Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

engine stutters ...and DIES

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Apr 18, 2008 | 04:12 PM
  #1  
DCNSX's Avatar
Thread Starter
www.mazdadrivers.com
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill, NC
engine stutters ...and DIES

my 8 just sputtered and died. uphill on a tight blind curve no less. two cars missd me and i was able to back down the curve and eventually get the car re-started. 5 minutes prior, i had attempted a pass, but midway thru, the engine sputtered and i lost power. car is an 04 with 65k miles. probably the fuel and air filters (and plugs and plug wires) were never replaced by the previous owner.

any ideas? can i get those 4 items above at any national auto parts chain?

THANKS in advance!!!!!
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2008 | 04:55 PM
  #2  
kersh4w's Avatar
Hit & Run Magnet
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,690
Likes: 3
From: DC Area
check plugs and ignition coils.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2008 | 06:24 PM
  #3  
Jax_RX8's Avatar
Got Another Rotary
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 608
Likes: 2
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Originally Posted by kersh4w
check plugs and ignition coils.
and plug wires.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2008 | 07:27 PM
  #4  
snowflakes's Avatar
.DriVeN.
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
any CEL?
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2008 | 10:06 PM
  #5  
DCNSX's Avatar
Thread Starter
www.mazdadrivers.com
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill, NC
snow- what is CEL?

I use my 8 as a daily driver- is a generic brand ok for plugs or should i go with NKG ? i'm just looking for something readily available (and relatively inexpensive) that works. are the plugs/coils/wires available anywhere (national chain) ?
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2008 | 10:44 PM
  #6  
fahrfegneugen's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 1
From: Wash/Idaho
CEL=Check Engine Light

It flashes when there is a misfire and stays on for other things.

How has the engine been otherwise?
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2008 | 01:24 AM
  #7  
alz0rz's Avatar
hakuna matata!
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,002
Likes: 3
From: NYC
dont skimp on plugs for this car dude.. get NGK.

can get them for $20 a pop at sparkplugs.com ... $80 for all 4.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2008 | 01:45 AM
  #8  
swoope's Avatar
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 14,603
Likes: 36
From: orlando, fl
Originally Posted by DCNSX
my 8 just sputtered and died. uphill on a tight blind curve no less. two cars missd me and i was able to back down the curve and eventually get the car re-started. 5 minutes prior, i had attempted a pass, but midway thru, the engine sputtered and i lost power. car is an 04 with 65k miles. probably the fuel and air filters (and plugs and plug wires) were never replaced by the previous owner.

any ideas? can i get those 4 items above at any national auto parts chain?

THANKS in advance!!!!!
yep that would be the fuel pump..

that is what happened.

but it is coil time also.. just to be safe.

beers
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2008 | 11:05 AM
  #9  
jtmhjh's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
I had a very similar problem yesterday. Going up a hill, not steep. Felt like it wouldn't go. Very weak acceleration. Got to a stop light, the engine sputtered, reved and died a couple times before stalliing. Then wouldn't start. About 3 minutes later it restarted and went although felt sluggish. Now in my garage it will start with alot of labor and idle very poorly, threatening a stall. Also vibrates and makes noise when idle drops below 1000 rpm.

I had noticed a couple times this week that acceleration felt weak but thought I had shifted into 6 instead of 4. The engine picked up again on reshift so I didn't pay much attention at the time. In hindsight I doubt I was in 6.

So Monday morning I get to either attempt to drive it to the Mazda dealership or tow it.

Have a 2005. 18,400 mileage.

Last edited by jtmhjh; Apr 19, 2008 at 11:08 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2008 | 12:53 AM
  #10  
Wingnut's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 13
From: Richmond, VA
I never did see an answer about the CEL being on or not so I don't know if this is related but today the car lost power on me as I was cruising at 45 in 3rd and a flashing CEL came on and stayed on. I drove about 3 blocks to a light and it stalled and died and would not restart after waiting 15 minutes for a tow I tried it again, it started, no CEL, and I drove straight to the dealer. Four more blocks the same thing happened and died. Tow truck came picked it up for the last mile to the dealer (although after sitting for 10 minutes it did start and drove on the flatbed tow truck). Now I just have to wait until Monday to find out the deal. I'm already online looking at coil, plugs, and wire prices. Hopefully that is it.
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2008 | 08:27 AM
  #11  
nycgps's Avatar
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19,881
Likes: 36
From: Planet Earth
^^ Its coils time.

I was cruising yesterday @ 70 mph for 2 hours, round trip = 4 hours. Runs like a champ
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 12:30 PM
  #12  
Wingnut's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 13
From: Richmond, VA
This is a repost of what I put in another thread, but it just for follow-up,
As suggested by others here, my car needed 2 new coils. They pulled a code P0301 "Front rotor misfire" and through "pinpoint" test found 2 coils not firing on rotor 1 leading and trailing.
I will be ordering the other 2 coils and plugs and wires for a DIY day as those coils appear to be time bombs. The car sure seems to be running well, I don't know if that was the coils or the MSP16, or both, but it I actually had to try to not break it loose in the rain on the way home.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
vapor2
West For Sale/Wanted
11
Nov 3, 2020 03:38 PM
Ccrosskno21
Series I Trouble Shooting
62
Jan 9, 2016 05:43 AM
harithac
New Member Forum
19
Aug 17, 2015 09:14 AM
Eirulisse
New Member Forum
13
Aug 15, 2015 12:34 PM
Bamaham
New Member Forum
2
Jul 23, 2015 08:08 AM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:21 PM.