2004 automatic with ~3000 miles on rebuild. The car cold starts fine, and idles/drives fine for about 15 minutes. After that, it dies as soon as you put a load on it (put it in gear at idle, or come to a stop while driving). Once it dies, it will not restart.

I let the car run until it died, then replaced all 4 plugs and tried to start it. It didn't start, so I pulled both leading plugs. Both were clean and dry.

Today, I replaced the entire fuel pump assembly with an airtex unit fr Advance Auto Parts. Nothing has changed. The car will not restart once it dies. It is getting spark, and the fuel pump is priming, but it still will not start. What do I need to check next?

 

It would be easier to help you if you kept all of your issues in one thread. The problems could be related.

 

A dragging starter shouldn't be at all related to the car cranking fine but not getting fuel.

 

Bump. Any suggestions?

I have spark, starter and battery are strong, there is fuel pressure at the rail, the cat is hollow, and compression is good.

 

Have you tested the coils? They are not typically replaced with a new engine and tend to wear out every 20-30K miles. The wires should be replaced with the coils.

 

The coils and wires were replaced about six months ago. I am getting spark from the leading coils.

 

Bump. Any more ideas?

 

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

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

 

Compression Test Time

 

Compression sounds strong, but I haven't tested it. Would low compression cause it to die at idle?

 

Look at what I posted above under Keeping the Engine at Idle ! Yes, low compression can cause it to die at idle, along with the other items listed. Without a proper rotary engine compression test you are just guessing at the true health of your engine. Sorry but you can not tell the compression of your engine by its sound.

 

Ok, compression test is next. If it's low, the rebuilder has some explaining to do. Thre hasn't been 3000 miles put on this rebuild yet.

 

Yes some rebuilds have been dead on arrival or soon afterwards from rebuilders using worn parts or from rebuilders using poor assembly techniques and incorrect tolerances. Other rebuilds have died from too much sealant (used during engine assembly) getting into the cooling system and clogging it, causing engine overheating.

Hopefully your rebuild is ok, but that compression test will help tell the story.

 

Even bumps of 5psi and a cumulative pressure of 35psi. It's safe to say this motor is bad. She's looking into a replacement now. Thanks for the help, everyone.