Is it time? hard starting rx8...
 

Well i've been having trouble starting lately on my rx8, it's a 2004 with 89k miles, and after it's hot and sits a few minutes it doesn't start on the first try, but almost always the 2nd. Yesterday was the first time it was cold and wouldn't start, took 3 tries. this morning again same problem, but started on 2nd try. Seems to run fine otherwise, no stumbling or dying at idle. Is it time to go to the dealer for a compression check or does it sound like a weak battery or starter? And what does the dealer charge for a compression check? want some idea so i don't get ripped off.

Thanks

Chris

My dealer charges $200, but most others seem to be a bit less than that. Usually somewhere in the $100-$200 range.

My 2006 had some issues with weak starting and a new battery did wonders.

My 2004 with 92k miles had some issues starting recently. I did some research on here and determined it was most likely the spark plugs or ignition coils. I had never changed the ignition coils, which most people seem to recommend every 30k miles. The spark plugs were last changed at 35k miles.

I ended up replacing the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and ignition coils. Car starts up great now. Those items might be something else to look at changing if you haven't replaced recently.

Im having issues with long starts and I recorded a video to show you guys. I searched around and my best guess is the starter. I have 75k and got a reman 1200 miles ago and its not suffering from ANY power loss and feels amazing when driving. Its just the long starts that are bothering me. MY plugs and coils were changed almost 17- 20k ago and i still have the original starter in my 04. It may just be the plugs that are causing weak ignition or maybe a coil is going bad. Any one care to crank up their volume and listen. Oh i almost forgot to mention i purchased a new battery almost 8 months ago and it was tested to be fine. Also checked the terminals and they're tight.

The one in the video is one of the shorter "long starts", ive had a few that took 2 tries. Tell me im not losing compression AGAIN lol.

^did you bother to read the link I posted directly above your post??

Link? Thats definitely not a link on my phone. I just tried to click it and its not doing anything. Links would also have a blue outline and that definitely doesn't (damn android). Maybe my browser is being funky, anyways thanks for the reply i guess...

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/2757/20111020104032.jpg

well, if you can see words, then look for the thread titled what I posted. It's in the tech garage...

Upgrade your starter. It's night and day. The starter sound on your video is exactly the same with my 8 (2004) when it has the old starter..

Thanks for the helpful response.

I found some trailing plugs designed to remedy this...changed all four and noticed a difference...Got them with mazdatrix part #RE6C-L. Lead plugs are RE7C-L. Get 2 of each. Also had done a new battery and starter but only these plugs helped the problem...I had same # of mileage, same year car and also had to do coil packs and plug wires. Not cheap but I'm a girl and even i did this myself...easy.

All cats love fish, but hate to get their paws wet

Sounds like a weak starter to me. Here are some clips on how I got mine starting right, might help....

My 2004 RX-8 GT is in the shop as we speak because of the exact same issue: problems starting when the engine is warm. Something else to check for is loss of power after driving for 60+ minutes (particularly in the lower end of the gear).

At first, my dealer dismissed this as my issue because I wasn't revving the engine to 5K before shutting it down. But after complaining (via their maintenance survey) they agreed to re-check the vehicle and determined that it was a coil and leading spark plug issue.

These days I don't know whether they're bullshitting me or not, but I've already had the starter replaced (can't remember if this was via recall, but there was a recommendation to replace for cold weather). So I'm hoping this resolves the warm starting issue. Sounds like your issue might be a bit different because it's happening when the engine is cold.

Good luck. I'll let you know how it goes.

Glad i could help add 3 (pointless) posts to your count :)

:uhh:

Well, to add to my saga. The dealership replaced the leading plugs, leading coils and wires -- indicating that was the problem with my engine starting when it was warm.

Drove it off the lot and 20 minutes later, revved it to 5k then shut it down and walked into a store for 3 minutes.

Came out and it didn't start. Waited 20 minutes, then it started.

If anyone has an idea wtf this problem is, please let me know because the dealer sure doesn't. I'm taking it in for the 4th time tomorrow.

It sounds like the dealer is bullshitting you. I have an 04 as well and they came with a 1.3kw starter which is relatively weak. I upgraded to the 07 2kw starter and it starts every time on the first try. You could jack up the car and get a look at the starter to find exactly which model you have. I bought my starter from the autozone website, I got the 2kw duralast starter. 1.3 Litters of Fury has a video on the upgraded starter.

Not trying to beat you up, but the warmer plugs which are the 6's need to be in the leading position. The leading position is the lower plug hole. The rotor housings are designed w/ a smaller hole for the trailing plugs. If you put the warmer plugs in the trailing location you will cause more heat around the plug in the rotor housing and it can increase the chances of cracking the chrome liner around the spark plug hole in the rotor housing. New plugs and wires will help on a slow starting issue.

Also if you want you can run the older rx7 plugs as well. Before anyone says it isn't doable I'll post pictures later. You can get 6 and 8 heat ranges in the older plugs and they will work nicely and will save you $50.

I did get the starter upgrade as well a while back.

After replacing the leading coils/plugs/wires AND doing a decarb, the car seems to start properly now. But it still takes 2 seconds longer than I remember.

Maybe it's just getting old?