SusieQ69

I just recently purchased my 04 RX8! Being new to this car I have done some research ! It drives fine for the most part but on a few occassions(normally on hot days) I will be driving along and all of the sudden it will do a quick sputter then within about 5 mins it will lose power and the the idle will be very low and cut off!! After like 2 tries it will start back up and run fine!! The CAT has been gutted and I have a new exhaust to put on it! I read that if the cat is clogged it will get to hot and shut down!!! Any other suggestions would greatly be appreciated!! The gutted CAT has not stopped it!!

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Welcome.
Did you get the compression checked?
If not, you should get that done to gauge the health of your engine before sinking more money into it.
Any solid or flashing CEL?
You could get the OBD scanned for free at most auto parts stores.
I don't think that alone would cause your 8 to quit running, but I could be wrong.
Hot start issues are a sign of bad compression.
It could also be a weak fuel pump, but that's a guess.

UnknownJinX

Don't early 8s have a fuel pump/tank(can't remember which) recall?

Anyways, you should really have done research before getting an 8. Checking the compression of an 8 before purchasing is considered mandatory by many here.

If you don't have the compression numbers, get them checked out. Remember, you need a special rotary compression tester; analog ones for pistons won't do crap all. You will have to go to a Mazda dealership, a rotary shop, or a member living near you that has one.

Report back with the numbers with ya.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Based on the description, I'm thinking fuel pump, but please answer the questions posed above for a better guess.

gwilliams6

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

gwilliams6

Sounds like a fuel pump , ignition problem, and/or engine compression problem . Not uncommon in an RX8 that is 13 years old.


And yes you need that rotary-specific compression test done (preferably before purchase) but certainly now.


New owners thread, a must read (all of it): https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/


There are a lot of maintenance items to check off for any 2004 RX8 after 13 years. What is your mileage? Is the engine original ? Do you have service records for the car ?


RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.


every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.
__________________

gwilliams6

[QUOTE=UnknownJinX;4828907]Don't early 8s have a fuel pump/tank(can't remember which) recall?

2004-2008 RX8s had a recent recall to replace the fuel pump rings (in both sides of our saddle-style fuel tanks) and also replace the fuel tank outer insulation pads (as the exhaust runs through the middle of the tank). Heat building up over time was deteriorating the pump rings, causing leaking and presenting a fire hazard. Better insulation pads are part of the same recall to reduce the heat transferred into the tank and pump. (this also was a contributing cause of Series 1 fuel pump failures)

The Series 1 fuel pump itself is not replaced by this recall, neither is the actual saddle-style fuel tank replaced. Just the rings and the insulation padding are replaced.