it almost happened today, first time i put 93oct in my 8 usually i use mid grade .this morning i had trouble getting it started &thought i flooded the damn thing but it finally started .for now on no more super for me it's mid grade

 

um, you can't honestly tell us that you believe that premium gas is the result of your "almost" flooding????

 

I've been putting 93 octane in mine since I bought it last month. Over 2000 miles and no sign of any flooding. On one or two occasions I have had it take that extra tiny bit of time to fire off but nothing that's gotten me overly concerned.

 

High octane could cause harder starts. Makes the gas slower to ignite. Harder starts and perhaps flooding if the fuel does not burn off quickly but enters combustion chamber perhaps "could" cause flooding.

But....most likely it just took a few times to start like most cars do sometimes and because we are all flood paranoid we think each time the car wont start the first time that it is flooded.

 

I've run 93 in mine for a month with 2700 on the clock and not had a problem. You could have gotten a bad batch of gas, but a really doubt it was simply the octane rating.

 

Its possible that changing from the gas you have always used could cause it to be a little rougher. I put only premium in my car and once when I put in mid-grade my idle was rougher and I could tell a difference in power (less). I don't think it is just the fuel that is causing it but the fact that your computer has not calibrated itself for the new fuel yet.

 

I've had a couple rough starts in my 1000 miles.

The engine cranks....and cranks.....and cranks...and FINALLY slowly tumbles its way started.

Lots of ambient fuel smell when this happens. As a note, I've never EVER shut my engine down cold.

 

I also only use Premium - once got a bad batch from Chevron - thought it was the Techron - once or twice had a rough start where I didn't think it was going to but then did. Has me a little skitzy - never really feel confident. Also concerned when I'm running errands around town and running to this and that shopping plaza that if they're too close and I don't go far enough before shutting it off then it won't start again. Am I just being paranoid? Love my RX-8 - lol - with all it's quirkiness - I'm having so much fun with it.

 

MyLadyDeb - Once the car reaches operating temp (or the temp gauge moves even a tick or two), you shouldn't have any problems making short trips, stopping and starting over and over again. That is not the scenario where people report flooding. Really, relax and enjoy the car. Flooding has been blown all out of proportion.

mm

 

hey MM - thanks for the quick post. I guess coming from 3 years in a Lexus ES-300 where you just turned the key and the car started it's taken a little get used to the different type of start. No problem enjoying the car....I love driving it.