My 2005 automatic rx-8 dies when it slows to idle after running for a few minutes.It has 110,000 miles on it. I changed the pluges and wires about 6 months ago.I just replaced the battery thinking that was the problem but it didnt help. The alternator is good. The car runs perfect and idles good for the first 5 or 10 minutes. Can anyone help me with this problem?

 

The problem is going to be heat related.

Get a compression test at a dealer, since the worst case is compression loss (which gets worse as the engine heats up and the housings expand away from the rotors, making it harder for the apex seals to keep sealing enough)

Other possibilites include a failing front O2 sensor, vacuum leak, MAF failure, and fuel pump failure.

 

I Forgot to add that once it dies at idle it wont start back for a while.Does this narrow it down any? And that it still has all of its power.

 

If the problem is the seals would my car not have power loss also?

 

Compression loss problems ALWAYS manifest at idle, hot starts, and low rpm before they manifest anything unusual at high RPM. This is because the rotary GAINS compression as the RPMs increase.

It is very typical to someone to complain "how can my compression be low!?! It still pulls strong at high RPM!"

 

the people at Pep Boys did a fluid test and they said my engine has leaks so that means i have low compression does this mean that my seals are bad? what would be cheaper and/or better? Put a rebulit engine in or rebuild mine. Like i said it only has a little over a 100,000 miles on it and i have took care of it.

 

LWS,

No one can answer that question. It's a personal choice really and a risk none the less.

If you choose to rebuild your engine, you dont really know what condition everything is in until you choose to tear it apart. How will you even know if the parts you are looking at can be re used? Do you know how to use a micrometer? Do you own one? Do you have the proper guages and tools you will need to complete this task? Do you know the proper torque specs and order in which they need to be done? Do you know all the clearancing limits?

The only point i am trying to get across is that more people lose their RX8 because they choose to rebuild when they have no idea what they are getting into. It goes from a build thread to a F/S thread.

If you are confident in your mechanical abilities then by all means tear it down and see where you are.

If not, purchase one from a reputable source such as Mazmart or so many others and have it installed by a professional.

Hope this helps.

Travis