Hi, I just bought my first rx8 about a week ago. It's a 2004 with 63k miles and runs fantastic. the only issue i've noticed though is that after I turn off the engine, if I try to start the car again within 5-10 minutes, it has to crank for quite a long time before it wants to start up.

When I brought it in for the inspection sticker it was taking so long to crank that the inspector thought there was something wrong with it. But he had no idea what a rotary engine was either.

It has to crank probably twice as long as a normal start and has no issues starting when it has been sitting overnight. Is this an issue of something I should have fixed or need to keep an eye on? Or is this a normal thing for a rotary?

 

trouble starting when its hot could mean low compression. take it to a dealer tell them whats going on and see if they will do a compression test. you could be in for a new motor. how old are your plugs, wires, coils? at/mt? btw if its the motor it should be covered under the 8yr/100,000mi warranty

 

I just purchased the car used, so I have absolutely no insight as to how old the coils/plugs are. But since I haven't noticed any other issues with how the engine is running or idling I have no reason to think they needed replacing. Its AT by the way, and I already called my local dealer and he confirmed that my engine is under warranty until 2016 or 100,000 miles.

 

You said its an '04 and warranty is good until 2016?

12 years? Get that **** in writing.

 

I'm positive that's what he said. He may have made a mistake and meant 2012 but yeah I think when I go to get a new key made i'll have to get that in writing. hah.

 

Definitely something wrong. Car started no problem today, i drove it to the gas station (it was warm when i got there) pumped my gas and the car really didn't want to start when it was time to go. I cranked it for about 8 seconds and nothing. Then a second time and it started.

I've never had a problem on a cold start. Its always after the car has been running. Just when I get gas, run in to a store for a few minutes, or something like that.

 

The usual suspects have already been mentioned. . .

The ignition system on this car isn't the greatest. The plugs tend to last 15-30k miles and the coils from 15-50k, it really varies.

However, most times you'll get a flashing check engine light under load.


I'd say just schedule your compression test first.

 

I see you're right in New Bedford, if you're going to take it to a Mazda dealership I'd seriously recommend O'Hara. They're right in Fairhaven close to Rt. 240. Always been good people to deal with.

 

The dealership takes a series of steps when trying to diagnose the problem based on these symptoms. This is coming directly from the head mechanic at the dealership where I am having my engine replaced as we speak. First they are going to ensure you have the new starter. Next they are going to want to replace your wires, coils, and plugs. If the problem still is not resloved they are going to replace the engine. During each step they will check the compression . Like I said if the first two fixes don't eleviate the problem they will replace the engine. I took my 8 in last Aug. for the same issue. They did a compression test and checked to see if I had the latest starter. (which I did) They also did a compression test. The results came back somewhat low the results were all in the mid 6's. Since the starter was fine they recommended to replace the plugs, wires , and coils which are not covered under a warranty unless you have a bumper to bumper. The new plugs, wires, and coils seemed to correct the problem for a while. The car is not my daily driver. I have only put about 1,700 miles on the car since last Aug. About 4 weeks ago I started having the same issues. I took it back to the dealer and they ran another compression test at no charge. The results came back and were the same as my last results . The dealership contacted Mazda USA and I am currently getting a new engine installed. As you ncan see they need to go throug the procedures passed down to them by Mazda USA but if you stick with it you will get yourself a new engine. My 8 is a 2005 and had 65,000 miles on it. I started having issues around 62,000 - 63,000.

 

Yep, O'Hara is a pretty good outfit as dealerships go.

Make sure you have the latter 2005 and on [faster spinning] Starter as well. It can often overcome the heat-induced lower compression.

It was a free upgrade (along with a stronger battery) under the b-to-b warranty, but of course all '04's and most '05's are now outside that window.

 

Thanks for the responses. I just bought my car from a dealer a few weeks ago and I have a 60 day dealer warranty where the dealer has to pay for all repairs. Whether that would cover things like plugs I can see why it might not but at least now I know its an issue that needs to be looked at. I'll get it looked at soon.

 

Ignition coils + Spark Plugs need replacement.

Engine could be bad too.

 

check oil in the intake.

 

I had the same problem as you are having, except I was also experiencing rough idle and stalling at high temps. I replaced the plugs and coils, and now it has been running very smoothly. I hope it stays this way. I have an 05 with 57k. I just bought the car used from a Mazda dealer in March. If you buy the coils online, they are very easy to install yourself, unless you are getting the plugs replaced too, then maybe your dealer could have some package pricing. I paid $279 for my plugs to be replaced, and I put new coils in myself. Good luck with everything, let us know what happens, because I feel your frustration, I went through he same thing the first 2 weeks I had this car.

 

Just got word from the dealer today. I'm getting a brand new engine!

 

Wow, so how long did it take them to test the car before deciding? How long will they have the car before you can drive it again?

 

^ Good to hear. What Mazda dealer did you end up going to?

 

I bought the car from Veracka motors in Brockton. Since it was still well within the first 60 days, I had to bring it back to them for any issues. After about 1 day of not being able to replicate the problem they sent it to the Mazda dealer. I'm assuming they brought it to the Brockton Dealer that's right down the street from them. I dont know for sure yet, I'll be getting the number tomorrow so I can speak directly to the people at Mazda.

It took the people at the Mazda dealer 2-3 days of putting in new parts and having them not solve the problem for them to tell me I needed a new engine.

I was told it would take about 10 days before it was ready. Now I'm hoping they'll give me a loaner or something cause that was my daily driver.

 

I knew you would get a new engine you were having the same problems as me.

 

Yeah, we even had about the same mileage. I really had trouble believing I could get a new engine over what seemed like a very small issue. Especially when I could easily have ignored this problem for a while. I'm a little overwhelmed at having to worry about breaking in a new engine though, haha.

 

Curious if you have heard anything about your car. Mine is supposed to be done this week. That will bring it to a month from drop off to pick up.

 

Haven't heard anything yet. The last thing I heard was that it should be done by the middle of this week, which would be 2 weeks from when I dropped it off. I'll have to call them in the morning.

I do not look forward to having to break in a new engine.

 

Glad I found this thread! Just bought a used ''04 AT RX-8 with 53k miles. Starts great when cold but can take a few seconds to start when it's warm. This includes just filling it with gas and
restarting. Any recommendations whether I should go through the exercise of replacing
spark plugs, coils, etc. before taking it in? I just replaced the oil and have plugs in hand.
Perhaps just take it in for a compression test...

 

Well, If you scroll up you can see I posted on this thread awhile ago, thinking it was my coils....it wasn't. Just like everyone else in this thread, I got my engine replaced. Car runs perfect now, no issues starting hot. If you replace your plugs, coils, wires and it still happens, your engine is toast.

 

Read this : https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/why-my-rx8-stalling-195904/

That is my thread explaining my mess of a story with my 8