Hi folks. Just got my first rx-8.
I'm a noob with this type of engine. Bought the car last weekend and have gotten familiar with the starting and shutting down sequences. It's just had a rebuild with the previous owner with only 2k miles on the new engine. However on Friday night I may have done something stupid. I didn't realise you had to actually move the car when starting it. I thought you just had to get it hot. Also I didnt realise you had to get it to half way hot before revving the engine. Long story short. I started it properly. But revved it a lot (new car syndrome) on the drive. Not sure if it was halfway temp. Then shut it off properly. Now the engine management light is on. I emailed the previous owner and he says he may have not removed the light from the last time he flooded it. So now I dont know if I stupidly damaged it. Or if its left over code. Drives perfectly still btw. Thanks for any help.

 

1st: Welcome
2nd: Read the new owners thread, then re-read it about 12 times NO really, read this!
3rd: If all of the ignition components on your car are healthy you can start and stop your engine all day long at any temp. there is no special start or stop procedure with these cars, however just like all cars you should not rev it to the moon until it is at operation temp.
4th: If the CEL is on have the code read
5th: Have fun and enjoy the car

 

Welcome to the club, congrats on your new 8! Highly doubt any damage was done. You are well advised to pick up an OBD2 scan tool. I just use a $20 one I got off Ebay with the Torque phone app. Most the time this comes on it's usually nothing serious but it's still good to know what the code is in case it is serious.

 

Seriously?? You make it sound like starting and shutting down a nuclear reactor. It’s just this kind of negative Internet nonsense that helped keep folks away from this wonderful car. There are no “starting and shutting down sequences”.

Waiting for the engine to warm before redlining it? That’s good advice for all cars. I let mine warm for a few minutes first thing in the morning, but that’s by no means a mandatory. Start her up and drive right away, if you like. The only thing you have to remember is to not start her when up cold and immediately turn her off; that risks flooding the engine. I’ve owned mine for over 13 years now and I’ve done that - flooded the engine - exactly, let’s see… uh, ZERO times. I would never even consider buying a car that required starting and shutting down sequences, let alone follow them!
🙄