Beaverton/Portland area 8's
 

First post to the Forum, looking for folks to go for drives with. I picked up my Silver Grand-Touring package from Royal Moore in Hillsboro last month, can't say how much fun this thing is to drive. I put the K&N intake on it - anyone else done this? It makes the coolest noise at full throttle... Got the strakes and clear markers, just haven't installed them yet, resisting the impulse (for now) to call up MazdaTrix to order the adjustable suspension/Borla exhaust/flywheel/pulleys... E-mail me if you want to get together... Cruize to Battleground/Couger/Yacholt, anyone?... There are some roads up there that are perfect for 2nd gear at 9,000 RPM!

I 8 1 2! :D

BTW - How do I post a photo of my toy in here?

Congrats on the car and welcome.

To post a picture, post a reply and beneath the text box look for the "Attach file" area. Use the browse button to find the file you want to upload and when you click "Submit Replay" the picture is uploading with the message.

Look forward to awesome pictures of an awe inspiring car.

Congrats! I don't get over that way too often but I will be in Illwaco on the 19th through the weekend. Maybe we can put something together...

im around beaverton alot, i work there. live in tigard. glad to hear of another silver in the area. congrats. talk to you soon bout a drive.

A question for members
 

I started the car today, to move it out of my driveway, and it acted like it was going to die, so I blipped the throttle. The engine died, and now it just whirs when I turn the key. Any suggestions before I call the dealer? I thought maybe I flooded it or something, I let it sit for a couple hours and it still won't start. Any help much appreciated!

BTW - spotted a titanium model yesterday in Beaverton, headed N on Murray... looking good!

Call the dealer. This is not something you should have to worry about in a new car. If it's just a whir, I'd guess your solenoid isn't engaging. If it chugging and not starting, I'd say you've computer problems.

I am in Sherwood, but my folks live in Beaverton, it would be cool to meet everyone. BTW, any word on what happened to your 8? Its reports like that which scare me...:(

Hey guys, a bunch of rotary friends are doing the pizza thing tomorow night at th Round Table Pizza. 7pm. CJ

I am planning on being there.:)

I don't know if any of you will read this before 7pm tonight, but I will be there. Looking forward to putting a face with the names on this board. See ya.

I'll be there too. :) Hopefully it'll be a good turnout like last the last meet. CJ

RX-8 - starting problem
 

OK - got my Rex back, thought I'd share some info with y'all:

If you install an aftermarket intake, be careful with your starting procedure. I put a K&N intake on mine (makes a cool sound at full throttle!) but Mazda corporate takes a grim view of this. My car wouldn't start the other day, due to a "flooded" condition, and Mazda denied warranty coverage on the $130 charge to clear the plugs, blaming it on the "cold air intake system (non-stock)" I'm told that you need to let the car warm up completely if you start it, don't just pull it out to wax it and then start it up to just put it away: ESPECIALLY if you give it any gas at all, cuz it fouls the plugs. I feel this is not proper, given the state of the art with CPU's and fuel-injection, but I'll fight it out with my regional Mazda rep.

On a lighter note, I had to drive my other car for 3 days, and I realized how addicted I am to my rotary! Rex's Rock! Let's go drive! Email me back, and we'll set a date and time.

Flooding is a issue, you'll just have to get use to. Warm the car up and you should'nt have any problems. CJ

I will be back in McMinnville this June and again maybe in september. Keep that in mind. I will pull over and chat for other 8's.

Re: RX-8 - starting problem
 

Was that Royal Moore? What a crock. I have a hard time believing the intake had anything to do with this - it can (and does) happen to completly stock cars. Sounds like a red herring to me. I purchased my '8 there, thanks for the warning.

I'm having the Air bag recall done this coming week. I'm going to ask the tech at Power Mazda in Salem what their take on a intake is. CJ

No - I bought the car at Royal Moore, but Mazda Roadside Assistance has the vehicle towed to the nearest dealer, which is the one here in Beaverton. (Mazda Roadside Assistance was very helpful by the way... Long hold time to get through, but the truck was in my driveway within 30 minutes of speaking with the operator.)

Car runs fine, but now the darn "check engine" light is on. I'm having a friend help me trouble shoot tomorrow: I think it may be that the increased airflow is confusing the 02 sensor. Anybody have any input on this? Anyone else have the K&N airfilter installed? All replies appreciated.

See you on the road,

Adam

Adam Ant, Just an FYI, Mazda has said that they will cover flooded engines due to the rich fuel the ECU or PCM is pumping and the colder plugs in the car. Make sure you have the hotter plugs and get a re-flash to build "L" on your PCM. The only way the dealer would be able to void your warranty would be to prove that the K&N filter was the cause and since the filter would not keep the car from starting for any reason I can think of it is my opinion that they have to cover the cost 100%. I would also insist that they warranty the spark plugs and give you the hotter ones. I might P/M rotarygod or Canzoomer to see if they can give you more technical information as to why an aftermarket air filter wouldn't cause the flooded engine.

Also keep in mind that if you move your car short distances and have to shut it down before it's warm run it for about ten seconds between 3,500-4,500 rpms. this will help get some of the excess fuel out (the reason for the flooding). Remember this is happening to cars with stock air filters so it isn't probable for them to assume that your air filter was the culprit.

Oh and have a wonderful drive.

Thanks for taking the time to reply in such detail! I love the car, and enjoy the heck out of driving it; just gotta get this little glitch behind me.

Hey I am a new owner in Beaverton, and I am wondering if I need a flash and "hotter" plugs. I am kinda car ignorant, but this ride has inspired me to learn.

First thing you should do is read up on the flooding issues. Summary: always make sure your car is warm before shutting it down. Never start it, move it 6 feet (i.e., out of the garage into the driveway) and immediately shut it down. Let it idle, drive it around the block, etc. before you shut it down.

The plugs are on national back order, so you can't get them now. The reflash is supposed to help gas mileage, but ther is no technical or safety reason you "have" to have it - your car is fine as is (and if it's brand new it may already have it). The dealer probably won't give it to you anyway, unless you come in with a CEL.

1hot8 do you happen to drive the black 8 i have seen on rose biggi avenue next to the merry maids the last couple of days?

if not is this anyone else? i have seen the car parked but not the driver yet.

Hey Adam Ant,

Just curious if you are going to the St. Helens drive on the 27th?

Also, I assume by your name, that 80's music is of interest to you. I'm a 80's music freak.....just so your aware. heheheee

I hope to be able to attend the St. Helens event on the 27th, and I am a big fan of 80's music (graduated from high school in '83)...

Also - Any recommendations on rotary-knowledgeable mechanics in the area? I plan on modifying my RX with exhaust/computer/etc... and would like to know if you all have people you're comfortable recommending, other than the dealers.

Adam I highly suggest you give Ralph Friend a call at Groundzero motorsports. Top notch tuner/friend of mine. He'll spend the time it takes to get the car running right. CJ