2005 rx8 sitting 2 years +
 

Hello ,

I just purchases a 05 and the car was garaged but the owner passed away the car has been siting dead for at least 2 years.. It has 65,000 miles but I haven't tried to start it
Anyone have a procedure for rotary that have sat like this? I don't want to cause damage and obviously I know about the fuel... Thank you for your response..

Welcome.
First thing I would do would be to get the battery checked.
If you try for start it with a weak battery, you will likely flood it.
If it's good, be sure the terminals are clean and tight, and it is fully charged.
If you are able, pull the plugs and be sure they look good.
Check to see that all the fuses look good.
If you do get it started, let it idle for a while and get good and warm.
Then go fill it with fresh premium gas with the engine running.
If it is still running after that, then go take a nice easy drive and see if any CELs or other warning lights pop up.

2005 rx8 sitting 2 years +
 

Also, make sure there are no critters in your intake/ exhaust!
A fresh oil and lube change would be my next step, after it fires up, along with everything else big c mentioned

Ha! Yes. I didn't think of that. :)
Also relating to your point, it would be a good idea to check the cabin air filters behind the glove box to be sure mice didn't nest there, a common problem.
Good call.

Change all fluids thats for sure.

In addition to the other advice given, I'd remove the spark plugs and the fuel pump fuse, then squirt some oil into each rotor housing and turn the engine over a few revs to ensure the innards are lubricated before trying to start it.

colon beat me to it. I started my old n/a fc after sitting for years and had no issue. I put it on a jump box of course but she fired right up. Good Luck

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/


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

Generating Power at Full Throttle
• Ignition Coils
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• Engine Compression
• E-Shaft Sensor (ESS)
• Air Filter
• Intake Valving
• Throttle Body
• Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF)
• Fuel Pump
• Fuel Injectors
• Catalytic Converter (Cat)

Keeping the Engine at a Cruise
• Ignition Coils
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• Engine Compression
• E-Shaft Sensor (ESS)
• Intake Valving
• Throttle Body
• Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF)
• Fuel Pump
• Fuel Injectors
• Front O2 sensor
• Catalytic Converter (Cat)

Keeping the Engine at an Idle
• Ignition Coils
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• Engine Compression
• E-Shaft Sensor (ESS)
• Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF)
• Front O2 sensor
• Catalytic Converter (Cat)
• Intake Vaccum

RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.


every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.