I got a 2007 rx8 with 75k miles on it. This fall, it overheated, I parked it as I didn't have time to look at it. Started looking at it in the Spring trying to start it to move it and I burned out the starter. Replaced the started and it would only crank and not turn over. After multiple attempts I thought possibly the used started I replaced it with wasn't working. I bought a new one, still the same issue. Then read a blog about it flooding. I removed the fuel pump fuse, removed the spark plugs, and disconnected the air advance (I think that's what it is called) and cranked it to clear out the fuel, reconnect the everything but the fuel, cranked it. Then connected the fuel...and it still won't start, plus the started stared smoking. Good times.

Thoughts? I'm almost at the point where I'm just gonna sell it as I am that frustrated.

 

You could make sure it's got good compression so you're not chasing down something and blowing money when it turns out to be the engine it's self. 75K is close to the stock engine's life. As for the stater crank the engine 5 to 7 seconds at a time and let the starter cool down holding it longer will cause the stater to go out again.

 

@bubbadog, many engines go longer than 75k. I'd rule out other issues and do more research before assuming the engine is blown and spending any more money.

If it overheated sounds like your coolant system is having issues. Check this video out, sounds like something similar might be going on with your car.


Also, before buying anything else I'd highly suggest doing a quick search in the series 1 tech forum and if you don't find the answer you are looking for, repost your thread there. I am sure something similar like this has been encountered before.

 

First of all, don't crank it for more than 10 seconds at a time. Crank for 10 seconds, then wait for about 10 seconds before you try again. These things have a huge amount of current going through them, so naturally they get hot.

You are also probably killing your battery this way. Do you have a battery tender?

I would do a leak down test to see if the engine is leaking coolant since you overheated. See if coolant is coming out of any hoses or connections. If there is coolant getting into the combustion chamber, you have to replace the engine - you left it for a few months, so your rotors and other iron parts are probably rusted at this point.

 

Pull it or push it down a hill (jump start). It should start up and it may be easier to diagnose once you hear it run and see if your coolant drops. Then you'll know if you blew a coolant seal.

 

How did the car overheat in the first place? If you're really low on coolant or out, you may have a water jacket seal leak. Also, if your plugs are fouled the car will not start easily. If they are charred try first wire brushing them lightly.

Did you check the basics?
-Getting fuel?
-Getting spark?
-Fuses okay?
-Battery needs to be practically fully charged otherwise the car will not start easily

Saw no mention of this.

 

So many things at one time! Ok so....it just started overheating and the coolant was spewing out, I thought the fan went out, so it sat. I do have a battery tender and have left it on while trying to start it. I am only doing 10 secs if not less. How do I check compression and spark on this bad boy?

 

Also, how do I check if it is getting fuel? It does have coolant....btw.

 

I also don’t know how to use this forum, so bare with me. How do I do a leak down test? Although, it won’t start, so not sure I should do this until after it starts.

 

Where is the coolant coming out of? Did you fix it? I wouldn't try starting it until you fix the coolant leak.

Compression test should be done with a rotary-specific compression tester, but if you don't have one, there are some ways to guess it, like having an analog compression tester and see how the needle is bouncing(you might want a slow-mo camera for this), or listen for the pulses with a spark plug removed from each rotor housing.

You can check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge and the leak down test with a coolant system pressure kit. Both can be rented/borrowed at some auto parts stores.