My RX-8 is sitting dead in the driveway
Felix the Wankel!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco East Bay
Character, Features, or Just Good Old Insanity...
Yes, the flooding is a rotary engine "feature" with a rich tradition, and the trans makes no difference. Many old timers will say that true sports car has its quirks. Back before Fiat, Triumph, and MG got driven from the US market due to an abundance of undocumented "features" and "character" they could keep you busy all weekend with their distinctive personalities.
So, someday when I'm in the Shady Hills Old Farts Retirement Villa, I'll be the guy telling all the stories about being able to magically turn Day into Night with my 8
BTW, I'll take flooding over 1960/1970s Lucas electronics any days. Hence the really old joke of:
Q: Why do the British drink warm beer?
A: Lucas builds their refrigerators.
Rare photo of two flooded 8s simultaneously starting in the distance. Probably had the spark plugs replaced later in the day.
So, someday when I'm in the Shady Hills Old Farts Retirement Villa, I'll be the guy telling all the stories about being able to magically turn Day into Night with my 8
BTW, I'll take flooding over 1960/1970s Lucas electronics any days. Hence the really old joke of:
Q: Why do the British drink warm beer?
A: Lucas builds their refrigerators.
Rare photo of two flooded 8s simultaneously starting in the distance. Probably had the spark plugs replaced later in the day.
Last edited by RotaMotion; Dec 30, 2004 at 11:36 PM.
Can't Wait Til Spring
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Kingston, ON
Deep,
I can confirm that this works. I actually did get my own flooded GT started using your procedure, but of course with the fuel pump fuse out, well, it starved to death. My 8 didn't like that and I had to try the procedure a multiple times until eventually the batt was getting a little sad. Had it flatbedded to Mazda and they started it using the de-choke procedure BUT they replaced the catalytic converter. Like mine, yours might be a little bunged up after having that much fuel through it and it might be advisable to have yours replaced too, for both fuel economy and anti-pollution purposes.
Pete
I can confirm that this works. I actually did get my own flooded GT started using your procedure, but of course with the fuel pump fuse out, well, it starved to death. My 8 didn't like that and I had to try the procedure a multiple times until eventually the batt was getting a little sad. Had it flatbedded to Mazda and they started it using the de-choke procedure BUT they replaced the catalytic converter. Like mine, yours might be a little bunged up after having that much fuel through it and it might be advisable to have yours replaced too, for both fuel economy and anti-pollution purposes.
Pete
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
I'd like to add this: it's possible that you can flood it without it even starting.
This is what happened to me when I tried to start my 8 in what was (apparently) -38c. Yes, normally I wouldn't try this but I have started it in -33c at least 6 times in the last 2 winters. But the temp for my city was listed at -34 on the net (not -38 which apparently was the real temp).
The car cranked fairly well, but it would not start. After the first 8 second crank, I knew it wasn't going to start so I left it alone. ... and it never started again, even after 5 days and 0c degree temps. I tried the deflood procedures, pulling the fuel pump fuse, charging the battery and nothing worked. I had to get it towed to the dealer.
I haven't had any other flooding problems.
This is what happened to me when I tried to start my 8 in what was (apparently) -38c. Yes, normally I wouldn't try this but I have started it in -33c at least 6 times in the last 2 winters. But the temp for my city was listed at -34 on the net (not -38 which apparently was the real temp).
The car cranked fairly well, but it would not start. After the first 8 second crank, I knew it wasn't going to start so I left it alone. ... and it never started again, even after 5 days and 0c degree temps. I tried the deflood procedures, pulling the fuel pump fuse, charging the battery and nothing worked. I had to get it towed to the dealer.
I haven't had any other flooding problems.
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: canada
Im shocked by the people who could not start their car,mine has been sitting for 2months in fort mcmurray we had a solid week of -40 and when it finally hit -5 with a boost for about 15 min..i got it started...I think that is great...I have a celica also that did not start after 2 days unplugged in -40...Not to many vehicule start if you don't plug them in at those temps.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: TX
Still not working
I didn't follow the tip about leaving the keys with someone else. My RX-8 was moved but never really driven. I tried to start it and the engine just makes a clicking noise. I'm sure it's flooded. What is the best way to unflood the engine?
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
This old post helped me out BIG TIME. Thanks Deep Blue.
I was unable to get the car started for the past couple of days. It was in hibernation for the winter. I removed the fuel pump fuse, and cranked the car. I got very little black smoke. I than put the fuse back in , charged the battery, and it worked.
You got me out of a big jam. I owe you a drink.
-Pete
I was unable to get the car started for the past couple of days. It was in hibernation for the winter. I removed the fuel pump fuse, and cranked the car. I got very little black smoke. I than put the fuse back in , charged the battery, and it worked.
You got me out of a big jam. I owe you a drink.
-Pete
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
This old post helped me out BIG TIME.
I was unable to get the car started for the past couple of days. It was in hibernation for the winter. I removed the fuel pump fuse, and cranked the car. I got very little black smoke. I than put the fuse back in , charged the battery, and it worked.
You got me out of a big jam. I owe you a drink deep blue.
-Pete
I was unable to get the car started for the past couple of days. It was in hibernation for the winter. I removed the fuel pump fuse, and cranked the car. I got very little black smoke. I than put the fuse back in , charged the battery, and it worked.
