1st Flood this moring.
 

Well, I quess I was thinking this would never happen to me, but, this morning
the car would not start, not even using any of the de-choking methods. Had to call a wrecker to get it to the dealer. I hope they replace the battery, starter, and plugs.

Don't "hope". Call them and request all updates from the "Engine cranks no start" bulletin.

Print this out and hand it to your service writer:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...4-05-1448e.pdf

I did make it a point to bring up the SB and he said it would just depend on the VIN number range as to if they replaced all the parts in the SB? is that true?

Yes that is true. The issue is not whether you get the updates or not, it's whether you already have some/all of the updates installed. The VIN number indicates which updates are already be in your vehicle.

It will be interesting if they flood AFTER the starter update. I just got the starter/plug/battery update and the thing lights off like never before!

Mike

Oh, just to clarify. Mine never flooded, just printed out the TSB and said I had some slow cranks. All fixed under warrenty. Build 12/03, purchased 3/04, now has 18kmiles.

Mike

Just got the call, and they did do all the updates, starter, battery, plugs and ECU program, I'll pick it up in the morning....

Yeah, the dealer service centers love for Mazda to pay them to do all that. ;) Kudos to Mazda for addressing the problem.

Any idea why it flooded on you? Strange weather? Someone else's mistake?

I'm sure it was my fault I just jumped in it to back it out of the driveway and shut it off, without thinking about letting it warm up.

No worries - just was curious. I've come close to making that same mistake myself. Just wondered if there was some other flood-method I should be mindful of.

Guys, I just got my '05 on a dealer blow out. Killer deal...however, I have been hearing about this "flooding issue" and I am unclear as to what exactly the problem is. It floods if you don't let it warm up and you try to restart? Is this a problem only with 2004s? or all of them? Help me out. I don't know when I'll be back this way so if you drop me an email I would appreciate it. Love the car though.

Let me help you out my young Padawan Learner.
Flooding CAN be an issue but Mazda seems to have found ways to try and reduce the instances: new CPU flashes, new starter, new plugs, new car battery. Just remember that if you start your car, you MUST let it warm up for at least 5 minutes before shutting it down. (to be on the absolute safe side) 2004's seemed to flood more often (originally) but with the upgrades from Mazda, the number of floods has decreased dramatically.

There are hundreds of threads on flooding but that was the short version.
(and I also saved you from getting flamed since most people would have yelled at you to search)

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...darthfight.gif

Damn....I should be a mod. :rock:

The bottom line is to never cut the engine off while it is still cold otherwise you might have to have it towed to the dealer to get it started again. A typical flood is: start car, back out of garage, turn car off, come out next morning and car doesn't start, tow car to dealer.

Check the "Quick Tips" booklet that came with your car and you will see a "Short Trip Procedure", which you should follow if the engine has not run long enough to reach normal operating temp. Mazda has released a series of updates to older RX-8s that make flooding less likely and more recoverable. If your 2005 was built after March 2005 (check the driver's door jamb) then it has all the updates.

You'll also flood your engine if you try to start it a couple times if the battery is dead. Don't ask me why or how, but I flooded my engine and that's how.

Also, the service guy says to me, "It's ok to drive it past 6k every now and then." I practically shot the Diet DP out of my nose when he said that. If he only knew how I drove...... ;) :D:

hahahah. thats funny.