Rich Rx-8

My dealer has told me " rev to 3k rpm's, hold it for a few seconds, then remove your foot from the gas and turn it off at the same time letting the engine wind down every time you shut it off." And someone else said to " rev it to 3k rpm's for ten seconds then let it to return to idle then shut it off.
Anyone know which is the correct procedure ? Cause I can't get straight answers!

mysql101

Just rev it and before the rpms fall, turn off the ignition. The purpose is to spin some of that fuel out of the engine.


The 10 sec rev was only meant to be done when your car was not fully warmed up. But it doesn't help. My car flooded after doing the 10 sec rev. If you want to be safe, sit in your car a few minutes and wait till it's confortable before turning it off (Again, only applies when the car isn't warmed up fully)

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

Neither...

From what i understand,
Floor it, when it gets to 3k rpm, kill the ignition. Let the RPMs fall (youll feel the car shudder a little), then take your foot of the throttle. Keeping the throttle open will help to clear the vheicle and hence prevent flooding.

zoom44

read your manual and quick tips booklet?

Raptor2k

I personally just give a 5 second rev up to about 2k and immediately turn it off while letting off the gas, warm or cold. I notice better start ups this way. Again, I've never flooded. Btw, just yesterday, I accidently stalled about 10 seconds after I turned on the engine (while it was cold) because I was in gear but didn't know about it until I let the clutch go. Still have yet to flood, don't think I ever will....'03 build date.

Rich Rx-8

I haven't flooded yet. 8k miles. Just want to do it right and I don't ever want to flood.
"Dude" thanks for the info !!!!!!!!! You still didn't help me!!!!!!! Not directed to just you but, It's funny how people chime in to tell you to use the "search".

Raptor2k

I don't think shut offs matter. Just never turn it off with your engine temperature pointing all the way to the left.

Napboy

i hope you don't turn your 8 off like this every time. this procedure is only meant to prevent flooding if you're turning it off without it being warmed up first. i'm just clarifying, not trying to be condescending.

Rich Rx-8

Still no one really knows what to do?? Different answers accross the board, I feel like I'm at the dealership, thanks guys !!!!!!! And special thanks for the tip on, "reading the manual and quick tips booklet", that was really, really, helpful. Almost as good as the tip I got on using "search". Hahaha

Raptor2k

You're just asking to get flamed. There is no proven 'fact' for the best way to turn your engine on your off, try experimenting for yourself, and don't start bs.

mysql101

I can only show you the door. It's up to you to turn the door **** and walk through the door. Hopefully you also shut the door instead of leaving it ajar.



Anyway, don't let the "I never flooded" posts mislead you. I never flooded until recently - after two full years of ownership. I moved the car out of the garage (I was having fios installed at my house) and didn't have time to mess with the car... so I reved it for 10 sec, then switched it off. I couldn't start the car up later that day, or the day after. I had to wait till Monday to call a tow truck.

Rich Rx-8

Yeah thanks again guys!! And thanks Raptor for the "flamed" tip cause I don't even know what you're talking about.

BunnyGirl

I've heard lots of different answers for your question from lots of different people. I guess do what Zoom says and read your manual and quick start tips. I would do that but I don't have any to read since my car is still on order. Sorry.

Raptor has been a little moody lately, so pay no attention.

NoTears316

I've had my 8 since August 2003, over 33k miles on her now. Know what I do while I am shutting her down? Nothing! I dont do anything fancy, no revving, no flooring the accelerator, no voodoo tactics. Like you have already been told 3 times in this thread, the whole "rev" thing is only meant to be used when the car is being shut down before reaching warm-up temp, for example; moving your 8 out of the drive so someone else can leave, and parking it again immediately.

Raptor2k

K, feel free to learn the hard way

msrecant

I'm not going to flame you, nor tell you to search. I am not going to brag, argue or try to brow beat you into doing it "my" way. I am not going to give you a link to another of my posts in the forum. In fact, I will simply try to answer the question you asked.

First off, good question because it is confusing.

Listed below are the official Mazda recommendations. They are included in the Quick Tips guide that came with your car and were highlighted in a "Product Update" DVD Mazda sent out to many RX-8 owners last year. Mazda has been recommending basically the same thing ever since the RX-8 came to the US back in July 2003.

First, the Mazda recommendations are only for situations where the engine does not warm up normally. They recommend the following:

1. Never shut the engine off cold.
2. If you must make a short trip (like moving it out of the garage), use the following procedure:

- Start the car and let the engine stabilize
- Move the car
- Let the car idle until normal operating temp is reached or for 5 minutes
- Rev to 3000 RPM and hold there for 10 seconds
- Let the engine return to idle
- Shut off the car

For normal operation (where the engine fully warms up while driving) Mazda has no special recommendations: start the car, drive it, park it, turn it off.

As you have probably figured out, there are a lot of opinions on this issue. Many people agree with what Mazda recommends. Many people do not agree with what Mazda recommends. At this point there is no technically proven "right" answer.

Doing a serach on "3000 RPM" will let you explore these other ideas and then you can then decide for yourself whether to use Mazda's recommendations or someone else's.

1.3L

I must be leading a blessed life; I just shut my 8 off without any gymnastics... and it's never flooded.

1.3L

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

I would really be interested to hear why peoples techniques work, instead of "i havent flooded yet".

Serioulsy, if you want the answers... check out www.rx7club.com
They have many years of this under their belt.

-hS

RichardK

I've read this thread and there are answers. What's the problem? Want people to mush it up and spoon feed it to you?

Roaddemon

You should'nt need to do any of that if you have a strong battery and the new high cranking starter. Most these flood problems happen in cold winter climates. I never warm up my 8 and I move it short distances all the time. I only flooded once at 14k miles. Turns out my battery was weak and defective in 0* weather. I had my battery and starter replaced under warranty and have no problems since. Sometimes it cranks a little longer to start but it always starts.

msrecant

It is unproven that the latest Mazda changes to prevent/recover-from a flood eliminate the issue.

On the positive side, in three different Internet forums on the RX-8, I have found only one post where an RX-8 built after 3/22/2005 (includes all Mazda flooding changes) flooded after a short trip, but in that case the owner was able to restart the car without a tow to the dealer or other heroic measures (high speed tow, pulling plugs, injecting washer fluid, etc.).

However, the updated "Engine cranks - no start" TSB still recommends avoiding short trips.

Roaddemon

Maybe so but my rx8 has disproven the Tsb over and over again, so I totally ignore it. My 8 must be immune to it.

msrecant

You are correct, the actual behavior of any one specific RX-8 cannot be predicted and that this is true for cars both with and without the Mazda flooding changes.

Raptor2k

Atta boy.