You got me out of a big jam. I owe you a drink deep blue.
-Pete
Extraordinary Engineering
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,733
Likes: 14
From: Burls On
Holy old thread!
Rebelde, you'll have to share some information about the vehicle.
TSB here http://www.finishlineperformance.com...5-08-1883f.pdf
Rebelde, you'll have to share some information about the vehicle.
TSB here http://www.finishlineperformance.com...5-08-1883f.pdf
Extraordinary Engineering
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,733
Likes: 14
From: Burls On
Rotary engines require a specific type of compression tester.
You may just have to follow the de-flood procedure
But to get help people will want the history of the car. Model year, mileage, maintenance history etc.
Plus your location
Look through the technical section for the stickies
For series 1 (2004 - 2008) the forum is here https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-performance-21/
the first three sub forums contain much of what you need to know. Yeah, it's a lot!
Good luck and happy reading
You may just have to follow the de-flood procedure
But to get help people will want the history of the car. Model year, mileage, maintenance history etc.
Plus your location
Look through the technical section for the stickies
For series 1 (2004 - 2008) the forum is here https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-performance-21/
the first three sub forums contain much of what you need to know. Yeah, it's a lot!
Good luck and happy reading
Last edited by DarkBrew; Oct 28, 2010 at 10:46 AM.
May This Thread Never Die ...
I haven't flooded yet, but I'm sure it'd gonna happen sooner or later. Definitely going to see some cold starts, and if I flood it cold, man I'll go into hysterics.
Thanks for this post Deep Blue, you've given hope to many people!
I haven't flooded yet, but I'm sure it'd gonna happen sooner or later. Definitely going to see some cold starts, and if I flood it cold, man I'll go into hysterics.
Thanks for this post Deep Blue, you've given hope to many people!
Registered
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Chestermere AB
I was close to flooding the car last night (Nov,23,2010) its -29'c (-20’F) in here in Calgary
on the last turnover before the battery was about to died it fired up
Now I have a plug in parking stall for the block heater which should help
I also keep a set of jump leads in the trunk
on the last turnover before the battery was about to died it fired up
Now I have a plug in parking stall for the block heater which should help
I also keep a set of jump leads in the trunk
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Went on a business trip last week, and the car sat in the cold for 5 days. During this time, my girlfriend started it to move it...and of course only let it run for 30 seconds or so while doing so. I came back Friday, tried to start it.... it rumbled, sputtered, idled extremely rough....then died. Since then, I've not been able to even get the slightest bit of engine compression.
So it's now Sunday, I'm sitting here starting at my $50K investment scratching my head. It's Thanksgiving, so Mazda Assist told me not to bother towing it until tomorrow morning when the dealership is open.
I'm guessing a few of you have, and will have this happen, as apparently it is the earmark of the rotary engine. Don't get me wrong, I love the car....but this is something that would give me thoughts of handing this car back to Mazda (rather than silly horsepower items). If I didn't have alternate transport, or needed to catch a flight when this happened, I'd be in some serious hot water.
A word to all of you Canadians (and northern Americans) that are going to be cold starting your RX-8 in the coming weeks...be prepared for this, and follow the 5 minute start rule.
I've tried starting it for 3 days now, and no dice. Tried yanking the fuel pump fuse, waited a day, still no dice. If anyone else has suggestions outside of yanking out the spark plugs to dry them (I'm not touching this engine, it's too tempermental as it is), I'd like to hear it.
Thx.
So it's now Sunday, I'm sitting here starting at my $50K investment scratching my head. It's Thanksgiving, so Mazda Assist told me not to bother towing it until tomorrow morning when the dealership is open.
I'm guessing a few of you have, and will have this happen, as apparently it is the earmark of the rotary engine. Don't get me wrong, I love the car....but this is something that would give me thoughts of handing this car back to Mazda (rather than silly horsepower items). If I didn't have alternate transport, or needed to catch a flight when this happened, I'd be in some serious hot water.
A word to all of you Canadians (and northern Americans) that are going to be cold starting your RX-8 in the coming weeks...be prepared for this, and follow the 5 minute start rule.
I've tried starting it for 3 days now, and no dice. Tried yanking the fuel pump fuse, waited a day, still no dice. If anyone else has suggestions outside of yanking out the spark plugs to dry them (I'm not touching this engine, it's too tempermental as it is), I'd like to hear it.
Thx.
Secondly, your story was virtually exactly the same as mine save for my wife having used my car while gone and didn't refuel. What was left in the tank was just enough to flood, but once unflooded, there was not gas there to start up.
Moral: don't let your wife/gf/significant other ever touch your car.
Call me Thread killer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay area Florida
Thank You
Holy old thread!
Rebelde, you'll have to share some information about the vehicle.
TSB here http://www.finishlineperformance.com...5-08-1883f.pdf
Rebelde, you'll have to share some information about the vehicle.
TSB here http://www.finishlineperformance.com...5-08-1883f.pdf
Dark Brew,
Thank you for this post. I been working all day trying different tricks and tips. I will try this on Tuesday when I have my next day off.
All the other things did not work. So I will update this Tuesday.
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