Last Sunday I tried to start my car then it just wouldn't start. You can't imagine how frustrated I was since I hardly know anything about the mechanics of cars.. not to mention how incredibly disappointed I was in the Mazda RX8 because here in Australia, it was voted as 2003's Car of the Year! Haha.. some sort of car of the year this is... the fact that it would not start after only being 3 weeks old. Bloody disappointing...
I finally picked it up yesterday.. Mazda said the fuel line was 'flooded'.. I'm sure you guys know a lot about this and have posted threads of it.
How am I suppose to prevent this 'flooding' from happening again? I'm sorry for my ignorance..

 

let the car warm up a bit before turning it off

 

I have a suggestion - Read The Owners Manual - from this point forward I think we should have a 4 letter response to threads like these - RTOM. Sorry if it sounds harsh, but some of the issues would not have been issues if the owners manual had been read.


Marigold, you say you "hardly know anything about the mechanics of cars", which makes you a prime candidate for RTOM. Please take the time to do so, and while it might not win any literature awards, it is pretty informational.

 

hehk.. no worries dude, thanks

 

Get your M Flash.

 

Read this: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-022-04.html

I'm sure you have a corresponding programme for Australia.

 

M Flash

Also, in my line of work, the 4 letter acronym for reading the manual is RTFM ... you can figure out the F on your own ...

 

Aussie has a different flash. Yes, get the G flash.

 

6speed8, that is pretty harsh. I read my owners manual and my car flooded twice. One, the manual does not state how the flooding occurs. Also, if the car does not start, you first think, "oh, I'll just crank it a bit more". Then the thing is really flooded and you are pretty much doomed.

Give marigold a break, she just wants a car that starts. She doesn't want to follow procedures to prevent it or get is started after flooding. Modern cars are supposed to go and stop with little thought from the driver. We aren't driving Model T's anymore.

 

marigold, take anyone of the above mean responses and throw it on the barbie.

The rotary will not only flood, as described, but has other starting issues, especially when cold. have a good day

 

One word........................."Reflash"

 

Marigold... try the "search" button. This issue has been beaten to death, brought back and beaten to death several more times. If you try searching you will find LOTS of info on what causes flooding and how to prevent it.

rotarygod has given very good advice on how to prevent it without having to be concerned about warming up the car, etc. Put your foot to the floor (shutting off the fuel) and turn the engine over a few times, then let your foot off the gas. The beginning step will get rid of any leftover gas in the engine from before, and the second step gets it going.

The short of it is don't start the car up, move it from the garage to the driveway and shut it off. The next time you try to start it the chances of flooding are increased. Let it warm up or rev it up to 5k (?) for a min and then shut it off.

And make sure that you have the latest flash (engine firmware update) for your car.

 

What is really amazing is the dealer did not tell marigold how to prevent flooding. And you RTFM people. Did you read the manual to your microwave, lawn mower, computer, etc? If you read every manual you get, you would be spending your leisure time reading warnings and other crap.

 

I sure don't bother with appliance, toy, video game, or electronics manuals but I specifically read everything that came with my brand new 8. I reasoned that since I was only familiar with owning/operating 4cyl imports I should try to educate myself on any oddities associated with the wankel (this also led me to discover this lovely forum). The manual and supplemental cheat sheet (attached to the stick shift) covered cold starts, anti-flooding procedure, flooded starting, oil consumption, and how to put the car in reverse (all useful information IMO). I read the manual to protect my new vehicle from my ignorance.

 

I even read the FAQ's before posting here! :D

 

You think that is harsh? You may have read the manual, but apparently did NOT understand it. It is VERY clear in regards to the cold start/stop and flood issue. Marigold was cool about my post, so why aren't you? Yes, we are not driving model Ts, however the Rotary engine wasn't even invented when the Model T was in production. The Rotary engine is an infant in the world of internal combustion and as such needs to be understood and treated as such.

If people bought the RX-8 expecting to drive it like their piston engined car, they are sadly mistaken and DID NOT (let me repeat that) DID NOT do their homework.
I got my RX-8 for the technology and uniqueness, I understood the fuel mileage oil consumption concerns, and I agreed to deal with these issues.

It is getting a bit OLD reading about fuel mileage, oil consumption and cold start issues a full year after the car has been in production. The RX-8 is a GREAT car, but (as the ad says) "I'ts not your father's Oldsmobile" - lol.

This forum is a gold mine full of valuble information, but we waste alot of space and time rehashing KNOWN issues. Some of these would not be issues if the owners manual was READ and apparently UNDERSTOOD.

My appologies to whoever thinks this is harsh, I live in the real world - do you?

 

it is understandable that you flooded your rx-8. you say you know nothing about the mechanics of cars, especially rotary's i presume. this is why i tell people to learn more about the car before seriously considering purchase. not that i will pursuade you elsewhere, the rx-8 deserved that car of the year award. it also won engine of the year-2003. its a great car, you just have to take extra care of it.

read your manual thoroughly and warm up the car before turning it off again.

just a suggestion. try to do some reading on the renesis rotary.

 

thanks u guys.. regardless of all your read the f'n manual.. i will do so.. my big apologies. ouch. its hard being a typical chick.

p.s. thanks srm858

 

marigold,

No problem. I read the manual and I know a lot about cars. However, this is my first rotary. I read the information buried in the manual about flooding. I assumed this was some weird, rare occurence, because cars haven't flooded since fuel injection became standard.

Mine has not flooded since the software was updated and it got warmer. Hopefully this will continue thru winter. It is a great car and I love it, but it should never flood.

 

Chick? You're a lady girl? Now, guys don't you think you're being a little harsh here?

 

The issue of flooding due to lack of reading/understanding the manual has nothing to do with the sexes. In fact I'll wager more men have flooded their cars than women.