Fuel Starve
#1
Fuel Starve
I'm trying to determine if I have a unique fuel starvation issue or if this is common to all RX8's before I tear into the fuel system on the car. Any input/experience would be appreciated.
- We have now had the problem on three different Solo courses this year with 180 degree or greater left hand turns including the Newport Pro event and a test-n-tune at Grissom this weekend. We determined that the car must have 3/4 of tank or more fuel onboard to prevent the fuel starve when accelerating away from the 180+ corner (occurs about 50 to 100 feet after the corner exit). It's consistent and gets worse with successive runs as the fuel load is reduced.
- The thing that really has us scratching our heads is, the car was run at 12 plus events last year plus a tire test which included skidpad work in the counter clockwise direction and no fuel starve was noticed running the fuel level down to 1/8th tank. The fuel starve appears to happen much sooner now?
- I realize it is common for the car to fuel starve once the low fuel light comes on and the pick-up is located in the lefthand saddle tank but I have not found any other instances of fuel starvation on the forum above 1/2 tank. The fuel gauge operation was also checked.
Any thoughts ?
Thanks-
Chris H
2006 RX8 Sport, Base Model
- We have now had the problem on three different Solo courses this year with 180 degree or greater left hand turns including the Newport Pro event and a test-n-tune at Grissom this weekend. We determined that the car must have 3/4 of tank or more fuel onboard to prevent the fuel starve when accelerating away from the 180+ corner (occurs about 50 to 100 feet after the corner exit). It's consistent and gets worse with successive runs as the fuel load is reduced.
- The thing that really has us scratching our heads is, the car was run at 12 plus events last year plus a tire test which included skidpad work in the counter clockwise direction and no fuel starve was noticed running the fuel level down to 1/8th tank. The fuel starve appears to happen much sooner now?
- I realize it is common for the car to fuel starve once the low fuel light comes on and the pick-up is located in the lefthand saddle tank but I have not found any other instances of fuel starvation on the forum above 1/2 tank. The fuel gauge operation was also checked.
Any thoughts ?
Thanks-
Chris H
2006 RX8 Sport, Base Model
#3
Thanks Mark -
That's pretty much where I'm at. It's just strange that if their was a flow restriction or a weak pump that the car would still perform well under full throttle for extended periods (Pro Solo Launch etc). The only time it occurs is following the hard, sustained lefthanders...
That's pretty much where I'm at. It's just strange that if their was a flow restriction or a weak pump that the car would still perform well under full throttle for extended periods (Pro Solo Launch etc). The only time it occurs is following the hard, sustained lefthanders...
#7
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I've always used the low fuel light as a "fuel starve indicator" when autocrossing, but I was suprised to find that I could fuel starve the car with about 1/3rd of a tank during long duration left hand turns at track days.
Yours still seems excessive Chris. I'd say it's time to call Mazdacomp and order a new fuel pump.
Yours still seems excessive Chris. I'd say it's time to call Mazdacomp and order a new fuel pump.
#14
Update - I installed a new, stock fuel pump sourced from the great guys at Mazdaspeed ($100 for Mazdaspeed members) a couple of weekends ago. Removing the plastic ring is a challenge without the factory tool, but once it's off, everything is very straight forward.
This weekend was the first opportunity I had, at a solo event, to see if the fuel starvation was corrected. With the fuel light just turned on, I am now able to make a 180 degree left turn again (at max g load) without starving out during WOT acceleration.
I can only assume that something internally in the pump malfunctioned or became restricted over the winter months.
Chris H
This weekend was the first opportunity I had, at a solo event, to see if the fuel starvation was corrected. With the fuel light just turned on, I am now able to make a 180 degree left turn again (at max g load) without starving out during WOT acceleration.
I can only assume that something internally in the pump malfunctioned or became restricted over the winter months.
Chris H
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