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.

 

So you say the coolant light comes on and you want to know what to check..... hmmmmmm.... maybe COOLANT.

But your right it is a faulty sensor issue my car also does it.

 

Just like your oil, make sure the coolant fluid level in the reservoir is within limit. Monitor if there's a change. The sensor does get dirty and the only option besides changing the bottle is to keep an eye on the fluid level.

 

^^
Or get an water temp gauge.

 

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.

 

I suggest fix water temp gauge to play safe and must monitor your coolant...

 

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

 

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?

 

Replace the plugs, ignition wires and coils. RX-8 coils are notorious for failing. Common wisdon here is that they need to be replaced every 40,000 miles. (Which is when mine blew in a rather entertaining manner.)

Consider getting the BHR ignition kit.

Ken

 

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.

 

^....................man......60k, I hope you got coils at the ready.

 

Yes... I'm sure the drop in mpg is somewhat noticeable and all the un-burnt fuel will subsequently cook the Cat-converter, then eventually the engine.

 

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?

 

What were the CELs that the Autozone guy got? Check the plugs, make sure the wires are connected properly and while you are at it, see if your MAF/IAT and ESS sensors are clean.

 

Unplugged one partially and plugged the cap back in from the top of the engine. Hopped in the car 2 hours later and the CEL light is gone. Not sure if it was the cause or that was a random correlation.

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

 

That's a misfire code, just consider what the guy from Autozone hase suggested. Nevertheless, the BHR kit comes complete with plugs, wires, and the coils. On your drive back, get the engine up to 6-7,500 RPM; sometimes if it were the plugs, a blinking CEL will pop.