RX8 Lover

Hi All. New to this forum. I have loved the RX8 for years and finally going to purchase a 2007 Grand Touring (only 23k miles). Went to pick it up and the dealer said it wouldn't start. Engine turned over but would not start completely. Dealer said something like "not getting enough amps". Anyway gonna take a few days to fix and now I am questioning whether I should purchase this car as I have read about some folks having this sort of problem.

Anyone have any ideas what this might be?

Mazurfer

Could be a simple as a weak battery(not that unusual if not started for a long time) or could be that last person flooded it when they shut it down cold after moving it a short distance on the lot. Check the maintenance records for the car real good!

Worst case could be far worse. If really, really considering the car......even though an 07. I think if your insurance would cover it for a day(check that) AND the dealer would let you have it for a day so that your mechanic can check it out, I'd then take it somewhere else(another dealer) and get a compression check done. You could just ask the present dealer, but remember, they are trying to sell you the car. If they do run a compression check, then get the numbers from them and post them back here and we'll let you know.

You should get three readings from each of two rotors and these should be done at about 250 rpm's.

RX8 Lover

Thanks. They said its not the battery. In fact, the dealer started it up to move it like you said, turned it off, and then shortly after that started it up to put it though the car wash. Maybe he simply flooded it like you said. Does flooding happen a lot with these cars?

New Yorker

There are no particular starting problems with the '07 RX-8. Maybe it's flooded. That was easy to do with early RX-8s ('04, '05), but by '07 Mazda had put in a stronger starter and a bigger battery. Still, any 8 can flood if you turn off its engine before it has a chance to warm up (like if you start it when it's cold and turn if off after only, say, 30 seconds). Is this a Mazda dealer? If not, maybe they don't know how to start a flooded rotary engine.

So no, flooding is not considered an issue with '06+ models. I've had my '05 for five years and it has never flooded. Other '06+ owners will tell you the same.

Mazurfer

^.................he's right. And from what you now said, it sounds flooded.
I have an 05 and have never flooded mine, but then again, I know to NOT shut it off before it's warmed up.
My guess.....................flooded. Is this a manual or Auto?
Manual is easier to deflood than an auto.

RX8 Lover

Thanks. It's a manual and it is at Carmax....so the guy (older guy) probably had no idea that he could flood it. They are taking it to the Mazda dealer to look at. I hope its just a flooding issue.

Mazurfer

Print this out and hand it to them!



Easiest way to deflood a manual is to tow start it.......... ~18mph in second gear, let out clutch and when it starts, don't let it stall. Might be some smoke involved for a few seconds, then take it for a good long drive after warmed up!


Oh, and tell him you at least want new plugs in it after the flooding.............make sure he knows the leading and trailing are different!

Speed_8

see if he can lower the price more

Mazurfer

And................a new battery! So if just flooded, and they are taking it to a Mazda dealer, then have them put new plugs and a battery in it......just for the hell of it.

ken-x8

Like the others said, it's not that common with 06 and newer. But this is exactly the situation that Mazda describes in the Quick Tips manual, under short trip procedure. Never flooded mine, but I also never turn it off cold. I follow their procedure if I do have to just move it a short distance. Or I warm it by taking it for a spin around the block - always fun.

BTW - if you don't get the owner's manual and the quick tips manual with the car, you can download pdf versions by signing up at masdausa.com.

Kudos to Carmax for taking it to a Mazda dealer, rather than messing with it themselves.

Ken

Speed_8

yeah kens right, if you have to move it, take it around the block or leave it idling until the temp is almost at half ( what I do ) , you should go to the mazda dealer and see if other things are wrong, in case carmax wouldn't tell you

bowupsman

I have an 04 model that I bought new. A few years maybe in 06 I met a gentleman who had one that he had starting problems with and he said that Mazda had indeed developed a new starter, I think a heavier quicker spinning starter, and a larger battery for the rx8. Although I had never had an issue with mine he suggested I contact Mazda and see if they would retrofit mine with the updated parts. I wanted to pre-empt any problems I may have in the future. I did and they did free of charge. They also put new plugs in the car. The engine spun noticeably faster than before while starting.