sologuy3

Hi all,
I own a 2003 6SPD MT RX8, 148k km (91k miles) on the stock engine,modifications done are AEM intake and a new free flowing catalytic converter, replaced fuel pump around 40k km ago. Plus Borla exhaust, coilovers, upgraded radiator. Last oil change was around 3k km (1800 miles) ago, Coils, leads and plugs changed 12k km ago (7.5k miles), coolant and oil levels are good, no trouble.

Bad experience today overall:

When I started the car, the car was shaking violently while the air pump was running, this has happened once before (around a week ago) and i searched around and decided it was most probably the motor mounts which definitely need replacing since they've done 148k km. The car was cold and I hadn't started it in around 4 days.

The no starting issue has happened around 3 times now, basically :
If i start the car within 5 minutes of turning it off, it starts after cranking for around 3 seconds. After around 5 minutes, it cranks steadily but the engine does not start. First time this happened I managed to start it on the second go.

Second time I was stranded at a gas station, but i managed to get i started by push starting it and cranking at the same time. This is where i figured that to reproduce the issue I would have to wait for around 5 minutes to start it.

Third time was 5 minutes ago when got home.

Knowing all the details, its probably low compression and i will probably get a compression test done on Saturday, but I would just like to confirm with you all since I am still in denial.
Thanks.

Startup is similar to this https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...please-254993/ maybe fouled plugs? I'm clawing at straws here

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Not following the failure case.

It appears that it starts fine up to about 5 minutes after you shut down, but if you let it sit longer than that, it is a PITA to start. Is this correct?

My first thought, even if above is not correct, is to clean a few things. Start with MAF and ESS. DIY's are included in the congrats thread below. A low compression hot start is kind of an immediate problem, not a wait 5 minute problem. Any smoke when it starts?

sologuy3

Hey, thanks for the response.
Yup that's correct. I've cleaned the MAF recently, I'll do the ESS and report back.
Thanks for your help.

sologuy3

cleaned maf and ess, no luck.
I think its a coolant seal leak? I think i'm smelling coolant from the exhaust and my reservoir is emptying very quickly. also seeing pulses of white smoke from the exhaust on startup.

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Yeah,

That was the second or third choice. The key was the fact that it did not do it right away, but did it after 5 minutes.

For a limp mode, only put the radiator cap on to the first stop, this will leave the cooling system unpressurized, and will limit the water that is forced in. Keep a close eye on the temp gauge though, the pressure helps raise the boiling point of the water.

Compression test may confirm. If leak is other then in compression section, it may not show up. Where are you located?

sologuy3

Thanks for your help Green. I'll do that for now, got gauges inside to monitor temp.
I'm hoping compression test seals the deal, but is there any other way I can confirm? any additives I can add to the coolant to test for specific smoke?
I'm located in Melbourne, mazfix and RX8 Specialties are the main rotary shops here so I'll be heading there. Pretty good prices too.
MAZFIX

sologuy3

FYI it won't start from cold now either
I checked for any milkyness in the dipstick, no signs.