This forum has been a huge help for me in the past with my car and I am thankful for it. Unfortunately my car has been down the last few months unable to start and is in need of some attention. I just don't have the time to work on it myself so I am looking for somewhere to bring it that has experience with rotaries. I am a little scared about bringing it to a Mazda dealership just from all the horror stories I've heard about them. But I won't rule them out if someone can recommend a good one with rotary experience.

The car is a 2004 GT 6spd with 90K original miles no mods other than Borla catback and I took very good care of it. The car had some symptoms leading it up to it not starting. I just need someone to diagnose it properly. Can anyone recommend a good place to bring it? I live in CT but am willing to bring it surrounding states if need be, just as long as it's not to far.

 

is it flooded? maintence history? what starter is in it? is it a stick? need more info please. did you ever replace the fuel pump?

 

It's 6spd manual, original starter and original fuel pump/filter.

Here is a link I posted a little while ago about the symptoms it was having.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...-start-250028/

 

sounds like a weak battery and the slow starter. also sounds flooded or dead. in your other thread you mentioned a comp test. was this done with a rotary tester? have you checked the cat? you could pull start it to see if it will fire.

 

IR Performance in Metuchen NJ.

https://www.facebook.com/irpllc

 

They didn't use an actual mazda compression tester, they did the PSI method which I've read does work. I haven't checked the cat, unfortunately I don't have any room where I live to work on it at all or else I would check it out myself. I haven't tried to deflood it either. I've never had any problems with it flooding since I've owned it.

 

clean all sensors, check plugs and cat. if you can get it to pa i would be happy to help, just not this week as im super busy. i would try pull starting it. key on, clutch in, 2nd gear, get to a good roll and pop the clutch

 

I know that Speed1 in Allentown gets quite a bit of business from the New England states.

 

Well to my surprise it was flooded, I got her started today. Very happy about it. Took forever and might have semi fried the starter in the process. I followed one of the DIY methods of deflooding, was just about to give up and then she fired up and very rough though. So it seems she still has compression but who knows how much more, it has 90k on it. I plan on keeping the car but I have to be honest it's rather frightening knowing how hard it is to find someone to work on it properly.

 

If you want to make the trip to NJ I would be more than happy to assist you in the future.

These cars flood easily, especially when they get up there in mileage. Easy trick is to rev the car to 3000 rpm, hold it there while you kill the key, then floor it as the car dies. This helps burn up any fuel in the engine and prevents flooding.

A compression test with a rotary-specific tester is really the only way to get accurate numbers. Start with the basics: plugs, wires, and coils. I only use oem spark plugs and the updated Mazda coils. I use NGK wires.

A good battery and starter is essential as a slow cranking motor can easily flood. If you haven't already done so, get yourself the 2kw updated starter. It cranks faster for easier starts. There are a few threads on cheaper alternatives than the mazda oem one. Check your battery terminals. About half the 8s that come into the shop have worn out terminals that don't tighten securely. Mazda only sells the terminal with the fuse box. Get some good quality top post terminals from the auto parts store. Hope this helps.

Ihor @ IRP