here or fellow member that can help?
Let's say the car needs a rebuild, plus new exhaust, will need a new clutch too but can manage thousands of miles. Is it better to get rid of the car? (If so better to part out or where do u even sell a broken car) or to spend the money and get it fixed? I have another car so it isn't my daily driver anymore. I can save as I go but just don't know if it's worth it

New Yorker

Let's assume the worst case for a moment, that your engine needs to be replaced. That will cost you what, $3K - 5K? If you enjoy owning a fun sports car, the question then becomes "what else can I get for that $3K - $5K?"

I love the RX-8 and have always thought it's a tremendous bargain, considering all you get. So, if it were my 8, I'd opt to replace the engine and have a nice, mechanically like-new car for just a few thousand bucks.

Just my 2 cents.

rotaryifidel

I am facing this same issue, We come to love our 8sI have invested into my car and thinking i will get the rebuil.At least you will know that you will have a car with a like new engine.

soundawake

I know that when it comes the time that my engine fails I will rebuild the engine. And it's way more expensive to get a good rebuild here in Australia - more like 8 or 9 grand AUD. But I will still rebuild it. No way I'd part it out.

TheRedRotor

Hey guys need some help with my 8 not starting. Last year when i put her away for the winter it stopped starting but i ended up replacing the starter and we were good to go. This year i put it away and it stopped starting again. In the summer 2016 i replaced the ignition coils and spark plugs and just 10 minutes ago the spark plug wires. Its cranking and i can hear the rotors spinning but still wont start up. After the attempted starts i can smell gas fumes so its really trying to start i know it is. I took out the spark plugs, cleaned them, cranked for 20 seconds and with the gas fully pressed and then put them back in. What am i missing? any and all help is appreciated, thanks guys.

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

Do all the other functions work? Radio, dash lights, etc?

Is the red key icon flashing?

.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

Smelling the gas could be fuel pump or fuel pressure issue. Check to make sure you're getting fuel to the engine.

gwilliams6

Any internal combustion engine needs the same three things to start: proper fuel, air, spark

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...t-here-222584/

Starting the Engine
• Starter
• Battery
• Engine Compression
• Grounding Wires
• Ignition Coils
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• Fuel Pump
• Fuel Injectors

Trinads

im gonna keep the car. Thanks for the replies. So I had a little headway, I had 3 extra coils so I swapped those out, cleaned the plugs. And managed to get the car started, but won't stay running. It immediately shuts off. I too also smell a great deal of fuel from the exhaust and a lot of white smoke. I started the deflooding procedure just in case it is flooded. I also have ordered new plugs and coils/wires. Im praying that it will start after I swap the plugs/coils, even though the ones on there are only a few months old. If that doesn't work I'll check the fuel pump, although u need a special tool to unscrew it? Any ideas where I can find one?
If that doesn't work than the car will unfortunately b put under a car cover stored in a garage until I can save some dough to have a mechanic look at it. Any recommendations near Sacramento area?

TheRedRotor

yes all of those are working and sometimes the key light flashes at me while I'm driving it if I open the door to let someone out of the caf or something. It'll stay on until I shut off and restart the car but that's a seperate issue

TheRedRotor

starter is new, plugs coils and wires are new and battery was fully charged before I tried to start so I don't think battery is an issue it had enough power to move the starter motor because the engine is cranking. So this leaves fuel injectors, fuel pump, compression and grounding wires. Kind of dumb suggestion but my garage is not insulated and I live in Canada could the weather be a factor?

Loki

iTrader: (1)

RedRotor: please start your own thread, this is going to get confusing trying to help both you and Trinads. Weather is not a factor until you get into the -30s. Should be fine.

It's not the injectors, they don't all up and fail. Compression certainly a possibility, but that also doesn't happen overnight. Did it have trouble starting when warm previously? or no difference warm or cold?

Silly question: are the spark plugs connected to the right coils?
I'd look at the fuel pump as the next logical step. Thought if your spark plugs come out wet with fuel, you know it's getting that.

rotaryifidel

Check all your fuses, just got mine going.It was a 10amp taillight fuse.
"yep i know" who would have thought that a burnt out rear 02 harness could could blow a 10amp taillight fuse.

TheRedRotor

I will start a new thread when I get home form work and maybe we can get to the bottom of this, the spark plugs have no reason to be connected improperly because I replaced the wires one by one ensuring they were wired properly

TheRedRotor

How could a tail light fuse prevent the car from starting?? And also I started mine up one day, made sure it was warm, shut it down and left it for a few weeks then went to start it again and this is occurring, not sure if a fuse could've blown while it was just sitting there. But I'm not licensed yet so I'm not going to act like I know everything

rotaryifidel

I am just telling what happend to my 8,fuse blown and replaced and started up as before.

TheRedRotor

So it wouldn't start while the fuse was blown?

gwilliams6

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...-video-253169/

https://www.napaonline.com/p/BK_7708001

Lock Technology Gas Tank Fuel Pump Removal Tool - LTI940 - ReStockIt

Black Halo Racing Fuel Pump Ring Tool | Black Halo Racing

Trinads

Thanks for taking the time to providing me those links. I really appreciate it. This weekend I'll b putting yet another new set of plugs & coils. And will try to take my fuel pump out.

gwilliams6

Just be sure your fuel level is low when you remove the pump. Makes it less likely for a fuel spill. And be sure to disconnect the battery, and ground your body against the car (just run your hands over any large metal part of car) so no chance of a spark.

rotaryifidel

It would not fire up at all and it was down to my cat harness getting burnt out and therefore blown the 10amp tail light fuse.I dont know if any previous owner tapped into the loom.