Went to start up my car after sitting for about 2 days, put the key in the ignition, turned the key. the engine didn’t turn over, no ticking noise no nothing also didn’t hear fuel pumps turn on. Took the key out of the ignition and thought to myself “what the hell? That’s weird” put the key back in but didn’t turn it. As soon as key went into the ignition the fans turned on and the smell of gas filled the air. I Immediately took keys out of ignition, popped the hood, gas smell got stronger. Freaked the hell out! Took out battery to be safe. Still smells like gas. A minute later fuel is pouring out of the intake what the hell is going on????

 

Wow - that's a new one for me. Describe the last couple of weeks with respect to your car's daily use and last few maintenance items. What year and model RX-8?

 

First thing comes to mind is the evap line. Maybe to much fuel pressure cause by plugged injector or bad fuel regulator. ??? I dunno that is a new one

 

None of this make sense. It would take a long time for the car to pump enough fuel to fill and pour through the intake. So that fuel was in there since the last time you drove it. The way injectors are placed they would fill the engine first, not backwash through the intake. Also injectors need to cycle continuously to continue feeding fuel... you would have heard that.

I guess start taking the intake apart. Are you sure it's not oil that's coming out?

Also, things turning on with the key not turned sounds fishy. That shouldn't be possible.

 

Sure it didn't blow the fuel line off the fuel rail?

Had the engine ever been replaced?

 

Automatic (wack I know) 2004 rx8, touring I believe, at least that’s what my older brother said. Handed it down to me 2 years ago my 11th grade year of high school and it’s been my daily ever since. Never had major problems with it. About 147,000 miles on the dash but it had a rebuild covered by Mazda’s warranty at 75,000miles so about 71,000 miles on this engine now. Temp on gauge were always within normal range so was the oil pressure. Always did oil changes every 3,000 miles and made sure the 8 always had oil in her 5w30 full synth btw. Basically on top of all maintenance. Had no issues up until 2 days ago when I tried to start it up and all that happened.

 

First time I put the key in I tried to turn it over but nothing happened, I took it out and second time I put the key in I turned it once to where it’ll turn on the dash, radio, fuel pump etc, but not to the point where I was trying to turn over the engine. I’m also positive that it was gas pouring out of the intake and not oil, the liquid was clear, intense smell of gas in the area and I also rubbed my finger against the intake and my finger reeked of gasoline

 

Yea it was rebuilt once at 75,000 miles covered my Mazda, I have another 71,000 miles on this engine. Also I wouldn’t have a clue I was hoping to get some insight here of what it could be to prepare myself for the damages before I take it to this rotary specialist I know, hoping for the best.

 

!!!!!!! Automatic is fine the problem is the oil. This is the wrong kind. You never want to run synthetic oil in the car because it doesnt burn in the combustion chamber. Wrong weight too unless its winter driven. 10W40 conventional always.

 

When you say it's "pouring out of the intake" where exactly is it pouring out of? Did you take the airbox off and it's coming out of the accordion tube? Where, exactly, are you seeing the fuel at?

Yah, this hasn't been found to be true.

 

I've always been told and shown not to use any type of synthetic engine oil unless running a SOHN adapter from our local guru. He says synthetic is better overall for the engine but it comes at a cost if you are running it into the combustion chamber. Doesn't burn correctly and leaves a residue due to the higher level of detergents used. Overall, he said its not a good idea. First, you are spending way too much money due to the need to do frequent oil changes, second, it can be bad for the seals. All of us always use conventional and all our engines work like a charm.

 

Everything is still intact. I didn’t take anything apart beforehand or after. The fuel isn’t leaking from any of the piping or hoses but coming out of the air filter itself

 

That might have been true 10-12 years ago. Oil formulations have evolved since then, specifically to avoid deposits. The oils for which that was true no longer exist. If you're happy with regular oil, stay with regular, they've also evolved (and/or come closer to synthetic). Also 'synthetic' is not a thing. It's a marketing term, but bears no real meaning to the formulation of oil.

Same is true for oil change intervals. Used oil analyses show that some oils maintain good chemistry far longer than the standard 3k. Mobil 1, LiquiMoly.. etc. There are threads on used oil analyses.

More specifically, running the wrong oil probably wouldn't make gas come out of his intake?


Eh. You shouldn't be able to see the filter unless you have an aftermarket intake... can you take a picture?

 

Yes this is true. It wouldn't cause problems like that. Nor is it really pertenent to this discussion but I'll just explain why I think this way and I'll call it a day and not hijack this topic.

Synthetic scares me. I could be wrong but I'm sticking with conventional. These engines all high mile and two were bought with supposed engine problems. Never had a problem once I got them running so from experience with this car I'd always go with conventional. Hell, I even sold two and both sold to different owners and all still have good engines. Coming from a guy who just uses Castrol 10W40 conventional in 4 RX8s.

 

Yeah here it is! poured out from the air filter and onto the tray underneath

 

What do you have tapped into the MAF wires?