Hi. 2009 RX. Labours to start. On open road ok. Changed spark plugs, tried turbo swith, no change. what could be prob? Denise

 

In order of most likely:

Failing ingition coils
Failing plug wires
Weak battery
Weak starter
Failing engine compression


No idea what "turbo" you are referencing though, unless you actually have a turbo installed. If you do have a turbo, then it could be a whole host of other problems. No RX-8 had a factory turbo though, so I'm guessing you don't.

 

No turbo was fitted. Just a turbo saver switch, made no difference so I disconnected it. Slight rasp sound when I start it. Can feel a flat spot when I get going. But on open road 100 percent. frustrating. new plugs...what should the next step be. compression test says all fine and dyno test cant pick anything up....

 

I provided a list in the the prior post.

New plugs don't mean jack if the ignition coils or plug wires feeding them are dead. Ignition coils, plugs, and wires need to be replaced every 30k max, sometimes sooner.

What were your compression scores? It will also give you your starter's RPM to know if that is the problem. If you didn't get 6 individual pressure numbers and a cranking RPM, then you don't actually know what your compression is.

 

would a faulty fuel pump cause a laboured start?

 

It's possible, though fuel pump problems tend to manifest at high load before anywhere else, with the sole exception of if you have an actual fuel leak from the pressure line. Since you haven't mentioned a huge reak of fuel, I assume that you don't have a leak.

 

going to check all leads, list u provided. my mileage is 75 000kilometers. dont think ever been replaced. Mising my babies spunk

 

That would do it.

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...4/#post4533701
Has information about our ignition, how critical it is, dyno proof of how much power you can lose with just ~48,000km old ignition, what all starts failing if you ignore the ignition, and replacement options for your coils.

 

No petrol fume smell. Frustrating because I took RX to mazda agents..twice they couldnt fix it! Im in South Africa.

 

Mazda dealerships even in places that have lots of RX-8s are generally still ignorant about our cars. Best to come here for your information and diagnosis.

 

Yep! They fearfully wonderfully made. Love my Rx. going to go through your list. Glad I joined here this eve. Thank you so much.