Engine Coolant Level Warning
#1
Engine Coolant Level Warning
Before you flame me, I've been working on a business plan for class that I had to completely redo (new idea) so I haven't had time to research this fully. I did 2 months ago but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything.
Basically, I've never driven my 04 rx8 (94k miles) for more than 45 minutes straight (stop and go). When I'm cruising in 6th gear, at 60 mph, after 10 minutes or so, the engine coolant level warning light comes on. If I come to a stop and go to shift, it generally goes away and pops up 2 minutes later.
Tomorrow, I have a 4 hour drive (90% highway) and that light is definitely going to be on. The previous owner (relatively good guy) said there was nothing wrong with it, just a bad sensor or something.
Is there anything I need to be careful of, do differently, or check before the drive tomorrow?
Again, sorry for my lack of self-research. I need to be spoonfed this one. Back to school work.
Basically, I've never driven my 04 rx8 (94k miles) for more than 45 minutes straight (stop and go). When I'm cruising in 6th gear, at 60 mph, after 10 minutes or so, the engine coolant level warning light comes on. If I come to a stop and go to shift, it generally goes away and pops up 2 minutes later.
Tomorrow, I have a 4 hour drive (90% highway) and that light is definitely going to be on. The previous owner (relatively good guy) said there was nothing wrong with it, just a bad sensor or something.
Is there anything I need to be careful of, do differently, or check before the drive tomorrow?
Again, sorry for my lack of self-research. I need to be spoonfed this one. Back to school work.
#5
Awesome thanks guys. After some researching, that is what I found. I just wanted to make sure my car doesn't explode on the trip today!
Btw, I need to post some rx8 **** later.
Btw, I need to post some rx8 **** later.
#7
Registered
Yes - both. A real temperature gauge is nice to have, but it's not a substitute for keeping an eye on the coolant level. Just take a look whenever you're under the hood checking the oil.
Ken
Ken
#8
Well all the levels were good... but the drive, not so much.
I was cruising at 85mph up a hill in 6th gear and stepped on the peddle, torque dropped almost instantaneously and I could feel it. I let go of the gas and the CEL light popped on. I pulled in the clutch and went to neutral and to the side of the road. The light went off within 1 minute. I cruised at 75 from then on until...
2 hours later, literally the exact same situation but the CEL light never turned off. It was still on today. Took it to Autozone and it has a multiple misfire code. Guy said it was most likely plugs, wiring, or ignition coil.
The car has 93k on it and is an 04 (original motor). It had a compression test 800 miles ago (before I bought it) and everything was inspected (all was good except brakes needed to be replaced soon).
Thoughts?
I was cruising at 85mph up a hill in 6th gear and stepped on the peddle, torque dropped almost instantaneously and I could feel it. I let go of the gas and the CEL light popped on. I pulled in the clutch and went to neutral and to the side of the road. The light went off within 1 minute. I cruised at 75 from then on until...
2 hours later, literally the exact same situation but the CEL light never turned off. It was still on today. Took it to Autozone and it has a multiple misfire code. Guy said it was most likely plugs, wiring, or ignition coil.
The car has 93k on it and is an 04 (original motor). It had a compression test 800 miles ago (before I bought it) and everything was inspected (all was good except brakes needed to be replaced soon).
Thoughts?
#9
Registered
Guy said it was most likely plugs, wiring, or ignition coil.
Consider getting the BHR ignition kit.
Ken
#10
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Puyallup, WA
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Replace the plugs, ignition wires and coils. RX-8 coils are notorious for failing. But it does depend on how you drive it and maintain it, I still have all my original coils and wire with 60,000+ miles, but I don't drive my car all the time, Right now it sleeping in my garage for the fall and winter time, plus a do have a bluetooth go point technology BT1, that goes on your OBD 2 connector, that way a can monitor coolant temp and miss fire, ect, ect, and at the first sing of a miss fire I will change the coil and spark plug wire.
#13
So I called the dealership it was always serviced at in Wilmington. He said all 4 of the ignition coils were replaced at 79k miles (14k miles ago).
The problem is, I'm in Winston-Salem (4 hours away) until Sunday.
I could wait till Monday to have it checked and make the drive home OR get the BHR Ignition set rushed shipping, get it to Winston-Salem by Saturday, install it myself, and drive home Sunday.
The only issue is, if something is wrong I'm stuck in the wrong city.
Thoughts?
The problem is, I'm in Winston-Salem (4 hours away) until Sunday.
I could wait till Monday to have it checked and make the drive home OR get the BHR Ignition set rushed shipping, get it to Winston-Salem by Saturday, install it myself, and drive home Sunday.
The only issue is, if something is wrong I'm stuck in the wrong city.
Thoughts?
#15
Ironically, BHR already shipped the ignition kit out. Looks like I'm going to have an extra upgraded ignition kit. I guess I'm going to have a weekend project back in Wilmington.
The code was P0300. I honestly don't even know what those sensors are, but I'll google it
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