My 2004 Mazda RX-8 has had starting trouble before, but in those cases replacing the battery did the trick. Now the car starts to turn over as if it wants to start but it
Won't catch. Smoke comes out of both tail pipes. I have plenty of juice (electric) because the dash lights and everything turns on just fine. Maybe I flooded it??
Help! I have 3/4 tank of premium gas and it's sunny and 70 degrees here in LA what is the deal?

 

Sounds flooded to me! Do the usual de-flood procedure and let us know how it goes.

 

'04s came with a wimpy starter.
Do you have the upgraded starter or are you still on the original?
Could have flooded because of the POS starter.

 

Things to do once started: new battery, new starter, new plugs, new coils. How many miles does your car have on it?

 

Also, deflooding DYI.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-deflooding-average-joe-plumber-182410/

 

what's a D.Y.I. ?
Don't Yell Indoors?
Do Yourself In? (sounds kinnda morbid)
Dumb Yellow Insects?

 

Still have original starter I believe. About 60k miles. Car spent first s years on the big island of hawaii with me and I shipped it over to L.A.
For current job. Has been starting just fine for months here in California until today. I am forced to use it as a daily driver since I bought my wife two cars and sold my
01 Nissan X-terra Thanks for all the help guys!

 

How many miles do you have on it? Have you replaced the spark plugs and coils?

Too bad you didn't catch TSB on starter and battery while you were under b2b warranty.

 

Yes, I believe it is still the stock starter but I have replaced the battery. So without performing major modifications to my engine and creating some de-flooding valve, is there another way to get it started? Will push starting do it? Dropping the clutch in 2nd at a brisk roll?

 

You can try that. But you dont have to add a "de-flooding valve" you can just remove the rubber nipples on the side of the intake manifold connect the rubber hose (you need to cut the black tape) connect it to one nipple at a time and well someone cranks it hit it with a few squirts. Move on to next nipple and repeat. Let sit then try to start her by cranking for 5 seconds at a time. Let cool for a min then repeat.

Or you can tuen the key and step on the gas peddle all the way, do that at the sametime! onetime only then try to geter going. That will get all the fuel out from what I read.

My friend just flooded his 8 and he got it going. But needed new plugs after.

Just cuz you can turn the key and the light go on dont mean the battire is good. Have it checked. But yeah sounds like you flooded it and keep in mind your going to need some new plugs after you geter going.
GL

 

Thanks for the advice and suggestions! I appreciate it!

 

DYI= Do yourself it. -__________________-