Hi guys.

My 8 (55 reg 231) has 31k miles on the clock and has recently had a service. I drive it everyday and I have noticed that it is less keen to start, particularly when cold. So I have set about checking the ignition. I have taken all 4 spark plugs out and have brought some replacements as they are shot (i think they are 20k miles old). Also I have got all the coils and leads out. From what I have read it is a good indication that the coils are failing if there are white burnt marks on the underside.

I have attached a picture of the coils. There are some marks on the coils, is it time for a change? I haven't noticed any misfires but I do have music on loud. Sometimes when the engine is cold and I accelerate I get a CEL flash for a few seconds then it will go out and stay out. I have never had a CEL when the engine is warm. Overall acceleration from 6k-9.5k doesn't seem to be quite as quick as it was. Do you have any advice? Thanks.

 

White spot on the coil doesn't meant anything. You need to get a coil tester.

Read the new and potential owners thread so that you can get a better understanding of the car and the site.

There are plenty of threads that describe lack of power issues. Read through those

 

I don't have one but they aren't particularly expensive.I can't see a suggested model in the intro threads. Any recommendations?

 

Post number 2 in the new members thread:
The BEST way to search.
Use that tool to your advantage using keep words like "coil tester"

 

Brought myself an inductive timing light and sure enough its shown up a fault. No activity on the lead to leading plug 1. Swapped the leads around to verify the lead and L1 still dead. Went to the local auto store and have replaced the coil - surely the cause of the CEL/misfire. Seems more keen to start now although I have noticed that the battery is OEM and will probabily be the next replacement.

 

Good work man.

 

Who are you and what have you done with 9k???



Travis

 

Anyone who can search, learn, take advice, and then troubleshoot and determine the problem is A ok in my book. A lot of long time members here could learn from him.

 

Runs so much better now, feels strong again. Just wonder how I didn't notice?!?

I get the point that RX8Soldier makes that a lot of people new to the forum will just create an account and start spamming with questions. I have read lots of the advice threads since getting the car and a lot before which nearly put me off. Just not the ones that would have helped this weekend before now.

Got a couple other problems to solve this weekend as the coolant sensor is spamming my dashboard ever since the system was flushed and a rattle from the exhaust when its between cold and warm.

 

Butt dynos are really inaccurate, most RX-8 owners don't notice a loss of power. A good way of judging engine performance is to do a 3rd gear pull against another known to be healthy RX-8. I knew I had a problem years ago when I was NA and my buddies Stock RX-8 would pull away from me when I was tuned and such..